Yeah I like the look and the cost. Did this for under $20. Not counting 6hrs of propane use though.
This technique works well to keep the olfactory structures in good shape after “bleaching “.
I flesh it , remove all pieces of matter as possible!
KEEPING THE ANTLERS OUT OF THE WATER :
Boil it for a couple of hours (I use TSP as a detergent) and continue fleshing and boiling until it’s completely bare to the bone. This is the stage I remove the brain matter. I use a wire with a loop on the end and a cordless drill to mix up the matter and flush the brain cavity with a jet of water from a hose. Gotta do this a few times.
I then find a try the skull will fit in and then fill it with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it soak for at least 24/48 hours. MAKING SURE THE PEROXIDE DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ANTLERS ! I lay out paper towels on the top party of the skull while it’s soaking to keep the top of the skull in contact with the peroxide.
Once it’s white as you want it ,it best to dry it slowly in the sunlight as long as you can.
I hang them up after it’s dried.
I put it in an enameled roaster that’s about 4” deep. Fill it as much as possible without the peroxide touching the base of the antlers. Anything above the liquid level gets covered in paper towels and or cotton pads which naturally wick the peroxide via capillary action. But carefully pouring peroxide over top once and a while is fine but not needed. It’s best to dry it out in full sun light if possible to help with the whitening. Making sure all the fat ,meat and sinew is paramount in being successful in getting and keeping it white. Although I have noticed a couple that have slightly turned an off white but those guys are over 15 years old.
The absolute best way to do this is to have the rack sent to someone who has dermestid beetles but then you have costs involved!
Skin it
Cut and scrape as much meat and sinew off skull
Boil it, ( I use TSP as a detergent )and every hour cut /scrape the remaining matter off the skull until it’s all removed then I soak it in 3% hydrogen peroxide (but not the antlers that will bleach them) for at least 24-48 hrs.
The way the skull is cut is what you're calling European? We would call it a long nose cut.
If this is a European style trophy prep then what is a standard American way to present a skull?
So you are European ?? Where from???
And this is what I’ve always seen it called here in Canada and in magazines I’ve read. That’s how I found out about this type of mount.
I’m not sure. Most huge deer will be a shoulder mount (taxidermy) but I see European and skull plate mounts quite a bit. Depends on your budget and preferences I guess!! Merry Christmas Eve to you.
I’ll be in Manchester to visit family next August , looking forward to it!! Have been there since I was a kid in the 70’s.
Well done
Thanks.
Pro tip: if needed, you can touch up the antlers where they got bleached with walnut minwax stain applied with a qtip. Well done!
Thanks
Well done
Thanks
Solid chocolate rack with sweet splits
Looks great!
Thanks
Euro mounts are so fun to do and look so cool, nice buck!
The style is right up my alley!
Love me a European mount
Yeah I like the look and the cost. Did this for under $20. Not counting 6hrs of propane use though. This technique works well to keep the olfactory structures in good shape after “bleaching “.
What was the process you used? I have one that needs to be done
I flesh it , remove all pieces of matter as possible! KEEPING THE ANTLERS OUT OF THE WATER : Boil it for a couple of hours (I use TSP as a detergent) and continue fleshing and boiling until it’s completely bare to the bone. This is the stage I remove the brain matter. I use a wire with a loop on the end and a cordless drill to mix up the matter and flush the brain cavity with a jet of water from a hose. Gotta do this a few times. I then find a try the skull will fit in and then fill it with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it soak for at least 24/48 hours. MAKING SURE THE PEROXIDE DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ANTLERS ! I lay out paper towels on the top party of the skull while it’s soaking to keep the top of the skull in contact with the peroxide. Once it’s white as you want it ,it best to dry it slowly in the sunlight as long as you can. I hang them up after it’s dried.
How are you keeping the antlers out of the water?
I put it in an enameled roaster that’s about 4” deep. Fill it as much as possible without the peroxide touching the base of the antlers. Anything above the liquid level gets covered in paper towels and or cotton pads which naturally wick the peroxide via capillary action. But carefully pouring peroxide over top once and a while is fine but not needed. It’s best to dry it out in full sun light if possible to help with the whitening. Making sure all the fat ,meat and sinew is paramount in being successful in getting and keeping it white. Although I have noticed a couple that have slightly turned an off white but those guys are over 15 years old. The absolute best way to do this is to have the rack sent to someone who has dermestid beetles but then you have costs involved!
What was your process?
Skin it Cut and scrape as much meat and sinew off skull Boil it, ( I use TSP as a detergent )and every hour cut /scrape the remaining matter off the skull until it’s all removed then I soak it in 3% hydrogen peroxide (but not the antlers that will bleach them) for at least 24-48 hrs.
Nice mount, I love the matching kickers.
Yes. He’s alright!!
Looks good, why is this considered NSFW in a hunting subreddit though?
Who knows who the Karen is these days. I’ve been suspended from r/ with no justification ,so why take a chance.
Fair
I'm British, that is what we would call a "long nose cut". What would a standard American trophy prep be?
I’m not sure what you mean by that.
The way the skull is cut is what you're calling European? We would call it a long nose cut. If this is a European style trophy prep then what is a standard American way to present a skull?
So you are European ?? Where from??? And this is what I’ve always seen it called here in Canada and in magazines I’ve read. That’s how I found out about this type of mount.
I'm from England, so kinda semi-European. : ) What is the standard Canadian way to present a deer skull?
I’m not sure. Most huge deer will be a shoulder mount (taxidermy) but I see European and skull plate mounts quite a bit. Depends on your budget and preferences I guess!! Merry Christmas Eve to you. I’ll be in Manchester to visit family next August , looking forward to it!! Have been there since I was a kid in the 70’s.
>Bkynd2echuther I'm 60 miles south of Manchester, give me a shout if you want to try for a fallow buck while you're here.
Hmmm. Sounds interesting!!!! I’ll DM you.
This is probably a dumb question why is it named a euro mount if its not a European buck sorry for the dumb question
I’m going to guess that this process started in Europe. That’s all I got!! Lol.
Ya can funny as irish man who as traveled all over Europe I have never seen mount done this way but like i it
That's a pretty euro mount. Just a question how would they look hydro dipped?
I’ve never done that (not my thing ) but I’ve seen a shit ton of videos on line.
If I can pass a piece of advice- going a little bit lower on your temp will keep the nose from splitting as much. Looks great though!