Euro Mounts and Taxidermy Upkeep

[Martin77]

Quick question…what does everyone use to keep their Euro Mounts looking nice. I’ve heard WD[emoji640][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]] for the horns but before I do anything I would like to hear everyone’s ideas on here first. Thank you

 

[mark-hunter]

I wipe the dust.

I have one euro mount from red deer (stag), dated 1968, which I inherited from grandfather.
That one had yellowish color of bone from ageing.
I removed it from the plaque, and applied peroxide 30% (standard chemical for scull whitening).
On application of chemical I heard the sound like the bone was cracking.
The scull did not crack, but the yellowish color was not removed either.
I aborted the attempt, and put it back on plaque, and back on the wall.
Since then, I just wipe the dust.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Johnsons Paste Wax is what we use on antlers and horns. Unfortunately, they stopped making the stuff. Minwax still makes paste wax. Haven't tried it yet.

 

[wiyofa]

I wipe the dust.

I have one euro mount from red deer (stag), dated 1968, which I inherited from grandfather.
That one had yellowish color of bone from ageing.
I removed it from the plaque, and applied peroxide 30% (standard chemical for scull whitening).
On application of chemical I heard the sound like the bone was cracking.
The scull did not crack, but the yellowish color was not removed either.
I aborted the attempt, and put it back on plaque, and back on the wall.
Since then, I just wipe the dust. I recently installed a Honda windshield on my Pioneer and it’s been a great upgrade. It really helps reduce wind and debris while riding, especially on dusty trails. The fit was perfect and installation was pretty straightforward. I went with a vented model, which gives me some airflow control during warmer days. If you’re looking to improve comfort and visibility, a quality windshield is definitely worth considering.

Hi, I’ve had two WY antelope and a small high-cascade buck taking space in my freezer for some time now. My daughter would like to see them on her wall when she moves to MT. I need recommendations for someone to call about making some euro mounts. Much appreciated!

 

[mark-hunter]

@wiyofa

My taxidermist works on occasion for national hunting museum. I could recommend him, but unfortunately we both live in Croatia.

 

[Wyfox]

Hi, I’ve had two WY antelope and a small high-cascade buck taking space in my freezer for some time now. My daughter would like to see them on her wall when she moves to MT. I need recommendations for someone to call about making some euro mounts. Much appreciated!

Just about any taxidermist will do euros. I prefer to find one that has dermestid beetles, makes a nicer euro with the nasal cavity complete.

Our local high school biology program has a beetle room and they do skulls for hunters during hunting season and charge $75-100 per, it helps fund the school. When you drop your head off there's always 4-5 kids skinning heads in the room.

 

[mark-hunter]

dermestid beetles, makes a nicer euro with the nasal cavity complete.

What are the dermestid beetles? Never heard of this?!

 

[Wyfox]

What are the dermestid beetles? Never heard of this?!

Buy Dermestid Beetle Kits - Skull Taxidermy

Dermestid Beetles do all the work when it comes to skull cleaning. Our Dermestid Beetle Kits offer customers the opportunity to start their own colony.

skulltaxidermy.com

 

[Russ16]

Buy Dermestid Beetle Kits - Skull Taxidermy

Dermestid Beetles do all the work when it comes to skull cleaning. Our Dermestid Beetle Kits offer customers the opportunity to start their own colony.

skulltaxidermy.com

If your daughter is moving to Montana the guy that sells those is there. He also does nice euro mounts. Give him a call.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If your daughter is moving to Montana the guy that sells those is there. He also does nice euro mounts. Give him a call.

Be forwarned: the beetles are a pain to maintain. We tried them for a while. Still see one roaming in the house occasionally. Colonies are subject to annihilation by tiny mites.

We generally simmer our clients' skulls, pick the flesh away, simmer again as needed, then bleach with a paste of 40 volume peroxide and Clairol whitener powder. No problems maintaining nasal membranes. Always remove brain first (VERY greasy!). I made a tool from steel rod with loop on the end that I use with power drill to suck the brain from skull through the spinal port.

Recently I discovered acetone works well for removing grease from bear and hog skulls. Must be left to soak in a tightly sealed container. Very volatile so be careful! I use an enameled boiler pan and lid sealed with masking tape. For hogs I drill small holes discreetly where needed to allow acetone into jaw marrow. Very greasy in there! I just finished the two warthogs messed up by taxidermist from first two safaris. Those were covered in grease. First one was painted white to cover it up. Also, the jaw was glued to the skull with two huge gobs of window glazing putty (and painted over). Other stuff in those shipments was in much worse shape. Needless to say those morons are no longer getting my business. Had an awful time cleaning up their mess. One skull of eighteen was okay to hang on the wall out of the crates. Warthogs finished up very nicely with acetone treatment. Oh, also be careful to dry the skulls COMPLETELY before subjecting to peroxide bleach. Acetone and peroxide are explosive and unstable when combined.

 

[wesheltonj]

I've used Sno-Seal (bees wax) on White-tail antlers.