Mounting Shed Antlers

[Jimmer Negamanee]

I'm looking into mounting a pair of coues sheds and a pair of elk sheds. As far as DIY projects I've seen set ups like the Van Dyke's shed mounting system. Here's the link:

 

http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/01005035/

 

But I have no idea if that type of system is the best way to go or even if it works. (To boot, I'm all thumbs to the point that my 8th grade shop teacher promised to give me an A as long as I promised to not touch any of the power tools.)

 

If I decide I don't want to make guinea pigs out of the sheds that it took me forever to find, are there taxidermists who do this sort of thing and if so, about what should I expect to pay for coues and for elk shed mounts? If anyone knows any taxidermists who do this, I'd appreciate a recommendation.

 

Thank you.

[jamaro]

Jimmer.. I have seen that exact base used and it is pretty good...

Jason

 

[AZantlerhead]

Ive now mounted 4 big sets of elk sheds. I've seen numerous kits but have found the means to do it yourself. This takes some time, a little patience a couple tools, a welder and a love of horns. please see elk-mounts.com for similar style shed mounts, their prices are too high but this will give you some visual ref. Also i'll get my dang pics together of my completed shed mounts. Heres my process i hope all appreciate it . This style mount will last forever and is rock solid when done right. Great looking and surely does a nice set justice when their up on the wall. I currently have a smaller "345" set in a local shop, it's retailing $600. the bigger ones are on my wall of course. Enjoy and get them sets hung! The"kit" mentioned above might work, dunno , never tried umm. This is a true custom mount.

 

#1-- Find a peice of number 4-5 rebar . cut two dowels of equal length from this, I use 6-in pieces for elk mounts.

#2-- Grind evenly half way down your dowels to remove most of the "threads" , leave some to give extra grip when inserted in antler.

#3-- Find two drill bits, the first to drill a pilot hole in base of antler, the second should be equal in diameter to your dowels for a tight fit, the bigger will follow your pilot hole. Mark drill bits to 1/2-in more than half of youre dowells. If the dowel will be inserted 3-in, drill a 3.5-in hole.

#4-- This part is nervewracking but must be done. Drill your pilot holes, Drill your final holes. make sure to check as you go as not to drill out the side of antler! Angle of hole should follow center of beam and enter center of button. Don't fret to much about the angle however. that is adjusted upon final steps. The important thing is to have a tight fit.

#5-- You'll need some good epoxy, i recommend "ace-brand" in the black and white tubes. Cheap and strong! Mix apoxy, apply to half of dowell that will go in antlers.Now, You should need a hammer to pound the dowels in, otherwise use allot of apoxy if dowels fit loosely, tighter is better, but not to tight! The apoxy is just insurance when the pieces fit tight. Let set for about 10 hours or overnight.

#6-- Now you have both antlers with matching dowels pokeing out of them. they sould be very solid and be protrudeing from antlers in equal length, if not grind the longer down to match.

#7-- Find a steel plate desirable in size and shape of your likeing. this will be your"plaque, shield". this piece should be 1/4 thick for rigidness. Mark youre shield for center, this will be where you weld the dowels on the plate. Now is also a good time to drill holes in your shield for wall hanging. Two vertical holes and two side holes. haveing more holes allows for better alignment when hanging.

#8--Get yourself a big, flat, level surface to work on. A shop table is best but the right peice of ground works too. lay youre mounting plate"shield" on a piece of 2x8 to keep it flat while allowing room to hook your ground on it. lay you're antlers out with center of dowells laying on the center you have marked on shield. Patience!!! Take your'e time here. youll need blocks or bricks or whatever to prop the horns up, Measure and set desired spread.also width between buttons. Caution ---make shure tips are 4+ in higher off working surface then shield. I put to bricks under tips of main beams . this seems to give clearance from wall when hanging. This step takes an eye for what you want and how the horns flow. I use a 40-in spread on all my elk shed mounts.i alter pedicle width though. Take your'e time and get them where you want them.

#9-- have a friend hold the antlers or vice versa and tack-weld the dowles to the plaque, be carefull not to move the horns from desired places. This is why you just tack them on. once youre sure you have umm how you want and are shure it will sit on wall properly weld those puppies on real good

#10-- you now have a rigid frame shed mount that is like a rock. Dress it up with a plaster skull cap, paper mashea, leather or whatever. I myself leave them like this so everyone knows their sheds. just a little primer spraypaint to dress up the steal and a little grinding or whatever. Your sheds are now

ready for a lifetime of viewing enjoyement. I should be chargeing for this knowledge. ha!

 

Attempt at you're own risk!!!!!!!!!!! Some knowledge of tools, and craftwork required. If your really not confident get help or hire a pro!

[HEADACHE]

That is some great info, Thanks for sharing it.

[Jimmer Negamanee]

That is some great info, Thanks for sharing it.

 

 

Agreed. Great info! Thanks to both of you for the quick response. I guess it's gut check time for me. AZantlerhead, you sure picked an appropriate screen name. I am very impressed with your ingenuity. You probably surpassed my abilities when drilled the pilot hole and you definitely did when you broke out the welder. I wish I could practice on somebody else's.

Thanks again.

[Packer]

AZantlerhead,

Just curious if you have any pics of the finished product?

 

Packer

[Non-Typical Solutions]

AZ Sounds like you have put alotof work into mounting those sheds, bring out the pics......

[AZantlerhead]

[atta

chment=7854:016.JPG] ------The dark 7x7 with tripple eyeguards is mounted set i found in early nov trip, they were whites and as you can see I'm repairing a tine.-------- The pile on the table i found yesterday may 15th , 08.------- The pile and 30 inch deer head was a good trip, 7 elk sheds, 2 deer heads, Feb, 08. ------The 6x7 with busted g-1 is mounted shed set found , nov07- also found 6 other elk horns and a coues shed that trip.

[Jimmer Negamanee]

Great finds and beautiful work! You may end up with a side business before you know it.