I have a problem! I mounted my first deer about a month ago. I didn't have all of the things I needed, but made do with what I had. I was very anxious to finish the first one. It looked ok for the first one, I guess. The problem came about because a friend grabbed the mount by the head and shook it. The antlers are now a little wobbly and I would like to know if there is a way to solidify them. I fastened the antlers on with one screw and put clay around them to help hold! I know now not to cut any corners, but that doesn't help with this mount! I searched the archives, maybe not in the right area, but I didn't find a suitable answer! Any help would be appreciated!
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funny that this post is popoing up now. Working on the same problem on caribou antlers at this time. The way I fix this kind of problem is, I rehydrate the hide between the antlers. After a day or two I open up the incision (the Y or 7 cut) and pull back the hide to expose the skullplate. Now you can either tighten the screws or insert additional ones for added strenght. Close up the incision and that should be it. Always works on mine, should work on your too.
Thanks for the quick response! I'll give it a shot!
Most folks use 3 or 4 screws to fasten the skull plate to the form. After you re-hydrate, just drill some more holes in the skull and screw it down. How did you ever expect one screw to hold that in place?
I also had a brian lapse years ago & forgot to srew any srewsinto rack after bondoing it on.Drill holes though the hide & skull plate.Then screw your rack down, make sure the srew head goes though the hide.Sew hole's up.
Newbie, I use at least four screws on deer and six on bigger stuff. For deer, minimum three and a half-inch grabbers, angle them into the head at different angles, like dogging in nails, to create further strength. Do not overtighten or you'll strip them out. Rehydrate the incision and open it just enough to tighten and add more while you're at it. Always overkill on this. Despite telling my customers NOT to handle te mount by the antlers "because they may work loose over time", the first thing they do as soon as they've paid you your cash is grab them by the antler, swing 'em out the door and toss 'em in the car. I've got the money and it's their problem now. A guy can only do so much.