European Mount

[Roboz]

I didn't think about pulling the teeth, but it would definitely sit flatter. Thanks for the tip.

[Edelweiss]

If you don't like the look of it with the teeth pulled out, just run him across a belt sander until his teeth sockets are gone.

I usually fill the back of the skull full of 2 part rifle epoxy so I can bolt the board onto the skull tight.

[tdub24]

Depending on whether or not you prefer the plaque look, you could also get either the EuroMounter (http://euromounter.com) or Little Hooker (http://skullhooker.com) to display your trophy. I have both and love the way they are displayed.

[Sawfish]

I do not think that I could sell my Wife on the "rotting" method. I remove as much meat and hide, including the lower jaw, and complete the process by boiling the skull at a low rolling boil. At various stages, I will remove the skull from the boiling pot (an oblong shallow washtub from Home Depot), and clean out as much meat as I can reach with dental picks (usually 2-3 times, change water and add Arm & Hammer Washing Soda to remove the grease.) A high pressure hose will break up the brain so it can be washed out of the skull. The oblong shape of the pan usually keeps the antlers out of the boiling water. After the skull is clean and dry, I will give it a peroxide bath using the same cheap low grade peroxide sold in the grocery stores and Wal-Mart. I tried the beauty supply stuff and found it to be a little bit faster and lot more expensive. It usually takes overnight for the low test solution to do its work, but it is not as hard on the skull. Rinse the skull and be sure it is 100% dry (2-4 days depending on where you live). I spray my skulls with a flat polyurethane spray. This gives them a pleasant antique ivory look, prevents flaking, and discourages any insects. Use old barn wood, cedar shingle, etc. for a mounting plaque. This is a cheap way to do a European mount, and they look as good as some of the taxidemist versions. You can find the washing soda at Wal-Mart.

[Edelweiss]

Boiling destroys the bone fibers, you don't want it to get past simmer.

[Sawfish]

That is what I meant by "low rolling boil". Just could not think of the word. "Old Timers Disease", I guess!

[ivorytip]

edeweiss, that your bull? thats has some funk to it. and great buck mount. so many diff methods that work well. nice work