There are many ways to display your buck's antlers. So, I thought it'd be fun to share ways to go about it.

Big or small, my family always takes the time to properly mount our antlers and put them on display. To us, every deer is a trophy. Some hang in the cabin, others in the "man cave", and yet others in the garage.

It's fun to look back over the years and remember each buck. Where it was taken. Who was there with us.

I'm always careful to provide details of the hunt on the back of the plaque. Using a sharpie or the like, I inscribe things like where the buck was killed, what rifle I used, and the date. The details of the hunt that time would easily errode from my memory.

This video shows a technique that my family and I have used for years to mount antlers. I put together a quick "how to" to share.

[video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SC_BceQt3T4[/video]

Please feel free to add any other way that you prefer to mount your antlers to this thread.

I'd be interested to see some pictures too, if you've got them!

Never seen anyone paint the plaster, doesn't look half bad. I much prefer a European mount of smaller bucks, but I will occasionally do an antler plaque mount. I like to use the pre-made covers from Van Dykes that look like they are covered in leather. The angle on the skull should be determined at the time you cut it and fine tuned with a rasp/stationary belt sander, no need for the screw that was used to determine angle. I use decorative tacks around the skull plate cover and gold braid at the antler burrs. A nice oak or walnut plaque finishes off the project.

I wasn't for sure at first, but it turned out rather handsome. Cool technique.



I will saw down from the back of the skull, continue down below the eyes and down to the olfactory process. Ending up for the whole top, complete natural skull cap.


Or, lately I have been just letting my taxidermist do a non mandible Euro for me with a little full cape bartering involved on the fee. I have been mounting all of particular set of bucks onto a piece of cabin planking near where these deer are killed. All within a 100 yards usually. Extremely weathered wood, but with lots of character.

I also prefer european mounts. My next will be mounted on a shed.

I've been just boiling them for Euro mounts in recent years, but as a kid I helped my Grandpa mount bucks with a process similar to what you did. We would screw the horns on a larger plaque, plaster a round section, then cover with vinyl and tack the edges.

I've also done them similar to the way you have on a small board, but taped the bases and used expanding foam. After the foam cures, you can carv it to the desired shape, wrap vinyl or cotton cloth around(stapling to the rear of the board), then screw through the rear of a larger plaque into the smaller bd. Makes for a clean mount either way, the foam method is just much easier.

Good job.

loder

Thanks for the tip I was just wondering on how to do mine I got this year.

Did a set for Big Hunter's first buck, a 5 point he got his 2nd year.

Found a nice chunk of pine showing nice grain, and cut it out in the shape of Pennsylvania. After that I sanded & varnished it up and attached the horns on it. Needless to say, he was prety pleased.
7mm

here's a euro from a buck I shot this year using the boil it (outside) method. been doing this for a while and like they way they look on the wall.

Mountin antlers? Want dat hurt?

Ned- wrap the antlers tightly with saran wrap and tape it after that. I usually use electrical tape. It will help keep them the natural color.

Looks great Ned!

thanks 805 and lol @ catman925, yes it does.