Skull mounting in velvet

[windygorge]

just got my mule deer in full velvet.  i have never seen a european skull mount in velvet and was wondering how its done.  right now i have it in the freezer and was planning on freeze drying the velvet, but how do you deal with the skull without damaging the velvet.
thanks

[PA BEN]

Call Cindy out of Colville she runs double cutt taxidermy.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Where is a picture of this dude ? 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Typically when you do a Eauropean Mount with velvet, the velvet is stripped off and artificial velvet is used.  A piece of the velvet is saved and when the skull is cleaned it is sent with the rack so they can match the color.  A couple pictures also helps.  That way distinguishing marks can sometimes be replicated.
 
 

[seth30]

Where is a picture of this dude ? 

[windygorge]

picture is under deer.  thread is my 2011 washington mule deer

[Fishhunt223]

Typically when you do a Eauropean Mount with velvet, the velvet is stripped off and artificial velvet is used.  A piece of the velvet is saved and when the skull is cleaned it is sent with the rack so they can match the color.  A couple pictures also helps.  That way distinguishing marks can sometimes be replicated.

Only other way to do it is cut the antlers off and reattach them once the skull is clean and the velvet is preserved.

[windygorge]

Typically when you do a Eauropean Mount with velvet, the velvet is stripped off and artificial velvet is used.  A piece of the velvet is saved and when the skull is cleaned it is sent with the rack so they can match the color.  A couple pictures also helps.  That way distinguishing marks can sometimes be replicated.

Only other way to do it is cut the antlers off and reattach them once the skull is clean and the velvet is preserved.

how would you do the reattachment??  i like this idea.....alot. 

[jager]

Basically a square pin system..
Did you freeze the skull/antlers?
If not, you need to. ASAP or sooner. Just an FYI
The blood/velvet will start to decompose and "slip"

[Michelle_Nelson]

Typically when you do a Eauropean Mount with velvet, the velvet is stripped off and artificial velvet is used.  A piece of the velvet is saved and when the skull is cleaned it is sent with the rack so they can match the color.  A couple pictures also helps.  That way distinguishing marks can sometimes be replicated.

Only other way to do it is cut the antlers off and reattach them once the skull is clean and the velvet is preserved.

 

[MtnMuley]

How does maceration work on this Michelle) I know beatles don't!

[Michelle_Nelson]

If the horns are attached than Maceration won't work.  The water vapor/steam coming off the tank would keep the velvet moist and would cause the velvet to rot.

[Fishhunt223]

There are a few ways to reattach them. The best way is to drill a pilot hole from the bottom of the skull through the pedicle before you detach them. Then cut each antler off from each side like a v. Stop your second cut a hair before they meet and break the antlers off. This will leave a jagged edge that will allow the 2 parts to realign perfectly. Then you can enlarge the hole on the stump a little so the threads on your screw will slide through. Then to reattach you just coat both sides with some white apoxie (you can get this at a taxidermy supply co). Then use a stainless steel screw to pull the antlers on to the bases. Smooth out the joint with some water on your finger before the apoxie cures.

If you don't want to do the hole drilling thing you can just follow the rest of the instructions and just glue it with apoxie but the joint will not be as strong and may break if the mount falls or an antler is bumped.