Displaying Euro Mounts

[DIYSaddler]

I'd really like to find a way to display them with the bottom jawbones.


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Maybe drill a small hole in the skull and the jaw and glue it in place with heavy gauge stainless wire.

 

[MCDM]

Could you share your method? I skinned, boiled off the meat using borax soap in the water, then cleared it. Looks nice but a real pain to fit it in a pot big enough to boil it.

First i take off as much as i can using a small knife. Then i get my fryer pot and get the water to a simmer/par boil. You do not want the water boiling!!! Add a little borax and some dishwashing soap just a little. Make sure the antlers stay out of the water. Every 30mins to an hr pull the skull out and scrape excess material off. For the nasal area you want an old coat hanger and forceps to remove the stuff inside. Work the nasal area very carefully it is fragile. The next trick is to change the water and start the process over. Towards the end of this process use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle and gentle spray the inside out to get it clean. Continue to scrape any excess off.

Now when the skull is fully cleaned its time to degrease. Soak the skull in hot soapy water. I recommend dawn dish soap. When water gets cool its time to change the water and do it a second time. Once this is done its time to let it dry.

Once dry glue teeth and any loose separated bones back together. I use elmers super glue for this. Let it all set.

Now for the magic white part. I go to a beauty supply store (here in CT its called Sally's Beauty). I get a big bottle of there peroxide something like 20-40% and a couple packets of quickbrite (its a powder). I mix a packet of the quickbrite and peroxide to form a paste. I brush this with a soft bristled brush and use a really small painters brush for the hard to reach areas. Once painted you have two options place it in front of a heat source or take a hair dryer and just add a little heat. If you let it sit overnight gently lay paper towel over it. Heat is the key as it accelerates the whitening process. I let mine sit 24hrs then wash off. If you want it whiter repeat the above.

Once it is white to your liking i will spray with krylon uv matte or gloss depending on your preference. This will prevent degradation of the skull and helps to seal it. I will do two coats usually.

Once all is dry and set i flip it over and drill the base of the skull and fit to plaque. Slap a hanger on the back a boo yah euro mount complete.

I also want to stress at no point during this process should you boil or get the antlers wet. I will wrap foil or sarinwrap to protect them during the whole process. I only wipe them down with a damp paper towel at the end.

I do these locally for people for around $100-110 for the whole thing. Most taxidermist around here charge anywhere from 275-350. Although i have to have a permit in my state just to do these and make a little income. Also i want to add this process applies to any euro for any species.

If anyone has any questions feel free to let me know. Also i will add one last thing if you do attempt to do a side business like I do respect the art and practice before doing for others. They will be pissed if their trophy is ruined.

 

[IkemanTX]

Maybe drill a small hole in the skull and the jaw and glue it in place with heavy gauge stainless wire.

I was kind of thinking just tying the jaw bones together with string and hanging them from a hook so they could be removed and examined. Since I'm shooting for older bucks, it could tell even more of the story than the antlers do.


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[DIYSaddler]

I was kind of thinking just tying the jaw bones together with string and hanging them from a hook so they could be removed and examined. Since I'm shooting for older bucks, it could tell even more of the story than the antlers do.


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How about dental fixtures like what they use for removable post dentures.