Velvet... Keep or strip?

[Tdiesel]

I prefer the real velvet and yes robby is correct on the entry only being valid for that measuring time. I thought about listing mine this year but its not worth the hassle just to have it disappear in the next book I do think the CBA keeps a record of all the animals though if you get it with archery equiptment. I was able to get mine in a freezer and the taxidermist said it looking good I'll have to post a pic when its finished.

 

[bowuntr]

I agree that the artificial looks good... but it doesn't look real. It's too perfect... I was wondering if you could take your time and screw them up a little. I had a taxidermist tell me that he wrapped cord around the antlers, in different directions and left it on for a day. Then took an electric razor to them. I never saw his finished product... but it sounds like it would help. There is a guy on Bowsite that fixed the artificial so that it looked real.... blood stains, peeling velvet... he matched the hunters field photos. I will see if I can find the post. Bitterroot that is a beautiful buck... show us the field photo to compare. Ed F

 

[bowuntr]

Here's the link... http://forums.bowsite.com/TF/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=412212&messages=7&forum=7 Ed F

 

[Mckinnon]

Here's the link... http://forums.bowsite.com/TF/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=412212&messages=7&forum=7 Ed F

Wow, that does look fantastic.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Bitterroot that is a beautiful buck... show us the field photo to compare. Ed F

Thanks Ed,

The field photo explains why I had to go with artificial:

You know though, I wouldn't hesitate to do the artificial again, I am so happy with it.

I would certainly strip a book deer, if need be. JMO.

 

[bowuntr]

Yeah, I can definately see why you had to strip it... what a mess. Nice buck... looks like sheep country.

B&C doesn't accept velvet entries so you would have to strip. P&Y accepts velvet entries... but once you put the artificial velvet on, it can't be measured. So make sure it gets measured before you put the stuff on... if that's what you want to do. Ed F

 

[Yukondog]

Yeah, I can definately see why you had to strip it... what a mess. Nice buck... looks like sheep country.

B&C doesn't accept velvet entries so you would have to strip. P&Y accepts velvet entries... but once you put the artificial velvet on, it can't be measured. So make sure it gets measured before you put the stuff on... if that's what you want to do. Ed F

Sound like that would be the plan.

Has anyone had issues with bugs when keeping velvet? That doesn't sound like much fun. I would also imagine that the artificial velvet would look better years down the road as well.

Matt

 

[robby denning]

Yukon,
the one buck I kept in velvet has not had a bug problem, and it's 10 years old. It is hung in a living room with a fireplace and low humidity, so that might by why.

I just don't like the dried/flat look of the natural, but maybe the methods described on this thread can prevent that. I'd agree that the artificial looks so good that it looks fake. I like the link earlier that showed a taxidermist that gave the artificial a wear-and-tear look. That, too me, would be the best.

 

[bohntr]

I have a few velvet mounts in the house, one of which is over 20 years old. Absolutely NO issues with bugs, as it was done correctly with formaldehyde and then fluffed with a hair drier to give it a natural look.....I also have one artificial velvet buck. It looks okay, but not like the real stuff, IMO.

 

[robby denning]

Hi Roy,
we been waiting for you to chime in!

 

[MJ from Oregon]

The easiest to use was a Methanol soak. Soaked it for 7 days hung it for 10 and mounted it./QUOTE]

I've tried them all and this has worked the best for me also.

MJ

 

[Shoot straight]

Keep it on. I think they look way cooler when in velvet. If you can shoot them when they have half the velvet that is the coolest. They look all nasty. When saving them I think the only thing you need to keep them away from are beetles. Those aren't good for you antlers, oh and mice. They chew it up and it ruins the antlers.