DIY Antler Mounts

[insanelupus]

I have a few whitetail antlers from over the years to practice on, just looking for ideas on what exactly I want. After I do a few, I plan to mount a small set of bull elk antlers once they dry.

If you have tips, hints, or hacks, let me know, please.

 

[hunterjmj]

Here's a deer I killed a long time ago before I knew of euro mounts. This is what my grandpa and dad did with all their antlers.

 

[Silveroddo]

My uncle does these leather wrapped skull caps, he basically cuts a small chunk of plywood as an outline, screws the skull to that, then covers it in plaster of Paris and gets the shape to wrap the leather around and tacks it. He puts a lot of them on bigger plaques but this is my preference.
I remember ordering that bottom one out of sportsman’s guide 25 years ago and plan to do something similar for my kids first deer when the time comes.
If you check out Instagram there are some different ideas, you can search taxidermy supply places as well but most of it is pretty generic.

 

[hunterjmj]

My uncle does these leather wrapped skull caps, he basically cuts a small chunk of plywood as an outline, screws the skull to that, then covers it in plaster of Paris and gets the shape to wrap the leather around and tacks it. He puts a lot of them on bigger plaques but this is my preference.
I remember ordering that bottom one out of sportsman’s guide 25 years ago and plan to do something similar for my kids first deer when the time comes.
If you check out Instagram there are some different ideas, you can search taxidermy supply places as well but most of it is pretty generic.

Those look good. I see a lot of those in bars and old stores.

 

[BugleMeTimber]

I’ve done a few over the years as a hobby.
1) cut skull plate to give good angle on mount.
2) Boil skull portion to remove fat/tissue.
3) attach to plywood form for skull cap, whichever shape you choose. Use wood door shim to get desired angle and screw down.
4) Fill in void with styrofoam chunk then I use spackling to fill everything else in and form the skull cap. May take multiple applications and sanding to get perfect. I use old cut up debit cards to smooth out as I go.
5) Treat antlers if preferred. Use a stain or coffee grounds to darken then clear coat spray.
6) wrap leather around skull cap and staple to back of form, pull tight so no wrinkles.
7) apply base cord to antlers with hot glue gun.
8) Mount to your stained cut out plaque. Attach wall hanger on back.
9) Hang on Wall.

 

[Rich M]

My WT racks are in the shed.

 

[Gseith]

I did this with one a few years ago. A scrap piece of rough sawn cherry as the board. Came out looking ok.

 

[lazydrifter]

I do mine the same as BugleMeTimber but I braid 3 pieces of leather together and use that around the base of the horns and around where the skull plate is mounted to the wall plate.

 

[ghud]

View attachment 604451
Here's a deer I killed a long time ago before I knew of euro mounts. This is what my grandpa and dad did with all their antlers.

that looks really good!

 

[hunterjmj]

that looks really good!

The skull plate isn't even cut straight. I should take it down and straighten that up at least.

 

[ghud]

The skull plate isn't even cut straight. I should take it down and straighten that up at least.

That's fair but for a quick diy it looks good, those antlers are a gorgeous color too!

 

[Kenny Hart]

I do all my own antlers and skulls now. Learned from Whitebone Creations on youtube, he's got a ton of videos that cover most every animal.

Getting better and better, and they come out great!

 

[InteriorAKPopsicle]

Nice, I tried to use one of the deer plaques for my Caribou and it ... kinda worked? I will be doing what a lot of the folks above did and this winter I want to go and create the plaster/foam form and cover it with leather so it looks more complete.

 

[bigmoose]

I've done a bunch of these throughout the years mainly for friends who would not have done anything for their trophies. I cut out the plaques on a scroll saw and then router the edges, sand, stain, and then seal them with polyurethane.

Cut the skull plate to best display the antlers and then boil them with Dawn. I then cut a 1" thick piece of wood to go under the antlers. Screw the antlers down and mold the skull with paper mache to the desired shape.

Then I stretch leather across the skull and carefully tuck it under the antler burr. I use contact cement to hold the leather in place and small staples on the underside. Then I use two screws on the backside of the plaque to hold it together.

The whole thing is time consuming but I'm happy with the outcome.

 

[HighUintas]

I’ve done a few over the years as a hobby.
1) cut skull plate to give good angle on mount.
2) Boil skull portion to remove fat/tissue.
3) attach to plywood form for skull cap, whichever shape you choose. Use wood door shim to get desired angle and screw down.
4) Fill in void with styrofoam chunk then I use spackling to fill everything else in and form the skull cap. May take multiple applications and sanding to get perfect. I use old cut up debit cards to smooth out as I go.
5) Treat antlers if preferred. Use a stain or coffee grounds to darken then clear coat spray.
6) wrap leather around skull cap and staple to back of form, pull tight so no wrinkles.
7) apply base cord to antlers with hot glue gun.
8) Mount to your stained cut out plaque. Attach wall hanger on back.
9) Hang on Wall.

I do mine the same as BugleMeTimber but I braid 3 pieces of leather together and use that around the base of the horns and around where the skull plate is mounted to the wall plate.

I do all my own antlers and skulls now. Learned from Whitebone Creations on youtube, he's got a ton of videos that cover most every animal.

Getting better and better, and they come out great!

View attachment 607543View attachment 607544View attachment 607545View attachment 607546
View attachment 607547

I've done a bunch of these throughout the years mainly for friends who would not have done anything for their trophies. I cut out the plaques on a scroll saw and then router the edges, sand, stain, and then seal them with polyurethane.

Cut the skull plate to best display the antlers and then boil them with Dawn. I then cut a 1" thick piece of wood to go under the antlers. Screw the antlers down and mold the skull with paper mache to the desired shape.

Then I stretch leather across the skull and carefully tuck it under the antler burr. I use contact cement to hold the leather in place and small staples on the underside. Then I use two screws on the backside of the plaque to hold it together.

The whole thing is time consuming but I'm happy with the outcome.View attachment 607690View attachment 607691View attachment 607692View attachment 607694View attachment 607696View attachment 607697

For you guys that do a lot of these, I have a few questions. I'm going to do one for an elk skull plate I got last week.

I think I probably left the flesh on a little too long. Shot it Tues morning and took the head off but left skin on. Cut the skull plate on Thursday or Friday and then removed the skin and flesh from the skull plate on Sunday.

Boiled it Sunday and pressure washed it. It's hanging in my garage now but has a smell.

1. How long should the skull plate dry before I start covering it with plaster or other material for the mount?

2. All the flesh is gone. There shouldn't be any hiding since it's just the skull plate. Will some extra dry time let the stink off gas enough or should I do some extended boiling with dawn? I don't think it's flesh that stinks... I think the bone has absorbed the rotting flesh smell.

Lastly, I also washed the antlers to remove mud and blood. Not with soap or close to the washer jet. I stood back a few feet so it was pretty gentle. But, that slight sheen/shine they originally had is gone. I've read mop and glo should restore that pretty well and protect them. Will it also cover up any remaining smell? Along with the plaster etc covering

 

[7mm-08]

View attachment 605001

My WT racks are in the shed.

As they should be with that bruiser. Great buck!

 

[kota]

I use an exacto knife to clean all the tissue off, then let it air dry for a while, and have had no issues with smell. This ends up being a winter project, so usually 60 days plus drying. I also trim the skull plate down pretty good so it’s all solid bone and none of the spongy sinus stuff.

 

[6.5Express]

After my youngest boys first hunting season last year, I wanted to put our whole family's first deer together. So, we worked on this together. My first archery deer, my wifes first buck, and our three sons firsts all together on one board in our loft above the TV. Warms my heart to see them all in one spot.

 

[Fitzwho]

Did a few wrapped last year. Came out alright.