I have recently shot a New Mexico antelope and want to mount just the skull cap and horns. It was a very,very old boy and will save the mounting money for a more suitable set of horns. I would like to do the processing (boiling and etc.) myself so I could use some guidance.I thank all of you for your help and time in answering this question.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
The horns are made of hair and boiling them will destroy them. Put the skull in a plastic bag for a week or so and the cases will slip off. Then and only then, should you boil the skull and the cores. Once completed, reinstall the cases over the cores with a good epoxy glue. Don't use Bondo, it won't hold permanently like epoxy.
I thought the horns were kerotin, and I've always boiled them with great success. Just long enough to pop them off though. But I've never had a problem with it. However I will agree that Bondo will not hold them very well.
Hair, claws, horn, fingernails: All keratin.
They are a completely different genus from the hooved animals and are absolutely the ONLY member of their genetic family. Obviously, no other horned animal SHEDS it's horns each year. Look at one the next time. It is comprised of tiny hairs and even the cores are hairy. The pronghorn horn is like the rhinocerous horn...made of hair.
i've nuked antelope horns putting them in the micro for about 15 seconds at a time. keep checking to see if they're loose,and don't overdue the amount of time . i've done many with no problem!