antlers

[bnsafe]

what do you guys do with your antlers. I will either cut them into two separate antlers and put them in the corner of my man cave like my pronghorn horns, or cut skull and keep them together with a little skull, or do a European mount. and if you cut them what do you use. cant imagine a saw doin much.

[Buglemaster]

Scott, a saws all with the right blade does a good job, or see if you can get ahold of a meat saw. One cut behind the horns straight down about 3" , and then angle from the outside of each side of the horns down into a v between the eyes. Your just cutting a triangle. The scull cap will just pop right off when you cut deep enough. Congrats are in order if that was your bull Brad posted the pic of.

[Washington Wapiti]

I'm doing a Euro. It should be quite the learning experience I'm sure! The head/rack has been soaking in my brothers little pond on his property while we were deer hunting last week. Won't be able to get to it until this weekend.

No, the antlers are not submerged.

[bnsafe]

thanks guys, think im gonna do a euro. even though he was a raghorn I really wanted to mount him and was gonna, until I started dressing him out and couldn't get him turned right to get the hide cut back far enuf to get it. kinda bummed cause I really wanted it mounted, oh well.

[Washington Wapiti]

thanks guys, think im gonna do a euro. even though he was a raghorn I really wanted to mount him and was gonna, until I started dressing him out and couldn't get him turned right to get the hide cut back far enuf to get it. kinda bummed cause I really wanted it mounted, oh well.

I hear ya! I wanted to do this too . . . I was already so overwhelmed with the task of quartering, hiking it a mile back to camp, deboning, and then lugging it down another 1.5 miles down to the rigs, I said FORGET IT!

[bnsafe]

Washington, that's EXACTLY where i was at. wish i couldna got it done, but couldnt

[aron]

thanks guys, think im gonna do a euro. even though he was a raghorn I really wanted to mount him and was gonna, until I started dressing him out and couldn't get him turned right to get the hide cut back far enuf to get it. kinda bummed cause I really wanted it mounted, oh well.

bnsafe, check with local taxidermists if you are wanting a shoulder mount, if the antlers are still intact, they can take a hide off a different elk if they have one available. A lot of taxidermists will look for good hides from other people who aren't using them for reasons like this.

[bnsafe]

thx aron, i will check

[Washington Wapiti]

Washington, that's EXACTLY where i was at. wish i couldna got it done, but couldnt

It's something aint it?? And you did it SOLO. At least I had help from my brother getting the quarters back to camp and then down to our vehicles after I deboned. Man. Can't wait to hear your story! Nice to know I'm not the only one that got their a$$ kicked! LOL

[Washington Wapiti]

thanks guys, think im gonna do a euro. even though he was a raghorn I really wanted to mount him and was gonna, until I started dressing him out and couldn't get him turned right to get the hide cut back far enuf to get it. kinda bummed cause I really wanted it mounted, oh well.

bnsafe, check with local taxidermists if you are wanting a shoulder mount, if the antlers are still intact, they can take a hide off a different elk if they have one available. A lot of taxidermists will look for good hides from other people who aren't using them for reasons like this.

Good idea!

[aron]

hey bnsafe, what did you decide to do with the bull?

[bnsafe]

im embarrassed to tell you that the taxidermist had a cape so im mounting him. I know hes to small by a long ways, but this was a bucket list dream that took me 42 years to accomplish. this small bull means more to me than a 350 somewhere. thanks for letting me know bout extra capes.

[aron]

Hey that's awesome! Glad you were able to find a cape. Im pretty sure this quote right here justifies your decision to do a mount. It's not always about the size but the hunt itself and the memories. The hard work that goes into a diy hunt and to succeed is an accomplishment in it self.

this was a bucket list dream that took me 42 years to accomplish. this small bull means more to me than a 350 somewhere.

[Washington Wapiti]

Man, now you guys got me thinkin! Aron, thanks for the tip, I didn't know that was even an option . . . good to know for the future.
Bnsafe, what a great way to immortalize your hunt and first elk. Definitely be proud of your mount, it is an achievment and a trophy regardless of size. I wonder how much extra it is to have them supply the cape? When will they have it done? I'd love to do that, but may just keep it as a euro. Here are a couple pics I took last week after the simmering, and before the 40 volume peroxide. I have to "bleach" again because I didn't mix the powder in. I thought the peroxide (developer) would be enough. It almost was, but there is still some discoloration on the top of the skull.

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[under H2O hunter]

I hydro dip my skulls. Here is some of my work.

[Washington Wapiti]

I hydro dip my skulls. Here is some of my work.

You're my favorite color camoflauge . . . awesome work, I love it! I've seen some that have been bronzed, like they used to do to baby shoes. But this is by far cooler!

[under H2O hunter]

I hydro dip my skulls. Here is some of my work.

You're my favorite color camoflauge . . . awesome work, I love it! I've seen some that have been bronzed, like they used to do to baby shoes. But this is by far cooler!

Thanks for the props. Here is one more for you a small goat

[bnsafe]

Washington wapiti, they only charged me 25 bucks for the cape. frankly as heavy as they are its worth 25 bucks not to carry it out, lol

[Jaquomo]

bnsafe, if you have the room, you'll always appreciate a mount of your first one. The memories will keep coming back.

Can't believe you found a cape for $25 though. I've sold a number of elk and muley capes, and I get a LOT more for them than that. You got a bargain, my friend! I suspect somebody sent one in to have tanned for a mount, then changed their mind so the taxi was stuck with it. Eitehr way, good for you!

[Huntography]

Dang good deal Scott.

I euro mounted mine myself. It was quick and I saved some money too. Still have the memories in my head, on the wall now and oh yeah, on camera as well

I love watching him flip over on impact as the arrow slices through him.

Rudy

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[Stateline]

Seems like people are always looking for capes. I know that most of my taxidermist friends buy them if they're available. If by chance you get an animal that gives you the opportunity, saving his cape might help you pay for next years tag. Even the best of intentions can't always save the cape of someones trophy somewhere. Nice to have a spare available.

[JJ Overkill]

i really like the euro mount guys. that's going to be my go to method unless its a VERY big animal. i have a trick i am going to try on a coyote. ill post it when im done.

[greatthosu]

I do European mount.

[Washington Wapiti]

frankly as heavy as they are its worth 25 bucks not to carry it out, lol

Hahaha, you know that's right! $25, wow, heck of a deal . . .