Antler Mount

deanf · November 3, 2000, 09:34 PM

So I got this deer and I want to preserve the antlers.

Any special procedures for separating the skull bone around the antlers? My goal is a "skull cap", if you will, connecting the antlers. From there I may mount it with one of those kits . . . or maybe not.

------------------
"Anyone feel like saluting the flag which the strutting ATF and FBI gleefully raised over the smoldering crematorium of Waco, back in April of ‘93?" -Vin Suprynowicz

SnakeLover · November 3, 2000, 09:48 PM

If you want to mount it, it is important to keep the antlers attached to the skull plate. Easiest way is to use a hack saw or recipricating saw and cut down into the eye socket at 90 degree angle from above and back of skull. You can cut it closer to the pedestal if you want, just more likely to crack the skull plate.

Very nice blacktail, you done well!

Snake

Art Eatman · November 4, 2000, 12:37 AM

I've always used a carpenter's wood saw, and made one cut at an angle from an inch or so behind the horns, under them and then out the front. You clear the eyes okay...

This gives you a flat surface to mount against the plaque.

FWIW, Art

deanf · November 4, 2000, 01:44 AM

So if I use the Art Eatman method, is it solid bone that I'm cutting through the whole way, or are there voids in there? Say the cranial vault where the brain is?

Art Eatman · November 4, 2000, 01:58 PM

Yeah, you'll cut off about 1/4 of the brain. Since I never pay much attention, I disremember if you cut a bit of ear while you're at it. Anyway, let it dry and then the skin is easily peeled off.

I usually get my plaques from WalMart.

Indoors, the antlers don't bleach out. In my family, it was customary to just nail them to the garage, or inside the garage to the rafters...They bleach out white in a year or so.

Art

[This message has been edited by Art Eatman (edited November 04, 2000).]

bergie · November 5, 2000, 01:42 PM

I found some much nicer plaques at K-mart than at Wal-mart, solid oak rather than the particle-board fake wood-grain print stuff they have. Price was cheaper also.
"European mounts" which leave the skull (minus lower jaw) intact and bleached out are interesting also, and they don't need a plaque.
bergie

deanf · November 5, 2000, 09:55 PM

Eewwe . . . brain. My wife heard me sawing in the garage and said "I'll just yell through the door when dinner's ready." She knew what I was up to.

Art Eatman · November 5, 2000, 10:04 PM

Well, if you cut the horns off when you field dress the deer, or butcher him out at camp, you can have brains and eggs for brunch.

, Art

November 3, 2000, 09:34 PM	#1
deanf Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: N47º 12’ x W122º 10' Posts: 1,599	So I got this deer and I want to preserve the antlers. Any special procedures for separating the skull bone around the antlers? My goal is a "skull cap", if you will, connecting the antlers. From there I may mount it with one of those kits . . . or maybe not. ------------------ "Anyone feel like saluting the flag which the strutting ATF and FBI gleefully raised over the smoldering crematorium of Waco, back in April of ‘93?" -Vin Suprynowicz

November 3, 2000, 09:48 PM	#2
SnakeLover Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Mechanicsville, VA USA Posts: 302	If you want to mount it, it is important to keep the antlers attached to the skull plate. Easiest way is to use a hack saw or recipricating saw and cut down into the eye socket at 90 degree angle from above and back of skull. You can cut it closer to the pedestal if you want, just more likely to crack the skull plate. Very nice blacktail, you done well! Snake

November 4, 2000, 12:37 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've always used a carpenter's wood saw, and made one cut at an angle from an inch or so behind the horns, under them and then out the front. You clear the eyes okay... This gives you a flat surface to mount against the plaque. FWIW, Art

November 4, 2000, 01:44 AM	#4
deanf Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: N47º 12’ x W122º 10' Posts: 1,599	So if I use the Art Eatman method, is it solid bone that I'm cutting through the whole way, or are there voids in there? Say the cranial vault where the brain is?

November 4, 2000, 01:58 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Yeah, you'll cut off about 1/4 of the brain. Since I never pay much attention, I disremember if you cut a bit of ear while you're at it. Anyway, let it dry and then the skin is easily peeled off. I usually get my plaques from WalMart. Indoors, the antlers don't bleach out. In my family, it was customary to just nail them to the garage, or inside the garage to the rafters...They bleach out white in a year or so. Art [This message has been edited by Art Eatman (edited November 04, 2000).]

November 5, 2000, 01:42 PM	#6
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 1999 Posts: 567	I found some much nicer plaques at K-mart than at Wal-mart, solid oak rather than the particle-board fake wood-grain print stuff they have. Price was cheaper also. "European mounts" which leave the skull (minus lower jaw) intact and bleached out are interesting also, and they don't need a plaque. bergie

November 5, 2000, 09:55 PM	#7
deanf Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: N47º 12’ x W122º 10' Posts: 1,599	Eewwe . . . brain. My wife heard me sawing in the garage and said "I'll just yell through the door when dinner's ready." She knew what I was up to.

November 5, 2000, 10:04 PM	#8
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Well, if you cut the horns off when you field dress the deer, or butcher him out at camp, you can have brains and eggs for brunch. , Art