Skull and antler display ideas needed

[Full Otto]

OK I think I have a pretty good idea here but would like some feedback before I actually go ahead and put it together.
This is the rack I found in the "been out walking" thread after cleaning.
I've been told that it would be good to boil it but I kind of like the discoloration as it is and think that boiling it would get rid of that. On the other hand I'm wondering if boiling is better as far as preserving or if that really matters. I did use some bleach to get rid of some mossy green stain.
How long would one boil it?

http://i42.tinypic.com/24gvfw7.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/a0bdi9.jpg

I'm also using a piece of rough cut full dimension lumber that been here at my place longer than I've been alive. I just cleaned it, left the blade cuts and just used poly satin finish.
Just wondering if it looks as good as I think it does or if the head deserves a better finish store bought type board behind it.
Also could use some ideas on attaching the head to the board. I was planning on wiring it in strategic places where the bone would hide the wire.
Any better products out there that makes this an easier task?
I'd hate to ruin this by rushing it.
Was also planning on giving the antlers a lite rub with furniture polish. Bad idea?

[Full Otto]

Never mind

http://i40.tinypic.com/acd5xw.jpg

[deth502]

drywall screws through the back of the board.

not feeling the 2x4. its not the rough cut look that im not liking, its the plain square dimensions. needs a little more flair, imo

[binky59]

Nice looking. It's got that rustic thing goin'
reminds me, I have some skulls to clean

[Full Otto]

Nice looking. It's got that rustic thing goin'
reminds me, I have some skulls to clean

Thanks that's what I was going for since the skull was showing some age already.
How do you clean yours? This is new to me



drywall screws through the back of the board.

not feeling the 2x4. its not the rough cut look that im not liking, its the plain square dimensions. needs a little more flair, imo

It's actually a 1x but I know what you're saying that's what was throwing me and why I was asking. I know I have a thinner piece around here with bark on the sides. I must have put it where I knew I could find it then somebody moved it. Ya know how that goes
Did the wire and can redo it if I find a better piece I just wanted to get it up on the wall. Thanks for the input

I'm going to be going back out soon on the same creek maybe I'll get lucky again it was a pretty cool find.

[deth502]

btw, boiling it is just to get teh flesh off of it. if its "clean" theres no need for that. if you want to whiten it, i mean REALLY whiten it, you need to find some peroxide, not the drugstore shit, but REAL peroxide. if you ever see the commercial skulls that are so clean that they look fake, like theyre made of plastic, thats from the peroxide. afaic, the skull itself looks better like that, imo.

[btcave]

Looks great!

[binky59]

Thanks that's what I was going for since the skull was showing some age already.
How do you clean yours? This is new to me

I never boil skulls, if the skull is dry when you find it use a Hydrogen Peroxide soak.
I use the 3% drugstore type @ $.99 per pint, and add 1/2 cup of Trisodium Phosphate
per gallon. TSP is what they used to add to Tide detergent to make your whites brighter, the EPA
banned the use of TSP back in the 70's so you need to buy it from a chemical supplier.
For fresh bones I beatle clean them then do the wash.




It's actually a 1x but I know what you're saying that's what was throwing me and why I was asking. I know I have a thinner piece around here with bark on the sides. I must have put it where I knew I could find it then somebody moved it. Ya know how that goes
Did the wire and can redo it if I find a better piece I just wanted to get it up on the wall. Thanks for the input

I'm going to be going back out soon on the same creek maybe I'll get lucky again it was a pretty cool find.[/QUOTE]

[Full Otto]

Thanks guys with that one up it looks pretty lonely and the wall looks pretty empty.
Hopefully I kind try out some of the ideas.
I've come across some fresh fox and skunk roadkills with some very nice tails. Tempted but haven't grabbed any yet.
Is that too gross or should I go for it?
I think that basically takes salt right?
Maybe splitting if the meat hasn't dried to the skin yet?

[Full Otto]

Well I just got another one. This one was found by somebody else a while ago and has been hanging at the county garage.
It's been there awhile and was kind of a mess nobody wanted it so they said take it.
Still had matter in the skull and some dried out ooze in the eye. It was almost the same color as the antlers.
I used some HP from my water system which is cut to 13% and bleach. Let it hang in the sun and kept applying it. Dried much lighter, way better now
Had to use a little stain to one antler which had faded. Took it slow and got a pretty decent match, a little polish and up on the wall.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2cfrsqf.jpg

Now the other one has some company

http://i47.tinypic.com/352loht.jpg

[Full Otto]

these you really do need to put under glass

Well I did find this today

http://i50.tinypic.com/2moebuu.jpg

Might be able to do something with it

[deth502]

Well I just got another one. This one was found by somebody else a while ago and has been hanging at the county garage.
It's been there awhile and was kind of a mess nobody wanted it so they said take it.
Still had matter in the skull and some dried out ooze in the eye. It was almost the same color as the antlers.
I used some HP from my water system which is cut to 13% and bleach. Let it hang in the sun and kept applying it. Dried much lighter, way better now
Had to use a little stain to one antler which had faded. Took it slow and got a pretty decent match, a little polish and up on the wall.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2cfrsqf.jpg

Now the other one has some company

http://i47.tinypic.com/352loht.jpg

:thumbsup:


You can put photographs under glass to make a table your desk you can also decopague it to to wooden furniture.Paint or liquid starch to ceiling a light color these you really do need to put under glass or collect them in a photo album so they'll stick and display on like a lectern or something.

ouch otto, he must not like you. the other 4 of his possibly spamming, broken english, nonsensical posts all begin with "hey friends". he must not count you in that list.

[Full Otto]

Shamelessly stole this from another forum.
I don't know the guy just had to show it. Didn't know they still had them this big around here. Well, way SE of me near Manchester from what I could gather
They are guessing it's been dead a couple of years how it survived ???

http://i48.tinypic.com/2w2mtkn.jpg

[Full Otto]

Thanks.

According to his post:
It scored grossed 236. 228 7/8 after deductions

[Full Otto]

Well I scored another one and I found that board I was looking for earlier

http://i41.tinypic.com/nfpfl5.jpg

Was getting a little late for pictures so tried the flash
A guy at work found it on the job and gave it to me.
I couldn't believe it but I guess between hunting and work he's got more than he needs and knew I liked them so here it is.
I think I need another wall

[Aggressive Perfector]

I don't like the board you have the first one sittin on, but the second two look great. I always preferred the Bleached Skulls over stuffed heads myself.

[El Laton Caliente]

45º slices out of a 8" plus cedar log make great mounting boards also. Slice and run through a planer, the coat with poly or other good finish.

[Full Otto]

45º slices out of a 8" plus cedar log make great mounting boards also. Slice and run through a planer, the coat with poly or other good finish.

If I'm following you that would be similar to the European type.
I saw those when I first started
Raises the head to a more natural look?
I like those and at this rate I will probably be giving it a try.
I'm working on converting an old metal circular corn crib into a shooting shack so I'll get some more wall space.
So far I got a floor in and the inside walls paneled.
Plan a fire bowl too with a stack right up the center there's already an opening up there with a cover.
I'll start a thread on that when it's a little farther along

[Full Otto]

I'm working on converting an old metal circular corn crib into a shooting shack so I'll get some more wall space.
I'll start a thread on that when it's a little farther along

Ah the heck with it I'll show the progress right here in this one

http://i40.tinypic.com/mmcvhg.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/1zf5v10.jpg

Salvaged the door from a burned out house down the road.
Still needs glass hope to get that ordered this week.
Got to get a stack fabricated but shouldn't be long before I can try it out

[Full Otto]

I just missed this one
My neighbor found it yesterday a little over a half mile west of me

http://i62.tinypic.com/2upcy7n.jpg

I've been trying to get in the area but deep snow and weather kept me from looking very far in
Kept telling myself to get out there but..
At least it got found and it wasn't a total waste of a nice buck

[Full Otto]

http://i59.tinypic.com/12221yd.jpg

Same guy different location
About 4 miles NE of me
He's out after sheds and has the time
Looks like I'll have to wait till next year at this rate

[Full Otto]

Well maybe not
I met a guy today that cleans out storage lockers. Side job gets 20 bucks and gets to keep or sell what he wants
He sold me one of those good size plastic storage bins for $65

I think I did alright, have what I need for that shack now

http://i57.tinypic.com/1toltw.jpg

[Silentkilla01]

Nice sheds you got there brother! Ok everyone Otto said was cool. We are going to his neck of the woods to hunt this year. Tags and long necks on him!!!

[Adog]

You got all those for $65?
Hell of a deal, that would sell for a whole lot more around here.

[Full Otto]

Nice sheds you got there brother! Ok everyone Otto said was cool. We are going to his neck of the woods to hunt this year. Tags and long necks on him!!!

Can't help you with the tags but the longneck's sound pretty good.
The shack is just about done, need to test out the fire pit just let me know I'll get you directions

[Silentkilla01]

:thumbspbig: I get a week off during deer season. I always save a week of my vacation just for that. So don't get all butt hurt when I show up and kill the monster roaming around your area. Lmao

[Full Otto]

Had a couple days off so I was able to get at the shootin' shack.
Made another trip to the burned out house and got some chairs
Some needed a little fixing and they all needed a good cleaning

North wall as you enter
http://i60.tinypic.com/1zyvg60.jpg

The fire pit from an old tile that used to be stored in the bin
Grate was salvaged from my house, used to be the only source for heat when the house was first built
http://i59.tinypic.com/w2ol8k.jpg

East wall
http://i59.tinypic.com/2nu3jmq.jpg

West wall
http://i57.tinypic.com/2ufrjfn.jpg

Had to copy and paste three shots together for those last two
Could use a step by the door but pretty much usable as it is

So "killa" should I fill the the cooler?

[Silentkilla01]

Buddy if you are serious let me know a time this hunting season you are avalable and I'll put my vacation notice in for that week and I will be on my way!

[Silentkilla01]

And another thing down here where I live as long as you are on private land you don't need a hunting liscence. Does it work the same in Indiana? Just wondering because if not I need to find out how much an out of state liscence is before then so I'll be ready.

[Partisan1983]

Good lord....Otto that is the OUTFUCKINSTANDING!!!!

I wish I could hunt more, but I just cannot take the brutal winters MI has been having....just too damn cold for me

[Partisan1983]

Just happened to look out my back windows after posting that, and there are 4 deer just chilaxin...

[Full Otto]

Good lord....Otto that is the OUTFUCKINSTANDING!!!!

I wish I could hunt more, but I just cannot take the brutal winters MI has been having....just too damn cold for me

Thank you sir, sincerely




And another thing down here where I live as long as you are on private land you don't need a hunting liscence. Does it work the same in Indiana? Just wondering because if not I need to find out how much an out of state liscence is before then so I'll be ready.

I'm not up on current laws mostly hear from the guys I work with. I know you can take nuisance deer
Gotta tell you though the 120 acres I sit on is general considered a no man zone by the guys around here
There's woods all around that get hunted but they let them be on me to reduce stress
My neighbor and a good friend owns most of the woods and is real good at managing the herd and the guys who hunt it
He very particular about the amount of hunters he lets in but I can ask
I've been visited by one of you southern boys before couch surfing through "gunsnet" that was a great experience
The welcome mats out
Oh wait I still have to get one of those for the bin

[Silentkilla01]

You just say the word brother! And I'll put my vaca time in.

[mrkalashnikov]

Had a couple days off so I was able to get at the shootin' shack.
Made another trip to the burned out house and got some chairs
Some needed a little fixing and they all needed a good cleaning

North wall as you enter
http://i60.tinypic.com/1zyvg60.jpg

The fire pit from an old tile that used to be stored in the bin
Grate was salvaged from my house, used to be the only source for heat when the house was first built
http://i59.tinypic.com/w2ol8k.jpg

East wall
http://i59.tinypic.com/2nu3jmq.jpg

West wall
http://i57.tinypic.com/2ufrjfn.jpg


Otto, that is beyond cool. If there were a contest for Most Unique Mancave you would be the winna! :woot:

[Full Otto]

Otto, that is beyond cool. If there were a contest for Most Unique Mancave you would be the winna! :woot:

Thanks man you'll have to get down here too
Just about 2 miles SE of Fairoaks Dairy Adventure on I-65 if you're ever in the neighborhood

Here it is with the trap house
http://i61.tinypic.com/2wdrmfa.jpg

[mrkalashnikov]

Thanks man you'll have to get down here too
Just about 2 miles SE of Fairoaks Dairy Adventure on I-65 if you're ever in the neighborhood

Here it is with the trap house
http://i61.tinypic.com/2wdrmfa.jpg

Funny you mention that. I've been going down to Willow Slough the last year or two to use the range there & I know you're nearby. We should get together & bust some caps. :)

If you guys wouldn't mind I think it would be neat to pay a visit when SK is in your town.. I know I would get a kick out of meeting both of you fellow enthusiasts.

[Silentkilla01]

Dang if that wouldn't be fun. I am all for it as long as Otto is cool with it! I would love it!!!!

[Full Otto]

Sounds like a great idea to me
Upside no range warden
Downside no good bullet stop but we can make due

I've been looking into the laws and seasons a little
i think SK uses a 30.30 which is not legal here

[Silentkilla01]

Sounds like a great idea to me
Upside no range warden
Downside no good bullet stop but we can make due

I've been looking into the laws and seasons a little
i think SK uses a 30.30 which is not legal here

I use a 30-30 for thick woods around here. But usually stick to my 308. 3288

[mrkalashnikov]

Sounds like a great idea to me
Upside no range warden
Downside no good bullet stop but we can make due.


If you guys give me a ballpark idea of for when you're getting together I'll make the drive.

[mrkalashnikov]

I use a 30-30 for thick woods around here. But usually stick to my 308. 3288

Damn, that rifle looks like it's rocking a really short barrel. What's the length?

[Silentkilla01]

If you guys give me a ballpark idea of for when you're getting together I'll make the drive.

All up to Otto. Just let me know a couple weeks in advance so I can put in my notice.

[Silentkilla01]

Damn, that rifle looks like it's rocking a really short barrel. What's the length?

18 inches. It the SPS tactical Remington 700 308.

[mrkalashnikov]

18 inches. It the SPS tactical Remington 700 308.

Nice. I'll bet with that carbine-length bbl it has a bit of kick to it, prolly a pretty big muzzle flash as well. :thumbsup: :sniper:

[Silentkilla01]

Nice. I'll bet with that carbine-length bbl it has a bit of kick to it, prolly a pretty big muzzle flash as well. :thumbsup: :sniper:

The recoil is not bad but the muzzle flash is awesome. I've had it out to just about 600 yards and it has about a 1 to 1-1/2 inch group on the bench.

[mrkalashnikov]

The recoil is not bad but the muzzle flash is awesome. I've had it out to just about 600 yards and it has about a 1 to 1-1/2 inch group on the bench.

If that's the case I would consider you a damn good shot w/ that short bbl. I can't see that far anymore even with optics. Another one of the "benefits" of getting old...:crying_small:

[Full Otto]

I'm having a hard time getting and staying on line storms coming through this afternoon


If you guys give me a ballpark idea of for when you're getting together I'll make the drive.

may take some doing with logistics and all but for sure. In the mean time if you get around here come on by.
Maybe we can get "nut" in on it he's mentioned wanting to get together some time



I use a 30-30 for thick woods around here. But usually stick to my 308.

I've been looking around some more and the .308 isn't legal either at least for deer. That was from 2013 when a petition was trying to get it changed at least how the law reads I guess it's a little confusing,pistol rounds of a certain length but I didn't get all that into it
I think mostly around here it would be archery shotgun slug and BP. Some of those in lines are stating to get some distance on them from what I understand
I think the idea behind that is to keep shots at close range for cleaner kills and less wounded animals getting away only to die later never to be harvested

That's what most use around here some pistol maybe probably what my neighbor would prefer
Just want to be sure before asking him it could be a tough sell anyway, just so you know

[Silentkilla01]

I'm having a hard time getting and staying on line storms coming through this afternoon



may take some doing with logistics and all but for sure. In the mean time if you get around here come on by.
Maybe we can get "nut" in on it he's mentioned wanting to get together some time




I've been looking around some more and the .308 isn't legal either at least for deer. That was from 2013 when a petition was trying to get it changed at least how the law reads I guess it's a little confusing,pistol rounds of a certain length but I didn't get all that into it
I think mostly around here it would be archery shotgun slug and BP. Some of those in lines are stating to get some distance on them from what I understand
I think the idea behind that is to keep shots at close range for cleaner kills and less wounded animals getting away only to die later never to be harvested

That's what most use around here some pistol maybe probably what my neighbor would prefer
Just want to be sure before asking him it could be a tough sell anyway, just so you know

I'll barrow my brothers super hawk 44 magnum. That ought to work. I was reading your post before I got to the part about close distance hunting. I was thinking shit I'm i going to have to get a 700 nitro express to hunt up there! Lmao!!!

[FunkyPertwee]

I'll barrow my brothers super hawk 44 magnum. That ought to work. I was reading your post before I got to the part about close distance hunting. I was thinking shit I'm i going to have to get a 700 nitro express to hunt up there! Lmao!!!

Taking a deer with a 44 revolver would be badass.

[Silentkilla01]

Taking a deer with a 44 revolver would be badass.

Hell yes it would! I wish all the regulars on here could get together one day for about a week and just have a big shoot and Bon fires and kegs! Lol

[Full Otto]

I'll barrow my brothers super hawk 44 magnum. That ought to work. I was reading your post before I got to the part about close distance hunting. I was thinking shit I'm i going to have to get a 700 nitro express to hunt up there! Lmao!!!

Looks like that's ok if I'm reading it right remember I'm not up on this just googling
PDF
http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf
Handguns
Handguns, other than muzzleloading,
must have a barrel at least 4 inche
s long and must fire a bullet
of .243-inch diameter or la
rger. The handgun cartridge case, without the bullet, must be at least
1.16 inches long.
¾
Full metal-jacketed bullets
are not permitted.
¾
Handguns are not permitted on any military areas.
Some types of handgun cartridges legal for deer hunting include:
.357 Magnum
.41 Magnum
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.45 Colt
.45 Long Colt
.45 Winchester Magnum
.35 Remington
.357 Herrett.

Also from that

It is legal to carry a handgun while hunting
deer during the archery, firearm and muzzleloader
seasons, as long as the handgun is possessed under a
personal protection permit. It is not legal to take
a deer with a handgun except during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons and in compliance with
DNR regulations.

According to this that would be from Nov. 15 to Nov 30
http://www.eregulations.com/indiana/hunting/hunting-seasons/

You'll have to look into licensing and tags i just want to know what to ask my neighbor and what he'd be good with

I have another neighbor that has no clue and doesn't care. He has let a real asshat hunt on his little stretch of land for the last few years
Sets up on the fence line takes shot off my good neighbor's ground.
All he see's is antlers takes shots he shouldn't, too late in evening lots of times, and looses as many as he gets. Not popular around here and has messed it up for the others so The good neighbor is real protective but I'll ask him with this as a game plan:
Pistol sometime between the 15th and 30th?

[Silentkilla01]

I wonder if I can use my Taurus raging bull in 454. Casull. Lol

[Full Otto]

Doesn't matter it ain't happening anyway
Might not be any hunting there this year
Turns out the property is in litigation, has to do with dissolving a partnership with his brother and greedy in-laws.
Bad mix so sorry if I got your hopes up.
Call me douche #3 if you want but that's where it is

[Silentkilla01]

Doesn't matter it ain't happening anyway
Might not be any hunting there this year
Turns out the property is in litigation, has to do with dissolving a partnership with his brother and greedy in-laws.
Bad mix so sorry if I got your hopes up.
Call me douche #3 if you want but that's where it is

Dang Otto all you had to say is I don't want your scummy ass up here.......

[Full Otto]

Now you know I would have if that was the case #4
Let's keep that idea alive about a get together some place sometime with some members
That could be a good time

[Silentkilla01]

Now you know I would have if that was the case #4
Let's keep that idea alive about a get together some place sometime with some members
That could be a good time

Just give me a couple weeks notice and I'll be on my way.

[mrkalashnikov]

Since when did an Alabama deer poacher need "permission" or "tags" to hunt moving venison? Especially in some damn yankee state?

[Full Otto]

:munch:

[Silentkilla01]

Since when did an Alabama deer poacher need "permission" or "tags" to hunt moving venison? Especially in some damn yankee state?

LMAO! They don't.................. Just gonna respect ottos place. That's all.

[mrkalashnikov]

Well, I hope you can still make the trip at some point. I need to up my count of how many GNers I've met ftf.

[Zygomatic]

Getting this thread back on target... here is my skull mount.:wink:

http://i60.tinypic.com/30ij37k.jpg

[Silentkilla01]

Lmao! Hell yeah!

[Silentkilla01]

Well, I hope you can still make the trip at some point. I need to up my count of how many GNers I've met ftf.

Y'all just let me know a couple weeks before and I'll be on my way!

[Full Otto]

Getting this thread back on target... here is my skull mount.:wink:

http://i60.tinypic.com/30ij37k.jpg

Good one and just in time for Holloween
No bullet holes in that sign either, good score

[Zygomatic]

Halloween? That's been up in my garage full time for at least 10 years now... and you are right. That old plywood stop sign is not shot up.

[Full Otto]

Darn it I knew I spelled Halloween wrong

Finally tried it out last night

http://i62.tinypic.com/i1z3bq.jpg

[Full Otto]

Been getting back into it again lately. Found some pretty good deals on ebay I couldn't pass up
Also got one of those Mountain Mike's plastic skull kits from amazon for these Fallow antlers

http://i58.tinypic.com/2qd8s5w.jpg

It's a pretty good mold right out of the box this one is the Black Forest type
Amazon offered me a gift card if I got their debit card so what the heck under $8 shipped in two days
A little to white for my liking so I used a little very thinned down wood stain "colonial maple" and then rubbed it all down with dirt just plain dirt. Smeared it it in the cracks and niches after scratching them out deeper. I'm happy with it

Also spruced up the porch wall that I started this thread with

http://i58.tinypic.com/29mnclu.jpg

[Schuetzenman]

Nice.

[Full Otto]

Just found another one

http://i66.tinypic.com/14mg9dk.jpg

Guy at work surveying a ditch told me where to look. Finally got out today and found it
Down to mostly skeleton but still had to cut it free.
Haven't really had one with this much matter still on it. Lower jaws still attached and smelled pretty bad
Soaking it now to soften a little to clean better then boiling.
Never done that before but plan on using my Weber grill.
From what I've read it should work
...................
OK so I wound up using the stove kind of smelled like corned beef and cabbage so not horrible

http://i63.tinypic.com/rwow8w.jpg

[Schuetzenman]

Road kill or was it shot and the hunter lost it?

[Full Otto]

It may have been lost but appeared to be there longer than when hunting season opened so could have gotten hit
They head to the ditches to cool down from wounds I know, but some guys are thinking that blue tongue virus is showing up around here
Numbers are down but the ones that are here seem to be pretty big mature bucks not seen for the last few seasons
Migration maybe? I'm no longer with the surveyors dept but hope to find more on my own once and a while