European mount techniques

[Band]

I fill the brain cavity with bondo, drill 3 holes through the plaque, and put screws through the back of the plaque into the bondo.  Oh, and I attach a wire between the top 2 screws so I can hang it on a nail in the wall.  It's pretty easy.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Anyone try a compost bin yet?  I have a wooden one animals can't get in.

[Tbar]

Ok here goes.  These are all natural left under a canoe.

[Tbar]

These are boiled (slow) and peroxide.

[Tbar]

The first is boiled the second is all natural. 

[Tbar]

This one is money well spent.  Beetle done and degreased by a taxi.

[Tbar]

It wouldn't take much to make the natural look better.  They just sit in the bone pile until I want a project.

[elk247]

Never again. beetles, degreaser, and hair bleach from now on for me. Although I do want to try metal cold casting on my next euro.

[Band]

This one is money well spent.  Beetle done and degreased by a taxi.

Can't beat that for a finished product.  How much would you expect to pay a taxi for this service?

[elk247]

I made some inquires two years ago for a cousins bull elk. I called three different taxi's, The range I got was $175-325 depending on options. (Beetles cleening only, Mounting plaque, bleach, Paint) I gave him instructions on how to do it and saved him a wad of cash. I think I showed you pictures of the bull last time I saw you. The prices I was quoted were fair but we decided to give it a try. I know a friend with beetles about 25 mins from you,  if you decide to do your own. (WAY cleaner and faster than putting in the ground)

[Band]

I make my own plaques and do my own mounting so really, the skull cleaning is the only thing I'm interested in.  Any idea how much your buddy would charge for using his beetles to do the job, elk247?

[Tbar]

This one is money well spent.  Beetle done and degreased by a taxi.

Can't beat that for a finished product.  How much would you expect to pay a taxi for this service?

Pm Natures Way, that's not who did that one (fidalgo did mine). The small details are amazing, the delicate nasal bones are all intact. That pic doesn't do the quality justice. I believe you would be looking at the 180-200 range for what you are looking do.  Also pm bugs and bones for a quote. 

[shadowless_nite]

Ive never had the chance to do a elk but i did do a bear and a few deer usin maceration. There was a thread on here somewhere that described how to do it. The key during the fall is keeping the water warm so bacteria can thrive the first few weeks if you have to do it outdoors like i do. I use a fishtank heater from amazon to keep the water warm. Once its clean i do a quick boil with soapy water then complete water change again let it soak some more in soapy heated water for a week or 2. After that i let it dry off for a day inside the house and then use hair bleach developer cream 40 volume if you got it. If you know someone with a beauticians license get some 50 volume. This is peroxide and though iust slightly more expensive  than thr brown bottle stuff it is thick  like hair conditioner or lotion and can be coated on with a 1in chip brush.

[Tbar]

Here is another done by a professional using beetles, degreased, and peroxide.  No paint so some coloration will eventually show (which I don't mind), I'm not a fan of painted white skulls.

[elk247]

I make my own plaques and do my own mounting so really, the skull cleaning is the only thing I'm interested in.  Any idea how much your buddy would charge for using his beetles to do the job, elk247?

I'll find out for you, I see him next weekend. I have seen bugs and bones work. He does an awesome job.