saving stinky antlers in velvet

[ruggles]

Are there any methods to save antlers in velvet, I have a set that have been hanging upside down and are draining for 5 days, I also have already put on two coats of "antler in velvet tan", these stink and will fall apart if I touch them in some areas, any ideas??

Thanks,
Ron

[pgust]

Perhaps placing them in a self defrosting freezer for 6 months to a year might help tighten up the velvet to the antler.
As for the smell - maybe the skunk or fish odor removers the supply catalogs sell might work; but dry them first. Fabreeze (sp?) may help if the odor isn't too bad.

Paul

[Hill Country Taxidermy]

Did you inject the tan into the antlers or just paint it on?  It sounds like the velvet is completely rotten....if it slides off at the touch and is green underneath, I'm afraid it is a lost cause!  (Been there done that)  I had an axis come in that they found three days later after having been shot (still alive) in the Texas summer heat.  Needless to say, I was in your situation.  After gagging, I powerwashed the rack, dried it out, and sent it to Ben Jones for Artifical Velvet Replacement.....he does excellent work, great turnaround time, and great price.

[pinnacle]

How does a person get ahold of Ben Jones?

[joeym]

Place the antlers in a Rubbermaid tote.  Pour about 1/2" of denatured alcohol in the container, and mist them with DA in a mist bottle to the point of saturation.  Keep the lid tightly on the container, and store in a well ventilated place.  Mist them daily for a week, leaving them in the container for 30 days.  Take them out and let them air dry in a cool shady place for a few days.  If the velvet has not set by then, it is a loss.  Wear a respirator while opening the container each time.  The gasses coming off the DA are not good for your lungs.

[outwoods taxidermy]

soak them in alum, will set whats left straight away

[ruggles]

Did you inject the tan into the antlers or just paint it on?  It sounds like the velvet is completely rotten....if it slides off at the touch and is green underneath, I'm afraid it is a lost cause!  (Been there done that)  I had an axis come in that they found three days later after having been shot (still alive) in the Texas summer heat.  Needless to say, I was in your situation.  After gagging, I powerwashed the rack, dried it out, and sent it to Ben Jones for Artifical Velvet Replacement.....he does excellent work, great turnaround time, and great price.

How do you get ahold of ben?
please advise,
Thank you,
Ron

[joeym]

Ben Jones
 6610 3rd St.
 College Grove Tn 37046
 Shop 615-530-8817
 Cell   615-517-0001
 Email  replicaracks@aol.com