I decided to convert a wall pedestal of my Mule Deer to a floor pedestal to save wall space. A buddy built the pedestal out of old barn wood and I am trying to create a habitat similar to where I shot the deer ...but it is missing something. I have to paint the Yucca plant green again, but what else can I do to make this look more realistic?

Throw a shed antler on it. White or brown, whatever you think looks best. It will take up space and look nice. An average sized 3 point or a small 4 point would not over-power the habitat.

Place a small antler and lichen covered rock in there. FYI Those grasses and sage with fall apart soon and be dust on the floor if they were not preserved/ sealed and the dirt will attract bugs if not poisoned and or sealed. Looks nice otherwise.

I owned a taxidermy shop for several years and have done lots of habitats.

To me, adding an antler makes it look like you wanted to add something to the scene because it didn't look right. Although it could be "natural", most people will never see a dropped antler laying on the ground.

To me there are two separate things to look at in your presentation as you have it now . . . you have the deer and you have the base. I think if you added some height to the habitat it would tie the deer and the base together.

I would find a piece of gnarly wood that adds some height to the base. Let the wood come up alongside the shoulder of the deer and maybe have a little bit of tall grass growing up through it. I would also put more small stuff on the base - leaves, rock, etc. The short stuff toward the front, medium stuff in the middle, and the taller stuff to the back.

I've found that a great ground cover is to take a handful of grass (longer grass works best), hold it over the scene, and snip the ends off with scissors - allowing the small, cut pieces to fall on the bare dirt. Don't try to arrange it - just let it fall where it may.

Once you have everything the way you like it, mix some Elmers glue about 50/50 with water and spray the habitat well with a squirt bottle. That will secure everything together and seal it.

You're on the right track, though.

Good luck and let's see a photo of the finished product.

JDS