| As a hunter, you not only hunt for the purpose | | | | Using 3/4 inch plywood cut an oval shape |
| of putting food on the table, but each year, like | | | | measuring 4 1/2 inches wide X 6 inches tall. |
| the rest of us, you have high hopes of bagging a | | | | The edges should be some what smooth. |
| nice set of antlers, with further hopes of bragging | | | | Drill two 1/8 inch holes thru the antler base, to |
| rights. | | | | allow screws to go thru into the plywood. |
| So the season is over, you've earned your | | | | Depending on the thickness of the antler base, |
| bragging rights, now what? You can show all the | | | | use screws that will securely anchor into the |
| pictures you want, but think of the statement it | | | | wood without coming thru the back side. |
| will make to have that nice set of antlers hanging | | | | Align the base of the antler knurls even with the |
| on your wall! | | | | top of the plywood, and making sure it is |
| Of course, if you want to mount the whole head, | | | | centered; screw the antlers to the plywood base. |
| then a taxidermist is what you want. | | | | You can attach some form of filler, that's even |
| Mounting just the antlers can be an inexpensive | | | | with the skull cap, to fill in space and help with |
| and very attractive addition to any home or | | | | shaping. |
| office wall. And yes, anybody can do this, it can | | | | Using drywall plaster, form your shape, the shape |
| be a little time consuming, but well worth the time | | | | will eventually be the size of the plywood, but |
| spent when you are finished. My husband Bob has | | | | only after multiple applications, you want each |
| been doing antler mounts for many years, and | | | | application to thoroughly |
| each one is as beautiful as the last. | | | | Once you have formed the shape you want, use |
| These are the tools you will need: | | | | the rasp file to sand down all the real rough edges |
| 1/2 inch Plywood (or other soft wood) | | | | and bumps. Continue sanding with sand paper or |
| Precision Knife | | | | blocks till you have a nice shaped and smooth |
| Drywall Powder | | | | surface. |
| Rasp File | | | | The material you use to cover with, is all personal |
| Sanding paper or Sanding blocks | | | | preference, we have found that pigskin is very |
| Finishing material (the material you want it | | | | easy to work with, it's thin, comes in many |
| wrapped in) | | | | earthly colors and on the stretchy side. |
| 1/2 inch Hemp rope | | | | To start, lay the material evenly on top of the |
| The First thing you want to do, is cut the skull | | | | mount and staple on the back top and stretch |
| cap, including antlers, from the skull, a good rule of | | | | around to the bottom and staple. Continue all the |
| thumb is to cut just above the eye sockets and | | | | way around, ensuring the material stays taut to |
| about an inch or so behind the antlers, you want | | | | keep from getting wrinkles and or folds. You may |
| it to lay flat on your plywood without the antlers | | | | have to pull some staples along the way in order |
| touching the wood. | | | | for the material to lay nice and tight. |
| Remove all hair and meat from the skull cap and | | | | To add a finishing touch, hot glue the 1/4 inch |
| surrounding the antler base, your precision knife | | | | hemp rope around the very base of the antlers, |
| works well for this. Allow the skull cap to dry, | | | | with the cut to the back. We soak the hemp |
| usually 3- 4 weeks. | | | | rope in coffee to get a darker shade. |
| Once dried, you can get to work. | | | | You now have a finished antler mount ready to |
| Prepare your wood base: | | | | be attached to your board of choice. |