antler prep
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Elder User
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From: Quinton NJ
antler prep
hey guys got a 6 pointer about a month ago and a nice 7 pointer a few weeks ago. I dont have the money to get them professionally mounted by a taxidermist. i have removed the skull cap already and need to get the membrane off. i have read about different methods of preparation online (boiling, burying, etc), but just wanted some more opinions. thank you for any info shared
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From: Moonlight Moose Enclosure
I am not sure but will watch closely what follow ups there are as I have to clean my daughters show pony (we had to put down fourth of july week) skull and various other bones. We have had it laid out in secure area since then and now that all the "stuff" is gone I get to clean etc. May be like what you have to do correct?
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I was told once certain beetles are good for the bone cleaning. Work cheap, too, move on when done....
Check here, more info that you want....
The Bone Room - FAQ: About Bones
Google "antler preparation" and come up with this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/h...ring_DMulligan
and a host of others.
Be sure to pick the lead out if you're eating right up to the bullet hole.....
Check here, more info that you want....
The Bone Room - FAQ: About Bones
Google "antler preparation" and come up with this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/h...ring_DMulligan
and a host of others.
Be sure to pick the lead out if you're eating right up to the bullet hole.....
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: Mexifornia
If you already removed the skull cap but still want to do a European mount (its what I do for my smaller bucks) as we speak I'm doing it for my sons first buck, you can buy the Mountian Mikes European mount kit from Cabelas, they work very well and are easy.
For European mounts I usually save the whole skull with antlers on it: and this is what you do:
1-take all the external flesh off with scaple or razor blade.
2-wrap the anltlers good, in alumium foil.
3-position in a bucket of water so that ALL or as much of the skull is covered, but not much or any of the antlers if possible.
4- Let soak for 4-5 weeks and keep the water covering the skull -CAUTION it will stink!!!
5- keep out of reach of animals during this time.
6- After about 5 weeks (longer in the cold) take it out and hose it off under pressure. Wear gloves and don't get on you because it will be GROSS...but most of the brains and such will pour out and the lower jaw should fall of. WATCH for any and all parts including teeth.
7- After a good rinsing, rewrap and exposed antler with aluminum foil and start over with freah water for anothe 5 weks or so (it goes faster in the spring and summer)
8-Now the second time you dump and wash it should be toatlly clean and most teeth witll fall out-save them.
9- In advance aquire hydrogen peroxide from the hair dresser...out here its about $26 a gallon which is what you will need for and average sized deer skull.
10- Find a container that you can submerge the skull in, yet cover it with the peroxide, which will require smaller than most buckets (do this well ahead of time, because the skull will stink bad until its been put into the peroxide)
11- leave the skull and all the teeth etc. in the hyrdogen peroxide for 2-8 hours...less on a sunny day: 2 things will happen it will turn white and it will no longer smell when your done. NOTE: DO NOT get any on the antlers-if you do you'll need to buy an antler stain.
12. remove dry in the sun and reassemble the skull and teeth with glue...you may or may not wish to keep the lower jaw (I do not).
13. after drying the glue either seal with a clear spray sealant or flat white paint...use some jewlers wire and hang! NOTE: mask off the antlers prior to painting and or sealing.
The sealant or paint keeps the skull from turning real yellow- with the sealant it with slightly yellow...kind of a natural color.
The foil on the antlers while soaking keep their natural color, otherwise the sun will bleach them white.
This come from the Smithsonean Institute of Natural History where my friend trained. They do also you beetles, maggots, and ants, but this provides the easiest and most thourough cleaning, the bacteria do it all, but you have to be patient.
For European mounts I usually save the whole skull with antlers on it: and this is what you do:
1-take all the external flesh off with scaple or razor blade.
2-wrap the anltlers good, in alumium foil.
3-position in a bucket of water so that ALL or as much of the skull is covered, but not much or any of the antlers if possible.
4- Let soak for 4-5 weeks and keep the water covering the skull -CAUTION it will stink!!!
5- keep out of reach of animals during this time.
6- After about 5 weeks (longer in the cold) take it out and hose it off under pressure. Wear gloves and don't get on you because it will be GROSS...but most of the brains and such will pour out and the lower jaw should fall of. WATCH for any and all parts including teeth.
7- After a good rinsing, rewrap and exposed antler with aluminum foil and start over with freah water for anothe 5 weks or so (it goes faster in the spring and summer)
8-Now the second time you dump and wash it should be toatlly clean and most teeth witll fall out-save them.
9- In advance aquire hydrogen peroxide from the hair dresser...out here its about $26 a gallon which is what you will need for and average sized deer skull.
10- Find a container that you can submerge the skull in, yet cover it with the peroxide, which will require smaller than most buckets (do this well ahead of time, because the skull will stink bad until its been put into the peroxide)
11- leave the skull and all the teeth etc. in the hyrdogen peroxide for 2-8 hours...less on a sunny day: 2 things will happen it will turn white and it will no longer smell when your done. NOTE: DO NOT get any on the antlers-if you do you'll need to buy an antler stain.
12. remove dry in the sun and reassemble the skull and teeth with glue...you may or may not wish to keep the lower jaw (I do not).
13. after drying the glue either seal with a clear spray sealant or flat white paint...use some jewlers wire and hang! NOTE: mask off the antlers prior to painting and or sealing.
The sealant or paint keeps the skull from turning real yellow- with the sealant it with slightly yellow...kind of a natural color.
The foil on the antlers while soaking keep their natural color, otherwise the sun will bleach them white.
This come from the Smithsonean Institute of Natural History where my friend trained. They do also you beetles, maggots, and ants, but this provides the easiest and most thourough cleaning, the bacteria do it all, but you have to be patient.
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