So this year I dropped off my deer to have it processed. Had things going on that didn't give me the time to do it myself.

Anyway, I filled out the form wrong, and I got the horns back with just the skull cap, NOT cut for a European mount, like I normally do.

I need some ideas on what to do with them. They are going on the wall. I've done the Water Putty / cover with buckskin route, but I'm looking for other ideas.

Thanks in advance.

I have used automotive bondo to build up good looking mounts. The key is to add layers slowly and use a pitty knife / sand paper to sand the bondo BEFORE it cures. It is really easy to mix and work. But if you try to shape and sand it after it sets it is gonna take alot of work.

Good Luck!

Here is an idea I saw and thought was neat but have yet to try: Split the skull cap in half, mount each side to a plaque of your choosing, cover skull with putty and buckskin or your choice and then mount them at the same height far enough apart to make a holder for a gun or bow. It looks pretty cool and is on my list of "to do's".

Deer have antlers

I saw mine up for dog treats and for the squirrels to gnaw on during winter.

I use them for projects. Like neck knives.

I use them for projects. Like neck knives.

If you would still like a European mount. I've had good luck mounting some skull caps on a "Mountain Mikes" Euro mount.

One of my racks mounted with a Field Champ Replica Deer Skull Wall Mount Kit.

I wrap them in camo.

George, Dogs love them things, keeps their teeth clean also.

Chop chop! I second using them for practical purposes. It seems sacrilegious at first because we're programmed to covet them, but after you chop a few of them up, break free of antler envy, and make some really useful, unique, cool things with them, it's hard to stop. I went through boxes of them last winter, don't have many left. I almost started chopping up taxidermy mounts too. I don't feel the same about them anymore either.

I like using them to. Also leg bones.

Bjrogg

I also make whistles, turkey totes, and knife handles out of antlers I'm not saving for the wall.

Those are sweet two-more-steps. Work great for tip overlays to.

Bjrogg

My favorite is the "laying on the floor next to the old couch" mount.

You always have to have at least one set to handle when your relaxing and remembering past hunts or passing around to your hunting buddies the night before the opener. :)

I have made mounts like this from the horns attached to the skull cap!!!! This one is from a Pa. Deer in 1988

Now THAT is one of the best I've seen.

Neck knife

Brian, what's the grey rock next to the obsidian?

Jon that some Bayport stuff. I picked it up from erosion control area the county put in. It is knapable. I would like to try cooking some. I've tried before in turkey roaster with very little change. Bjrogg

nice work stoner

Bjrogg, like your idea...a "Mini" Euro Mount.

Raghorn, thanks for correcting me. With your handle, do you hunt cows?

Thanks windlaker_1. Mini makes my little six look more like a QDM.lol. Seriously though it does keep it more in proportion. For bigger racks I cut more skull. I like to freeze first so hide doesn't move back and forth with saw blade. Then skin after its cut off. Don't have to skin whole head that way. I also save brains for tanning solution.

Bjrogg

I used shed antlers for handles on this knife, ferro rod, and file.

Also used shed antlers for the handle on this sharpening file that I gave to Grizbow..

Try this...my wife loves it ...

Ok last try sorry... I just don’t get the pic. Thing

It’s good to put useless antlers to good use.

.

Very nice genlemen

You all have made use of antlers,that's cool.Really like the painted gobbler heads.Twomoresteps that's a very nice wingbonene call & turkey tote.

Here's a nice handle from a deer leg bone. A scrap piece of Black Walnut from a pallet and a small white tail Antler for the base. It's going to my PA Christmas Trade. Shouldn't of showed my wife. She's really liking it. The blade I knapped from something I got from Frank at Marshall.

Bjrogg

A little closer

Bjrogg

Beautiful knife! I'm still a novice at knife making, and can't knap. Here is a simple one I made for my great nephew's first Buck harvest in PA and a knife I made my partner, when he retired,from an antler from a buck that ran into his cruiser:).

I have turned some antlers into this, but I probably could not chop up antlers from kills. Maybe some of the small ones. I keep the harvested ones as reminders of the hunts, since hunts are finite - someday memories are all I will have.

Some early deer work. I wish I'd taken pics of the best ones I sold and gave away. They had abalone inlays and turned out great. Gone forever though... :/ As for mounts with skull plates or cut off ones, I like the arrowhead plaques above. That is what I'd do with them.

Jewelry makers may buy them as antler rings are becoming quite popular...and they look cool! Most of mine go in the "pile" unless they're wall worthy.

Ron LaClair - (several posts up on Dec 1) - the elk antler with the lever action in it - thanks for that idea! A great way to display a memorable trophy in more modest fashion. Plus you could get two mounts for one. I don't know if that's a shed or a kill but either way it is brilliant. Did you add some finish to the antler?

Mr. McCool. I am confused. Is the floor mount a pretzel hanger, wet sock drier, back scratcher, stress reliever or ?? I would be concerned that my wife might grab it and whack me over the head.There are some unique uses of antlers here. Good stuff.

"Ron LaClair - (several posts up on Dec 1) - the elk antler with the lever action in it - thanks for that idea! A great way to display a memorable trophy in more modest fashion. Plus you could get two mounts for one. I don't know if that's a shed or a kill but either way it is brilliant. Did you add some finish to the antler?"

I found the antler in an antique shop, they're really old, the patina is from age. It was originally a lamp, you might see a light socket on it. I knew right away what I wanted it for.

My neighbor was throwing out some old turkey feet and antlers and made up a bow rack using both feet and antlers.

Plan on doing some shed hunting to make another one this spring. Can always use space for more bows! :)

Bobmeister - how did you run the cord on your antler lamp? I can't see it in the photo.

Jackalope!

The cord runs trough the antler and comes out the bottom ( don’t you know there hollow).

Actually I bought a 1/4” drill bitt that’s 18” long and attack if from several places at different angles. You get an oblong hole at the intersection of the two adjoining holes.

Then you need to puffy up the holes and texture with stain to match.

I got the idea from a high end shop in Jackson Hole witch isn’t to far from here. Always wondered how they did it so I looked them over pretty good when I was in that shop.

The cord runs trough the antler and comes out the bottom ( don’t you know there hollow).

Actually I bought a 1/4” drill bitt that’s 18” long and attack if from several places at different angles. You get an oblong hole at the intersection of the two adjoining holes.

Then you need to puffy up the holes and texture with stain to match.

I got the idea from a high end shop in Jackson Hole witch isn’t to far from here. Always wondered how they did it so I looked them over pretty good when I was in that shop.

like I said you need to puddy the holes and fake in a texture then stain to match.

Bobmeister that's great. I have also seen a few lamps in shops around Bozeman where I live. I examined them and thought maybe somebody had figured out a flexible drill like on a dremel or something; either that or I thought maybe they were fake. Now that I see your photos I see how you cheat with straight holes. But strategically placing the holes and arranging the antlers accordingly is artistry itself. Fantastic!

Windlaker_1 this thread topic got me curious so I have been looking around (even just an internet search) and seen many ways to mount "horns" with just a skull cap and they look great to me. Like you I do have a preference for euro-bleach skulls but after reading this and looking around I may mix it up a bit. Also there are many ways to arrange un-attached antlers. Most of them are probably sheds but excellent nonetheless.

Bjrogg, I took your idea and ran with it. Here's how it turned out.

I like it windlaker1. I'm working on some hides right now and a set of antlers for a buddy of mine. Works out well useing this method for removing brains to use for tanning to.

Bjrogg

Zog......love the plaid

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