I purchased a set of antlers on ebay. One tine is broken off, but I can fix that easily. What I really need to know concerns the skull plate. Whoever cut the antlers of this deer cut the skull straight down right behind the antler burrs. I think it would be hard to set these on a mannikin like this. Question is, should I try to set them anyway and rebuild what's missing of the skull cap with bondo. Or, should I buy one of those shed antler caps for $5 from McKenzie's and just cut the antlers off the original skull below the burrs? Any help is appreciated. Thanks a bunch.
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I have a whole bunch of taxidermy supply books they have a skull plate mold for that purpose. I'm in school right now but I'll have the info for you tomarrow say around 8-9a.m.
I'd go ahead and use them as they are. Some forms have the 'brain ridge' built into them, so I'd just set them in the proper position, screw them in and then use whatever you normally use to blend it all. (Clay, mache, whatever...).
On the forms without the brain ridge, I usually drill my three holes through the bone, flip them upside-down and fill the brain cavity with bondo. I level that off flat and let set. (I usually use a paper towel laid over the bondo, flatten it with my hand and let it dry that way. Helps hold the bondo in shape.) Then, position on mannikin and screw into place, filling in the voids as above.
Works for me, anyway.
I'd never saw antlers to be mounted off the skull plate for ANY reason. Simply cut in front of the burr as you would normally and screw them to your mannikin. Then create a skull and brain cavity filler with Bondo.
In addition...when you cut the antlers off the skulls you process yourself...please do...take measurements of the first tine to the nose tip...so you will be able to set the antlers on the form for proper balance...not too far back or too far forward.
If you have a problem setting the correct angle on the antlers you have now...,measure the rack first tine tro nose tip of an alreadsy mounted quality deer head. Keep your measurements for future references.
References are utmost important in this business. Without them...you are just stuffin stuf by second-guessing what to do...then all 'the other Rheindeers will Laff and call it by names'.
~ ETCC
I set all my antlers in bondo when mounting, so this one would be no different. You can carry some of it up over the top a bit, and use fibreglass chop for additional strength if needed.
Just set and screw down with bondo don't cut them off.