Prepping moose antlers for mounting

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huntingfish

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Hi all,
We have been fortunate to get a small buck during our moose hunting trip this year. Seeing as I was the shooter and was pretty proud of my shot (GPS'ed in at 278m), and seeing as eventually, our luck will run out, I wanted to do a little something to mount the antlers. I have a piece of black walnut ready, just need to get the antlers ready.

I have soaked up the piece of the skull (just enough so the antlersa are held together) in hot water and removed close to 98% of all the meat and tissue. I read online that I now need to soak it in peroxyde. Do I have to soak everything (antlers / remaining skull part) in peroxyde or just the skull part? I was thinking of just doing the skull part, but a friend made the remark that the antlers are living too and would reek in a couple of months if I don't soak them in as well.

Thoughts?

Cheers!

David
 
So I have a probably very basic question, but this is the first time I try this...

Here's my setup:
DSC_4696.JPG


Because of the shape of the antlers, I had to cut out a portion of a tupperware (hehe, almost felt good to do it too! but if the wifey asks, I just don't know where it is lol) and when I fill it with peroxyde, a portion of the antlers will also be in the peroxyde. I'm guessing that whatever is in the peroxyde will turn completely white, is that correct?

Here's my prep work so far. I'd really appreciate comments and tips! Cheers

Front:
DSC_4698.JPG


Back:
DSC_4700.JPG


The second the kids are in bed, I'm going to check to make sure the skull portion is nice and flat so when mounted it will look nice.

Cheers!

David
 
get yourself a powerwasher to use and spray off any remaining tissue/fur etc. If you plan on leaving the skull exposed then by all means whiten it with peroxide , or just cover with some material like suede.You may have to build up the skull cap with some plaster of paris or even some expanding foam.
Good luck
 
You'd be best off to just soak a towel in peroxide and drape it over the skull cap to whiten it. That way you avoid discolouring the antlers. Also, you'll want to soak the skull cap in a dawn/water solution to degrease it, or eventually it will turn yellowish due to the fats left in the bone.
 
I've done this with a couple deer skulls, I used those cheap foam brushes to apply the peroxide. just keep painting it on until it wont whiten any further.
 
After the skull portion is all finished you can lightly rub linseed oil on the antlers.
That will make them look more natural, plus preserve their condition.
 
oh, you mean those foam brushes? hxxp://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/foam-brushes-12-pk-0490379p.html#.VE2L7xbpb-w

I like that...I thought about making a paste too, but it was too late. I already bought a butt load of peroxyde and thru out the receipt (doh!). I was thinking of using an old (cheap) water tank filter (without filter) to continuously drip peroxyde onto a towel on the skull, but I have to double check first if peroxyde is flamable or something like that. It is a *seriously* cheap filter... If I go that route, I'll tape where the antlers meet the skull to limit whittening of the antlers.

To whoever said they just applied more perox over and over until it didn't whitten anymore: How long did it take you do acceive good results?

I've been degreasing with dawn since late AM with some DAWN Ultra. Doesn't seem to be doing much. I change the water when it gets too cold. I simply use "hot" tap water (I can almost keep my hand in it, but not quite).

Tonight I was hoping to be able draw up the shape of the walnut board!

Degreasing:
DSC_4701.JPG


Fish
 
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It is a lot of work. As far as the towel/peroxide, just put it in the tub, as you had it, but keep the bottom of the antlers our of the peroxide. soak the towel in the peroxide, then lay it over the skull cap, with each end of the towel laying in the peroxide bath. The peroxide will wick up the towel keeping it moist along the top of the skull cap. Not need for the filter.

Looks like you're doing a good job.
 
Congrats on your fine little BULL moose. Antler is naturally white. The brown colour is actually the result of the bull raking its antlers into trees and brush.
 
Hi everyone!
I'm doing the process of bleaching the skull portion with a 'towel wick' as suggested. Seems to work ok. Obviously, it's not as good as soaking in peroxyde, however it does keep the skull mostly in contact with peroxyde.

When do I know when I'm finished? If I remove the towel that's wrapped around skull portion and I pour peroxyde on it, it will still foam a tiny bit in 2-3 spots. Is this normal?

I read online that I should let it soak between 24 and 48 hours, but not more than 48 hours as it may damage the skull. Since the skull is not directly submerged, should I leave it for a bit more than 48 hours with my peroxyde towel over it?

Thanks everyone!

Fish
 
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As far as the peroxide goes, you're really just doing it for the whitening effect, as all of the meat tissue and fat should have been removed prior. I'd probably leave it for a couple of days. I don't think you can really mess it up at this point. I don't think you can really do much damage as the skull cap is pretty thick, I think the recommendations are more for thinner facial bones in smaller animals.

I once had a bear done by a taxidermist (who I'll never go back to again) and when I got the skull back, the surface was flaking apart. I think he used bleach instead of peroxide, but I managed to fix it myself by combining 50/50 water and white glue (school glue) and painting it all over the surface.

huntingfish said:
Hi everyone!
I'm doing the process of bleaching the skull portion with a 'towel wick' as suggested. Seems to work ok. Obviously, it's not as good as soaking in peroxyde, however it does keep the skull mostly in contact with peroxyde.

When do I know when I'm finished? If I remove the towel that's wrapped around skull portion and I pour peroxyde on it, it will still foam a tiny bit in 2-3 spots. Is this normal?

I read online that I should let it soak between 24 and 48 hours, but not more than 48 hours as it may damage the skull. Since the skull is not directly submerged, should I leave it for a bit more than 48 hours with my peroxyde towel over it?

Thanks everyone!

Fish
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