danjang Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I was working out in Prince Edward county and came across a nearly complete skeleton of a buck. I figured it wasn't a carcass left behind by a hunter and it must have died of natural causes. I took the skull home and I would like to prepare it for a mount. Does anyone have any experience with this? It looked like it had been there for at least 2 years but I am no expert how long things take to decompose. I saw nothing inside the brain case other than some spiderwebs and a bit of dirt. Thanks! Here it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Ive done a couple European head mounts in my day. If all the flesh is gone and the brain cavity is empty then boil the skull in water/Dawn dish detergent solution for a couple hours. Then take a brush and scrub off anything loose like dirt or remaining bits of material. Pick out any loose material from inside the scull as well. Now prepare a bleach and water solution and soak scull for another 24 hours. Make sure to tape off the antlers where they meet the scull so they don't get bleach on them. Just submerge the scull in the bleach up to where the antlers begin.Let sit and dry for a couple days. Now get white epoxy appliance paint from Walmart. Tape off the antlers completely this time and spray bomb generously inside and out. Let it dry and then give it another coat. This will give the scull a white plastic appearance and will last forever. Good Luck !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewelbee Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 What a lucky find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carp Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Could have been one that got away from a hunter (bad shot). Nice find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thats super cool man I would love to find one like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 show us how it turns out too please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thats a very cool find danjang. Myself,let it sit in the sun and let it cure natural. Again,very cool find. Not all finds are bad hunter shots Carp. You should know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Some of you guys it's just the deer laughing so hard it goes into convulsions and dies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Some of you guys it's just the deer laughing so hard it goes into convulsions and dies! shut up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danjang Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 I've surveyed a lot of land and this is the first I've come across a deer skeleton or even antlers. I was going nuts when I stumbled across this! Ive done a couple European head mounts in my day. If all the flesh is gone and the brain cavity is empty then boil the skull in water/Dawn dish detergent solution for a couple hours. Then take a brush and scrub off anything loose like dirt or remaining bits of material. Pick out any loose material from inside the scull as well. Now prepare a bleach and water solution and soak scull for another 24 hours. Make sure to tape off the antlers where they meet the scull so they don't get bleach on them. Just submerge the scull in the bleach up to where the antlers begin.Let sit and dry for a couple days. Now get white epoxy appliance paint from Walmart. Tape off the antlers completely this time and spray bomb generously inside and out. Let it dry and then give it another coat. This will give the scull a white plastic appearance and will last forever. Good Luck !! Thanks for the info. Does anything need to be done to the antlers? Also, where can I find the actually wooden mount for the skulls. Is there anywhere in Torontoish area I can find one? I'll definitely post the completed project! It won't be for a while though. Going to wait for better weather to do the cooking. Don't think the fam would appreciate me boiling that thing in the house lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the info. Does anything need to be done to the antlers? Also, where can I find the actually wooden mount for the skulls. Is there anywhere in Torontoish area I can find one? You can get one at BPS,but IMO,it would look best laying on a coffee table or corner table.RUSTIC/WESTERN. GREAT CONVERSATION PIECE. Edited April 13, 2011 by Misfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 I've surveyed a lot of land and this is the first I've come across a deer skeleton or even antlers. I was going nuts when I stumbled across this! Thanks for the info. Does anything need to be done to the antlers? Also, where can I find the actually wooden mount for the skulls. Is there anywhere in Torontoish area I can find one? I'll definitely post the completed project! It won't be for a while though. Going to wait for better weather to do the cooking. Don't think the fam would appreciate me boiling that thing in the house lol. As far as I can see mother nature has already taken care of mostly everything for you. I boiled a fresh skull in the house at the stove with the ventalation fan on and didn't stink up the house but then again it was fresh. As for the antlers,just clean them up and keep them natural. The mount is personal preference. I would just google "European skull mounts" and look around at some of the stuff they are mounting their skulls on and then just make your own... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinguypat Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 sell it for a pretty Penney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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