European mount techniques

[Band]

Up until now I have been cutting down the back of the skull, through the brain and eye sockets, and out the bridge of the nose with a hand saw and then boiling off the tissue for my deer mounts but I'd like to do a full skull this time.  I'd like to try burying the skull under ground (with the antlers above ground) to let the creepy crawlies take care of the work of getting rid of the tissue.  My concern is what the skull will look like when the bugs are finished.  Any tips on using this method while avoiding permanent dirt ground in to the skull?  Not sure whether it can be done.

[Ebell]

I've tried the dirt and forget it method but the fastest method is the bucket of water, someplace away from the house.  Further the better. Secure the antlers in a way so nothing can chew on them and refill the water or address when needed.  It's much faster but very stinky

[n_mathews13]

Never done a elk before , but I have done a few deer, bear and coon skulls. The ground is a great way to go. Take a little time, but a great job. Got a few coons out back right now. I think , time of year and location is big.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Friend of mine buried his in the dirt for a few months and it looks really nice ..He decided not to bleach it because he liked the little darker look .. I may try it but I think I would dig a hole and fill it with sand ...I bet that would work better than dirt ..

By the way ...Those mounts look pretty nice ! Band ...

[Band]

I may try it but I think I would dig a hole and fill it with sand ...I bet that would work better than dirt ..

Bingo, there's an idea that may help prevent the skull from getting too permanently "dirty".  I think I'll try that.  I was thinking about putting a yard waste container over the top to prevent critters from chewing on the antlers and hopefully from digging up the skull.

[n_mathews13]

If you put it in dirt.wrap the antlers in tinfoil ( keeps bugs/mice off of them)
Leave it for a few months and then check it out. A tote works good to keep it out of sun. If it's done, put in hot water for a few ,then wash it up. Put it in soap for at least a week ( to get any grease out). Then put it in peroxide for a few days. Perfectly white ( not bleached!)

[n_mathews13]

Here is a few

[stevemiller]

Good luck with the new method,But I must say the way you were doing them with the hacksaw is awesome.Ive never seen them done that way before. 

[HunterStrait]

This is a pretty useful video if you're going to bury it.

[Band]

Great, lots of good tips, and that video makes it look pretty easy.  I already have the hide off the skull so I'm thinking 3 months should definitely be long enough.  I'll post the final product when it is complete.

Good luck with the new method,But I must say the way you were doing them with the hacksaw is awesome.Ive never seen them done that way before. 

Thanks.  Not sure exactly how I came up with that method but I'll say that I quickly found a hack saw to be really hard to control and get a straight cut so I use a short, stout wood cutting hand saw.

[stevemiller]

Band  Have you done any elk like that?If so I would like to see a pic of that if you dont mind.

[Tbar]

Band have you ruled out maceration?  Or boiling?  Or just leaving it under something above ground(like a small boat or tote)? I only ask because these are all methods I've tried with both success and failure.  The only true failure was over boiling.  I could post a few of the skulls tonight if you want.  I do like some of the natural skulls. 

[Band]

Band  Have you done any elk like that?If so I would like to see a pic of that if you dont mind.

Sorry, I've done a few for friends over the years but don't have any pics of them.  I did my bull moose with a similar cut but it's on the other side of the state so I can't get a pic of that anytime soon.

By the way, since that cut makes the antlers stick more out than up it works well for a bull elk when it is going to be hung high on the wall, like where there is a vaulted ceiling.  I think it would stick out to far if hung in a room with a standard ceiling height.  Not such a problem with most deer.

Here's another angle showing the cut a little better.  I think it looks best when you cut from  quite a ways back on the skull, a little more than 1/2 of the eye socket, and way out the bridge of the nose.  Typically after boiling the tissue off I take a hand file to the top of the skull and around the bridge of the nose to give it a good shape.

[Band]

Band have you ruled out maceration?  Or boiling?  Or just leaving it under something above ground(like a small boat or tote)? I only ask because these are all methods I've tried with both success and failure.  The only true failure was over boiling.  I could post a few of the skulls tonight if you want.  I do like some of the natural skulls.

I don't want to deal with the hassle and stink of maceration and the skull is too big to fit in the pot I have available (unless I cut it down like I normally do).  Also, I really dislike messing with the brain and the ground method should take care of that problem.

Yes, please post the skulls you have - I would like to take a look.

[stevemiller]

how are you attaching the skull to the mount this way?