I have found some shed antlers and wanted to get them mounted, but all the antler kits i have seen the antlers have to be connected to the scull plate, i was wondering how i could by-pass that and substitute the skull plate

Can someone please help me with this

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when I was doing taxidermist work,I would take a soft pine 2x4 (they call them lodge pole pine)and shape a skull shaped block.it doesn't have to be real good work on the wood.then get some rockhard putty(you can get it at the same place you get the 2x4 ) scotty's has it,homedepot.
after you get the 2x4 shaped a little small,put the horns in the right angle to look good,drill a small hole in each side of 2x4 into the base of the horn screw a drywall screw through the 2x4 into the horn to hold onto the 2x4,screw the 2x4 onto a board until you get it finished . mix the putty to a thick paste and put over the 2x4 until it looks like the skull,dampen your hand and smooth it out.it will dry in about 45 min to 1 hr.remove the screw and tap the board and it will fall off.then you can cover with whatever you want.or use one of those antler placque's.
when you do it a few times you will get good enough so you can smooth them out with damp fingers,let dry for a few days use contact cement and black felt cloth.precut the felt to fit around the burrs and over the skull,put the cement on the skull you made and the felt.do 1/2 at a time and it works better.after a few tries you will get the hang of it.
hope this helps.



I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

Edited by - tree climber on 02/28/2002 19:05:32

Edited by - tree climber on 02/28/2002 19:10:10

Here is a link you might try: http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/12/antler.html


Cam's Hunting Page

You can buy kits from Van Dykes taxidermy supply which will help.

"Playing under the table and dreaming"

good luck bud. i may be trying a few of those also.