Removing Antelope Horns

[Roger]

Question. How do you remove the horns off an antelope so you can preserve the flesh underneath?

The goats I have killed before werelate in the season so the horns just pulled off. This one i got now was early in the season so the horns are stuck on good. It's been in the freezer since the kill in early Oct.

Thanks for the advice.

Roger

[bobcat]

Here some info for ya:  http://www.mckenziesp.com/KB/HTML%20KB/Pronghorn/pronghorn.asp

Probably a little more than you need for what you're doing but maybe it will be of some help.

[bowsandhose]

not sure but i would think you rot them off like sheep horns  after about a week should be able to pull them off and clean them. you don't want the meat to dry out so  keep them in a bag. warring do not attempt until you have confirmed that's what to do

[huntnphool]

Why dont you guys ask Michelle or Charlie?

[Michelle_Nelson]

First off are you atempting to do a Euro or a horn plaque? 

Pull them out of the freezer and seal them inside a plastic bag with about 1/2 cup water.  Put them somewhere warm and let them set for about a week.  They will pull right off.  After that go ahead and cut about 2 1/2" off the top of the core. 

HORN MOUNT: If you are doing a horn mount go ahead at this point simmer the skull cap and core.  NOT THE SHEETHS (HORNS), or they will fall apart and swell.  Once all the meat is gone you can re attach with bondo or epoxy.

EUROPEAN MOUNT:  If your going to do a Euro I would suggest Macerating the skull only in a 5 gallon bucket with a tank hear. 

[EastWaViking]

I did my own euro skull once.  Key word once.  It turned out great, but boiling the antelope skull was gross.

from now on I'm leaving it to the pros.

[Roger]

Michelle


Pull them out of the freezer and seal them inside a plastic bag with about 1/2 cup water.  Put them somewhere warm and let them set for about a week.  They will pull right off.  After that go ahead and cut about 2 1/2" off the top of the core. 


Thanks for the info.

I'm just doing a horn mount and another question is after the horns are off do I put the remaining flesh on the skull in borax to preserve it before putting the horns back on for the finish?

Thanks again

Roger

[Michelle_Nelson]

HORN MOUNT: If you are doing a horn mount go ahead at this point simmer the skull cap and core.  NOT THE SHEETHS (HORNS), or they will fall apart and swell.  Once all the meat is gone you can re attach with bondo or epoxy.

Once the sheeths are off the core I make a strong dawn dish soap solution and wash the inside of the sheeths out.  Than I rinse them really well.  Towel dry and put Dry Preserve inside both sheeths and let them dry.  That should take care of the smell.  Once tthe skull cap and cores are dry after simmering re attach the sheets on to the cores.

[Roger]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[Michelle_Nelson]

No problem

[bucklucky]

Why do you cut 2 1/2 inches off the core.

[grizzlygibbs]

HORN MOUNT: If you are doing a horn mount go ahead at this point simmer the skull cap and core.  NOT THE SHEETHS (HORNS), or they will fall apart and swell.  Once all the meat is gone you can re attach with bondo or epoxy.

Once the sheeths are off the core I make a strong dawn dish soap solution and wash the inside of the sheeths out.  Than I rinse them really well.  Towel dry and put Dry Preserve inside both sheeths and let them dry.  That should take care of the smell.  Once tthe skull cap and cores are dry after simmering re attach the sheets on to the cores.

What kind of dry preserve?  Stock salt?  or

[Michelle_Nelson]

No it's Dry Preserve.  It's kinda like a powdered borax with other preserving stuff in it.  Go to www.taxidermy.com and look it up their.  They sell some smallish bags of it. 

You CAN NOT rub it on a hide to preserve it like a tanned skin. 

[grizzlygibbs]

ok so i got the sheaths off today and i am boiling the skull, so can i just use borax and do i just dump it in the sheath?  or sprinkle it on the outside and inside?

[Michelle_Nelson]

Yeah borax will work. 

Take both sheaths and wash them with dawn dish soap and water.  Rinse well and towel dry.  Than fill both sheaths with borax.  It won'thurt anything if you get borax on the outside.  Make sure the borax coats the entire insideof the sheaths.  Than just set them aside and let them dry you can reattach them to the core later.