Capped Skull/Antlers STINK....Years later!
09-24-2009, 02:43 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 252
Capped Skull/Antlers STINK....Years later!
Another question for y'all. My dad always capped his antlers. Pretty much just scalp the deer from behind the antlers down towards the front. When he was done, they always hung on the wall on small plaques in the garage. My mom wouldn't let them in 
Fast forward some years now. Im living out of state and have had some luck on my own getting a buck each of the last 3 years. The local processor will cap the bucks for you so i had him do it. The caps were kept in a freezer with the meat until i picked up. Well I somewhat noticed a smell with the first one a few years ago and actually left it outside thinking it was either defrosting or still had "junk" that i couldn't see that maybe a critter or the weather could take care of. Eventually it came back in the house and it seemed whenever it'd get somewhat warm, I could smell something. Repeat this process two more times. Now these 3 skull caps just really reak everytime it gets warm. The combo of all 3 make it strong. Its my workout room so im usually the only one who smells it but Im getting married soon and the wife to be will not be tolerating this! Am i doomed to follow in my dads footsteps and have the plaques down in the basement? I never noticed any smells from his at all and Im not sure if it was just because it was in the garage or what. Any answers, solutions, ideas on how to cure and prevent this in my future? I finally got good hunting grounds where i can be successful and now can't show them off. I will also consider just building the fiance her own quarters if need be
Fast forward some years now. Im living out of state and have had some luck on my own getting a buck each of the last 3 years. The local processor will cap the bucks for you so i had him do it. The caps were kept in a freezer with the meat until i picked up. Well I somewhat noticed a smell with the first one a few years ago and actually left it outside thinking it was either defrosting or still had "junk" that i couldn't see that maybe a critter or the weather could take care of. Eventually it came back in the house and it seemed whenever it'd get somewhat warm, I could smell something. Repeat this process two more times. Now these 3 skull caps just really reak everytime it gets warm. The combo of all 3 make it strong. Its my workout room so im usually the only one who smells it but Im getting married soon and the wife to be will not be tolerating this! Am i doomed to follow in my dads footsteps and have the plaques down in the basement? I never noticed any smells from his at all and Im not sure if it was just because it was in the garage or what. Any answers, solutions, ideas on how to cure and prevent this in my future? I finally got good hunting grounds where i can be successful and now can't show them off. I will also consider just building the fiance her own quarters if need be
09-24-2009, 03:57 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 132
Stinky Antlers
First make sure that all of the tissue is gone and there in nothing but bone. Antlers are made of bone and they grow extremely fast. I put mine skull in a pot and fill it with water so the skull but not the antlers are submerged and bring it to a boil, boil for 5-10 minutes, this works very well for me but the important part is the hair and all other tissue must be romoved.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
09-24-2009, 07:11 PM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wyandotte,Oklahoma
Posts: 259
Try hanging them above a fire,then cover the fire with cedar bows
or pine.What your trying to do by this is to heavily SMOKE them with the ceder scent or pine.remember to hang them high as not to burn them.This is an old way to cure them( it'll help keep the bugs from eating away at the "hair on" scalp as well as keeping them from stinking.)
or pine.What your trying to do by this is to heavily SMOKE them with the ceder scent or pine.remember to hang them high as not to burn them.This is an old way to cure them( it'll help keep the bugs from eating away at the "hair on" scalp as well as keeping them from stinking.)
09-25-2009, 02:06 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Almost Heaven,WV
Posts: 4,087
I put mine skull in a pot and fill it with water so the skull but not the antlers are submerged and bring it to a boil, boil for 5-10 minutes, this works very well for me but the important part is the hair and all other tissue must be removed.
