Hello all, I searched the archives about doing an elk rack panel mount but didn't come up with much. I have done many moose and caribou racks, but when I look at the elk rack it isn't going to mount the same as it came off the animal because the rack extends so far backwards. How do you do this to make it look as normal as possible? When I think about it, I don't remember ever seeing just a elk rack mount. Is it even possible to do without changing the shape of the rack? Thank you.
Ryan
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The secret is as close as your floor. Take the antler cap and the cap mannikin. Cut the skull to fit the slot OR make your own mannikin to fit. But at least a 3/4 inch piece of plywood as its backboard. Set the mannikin on the floor. Now lay the antlers down on the manniken. Drill holes perpendicular to the floor through the skull and screw at least #12 screws or 3/8 inch lag bolts into the back board. (I usually run them through the board and then grind off the back sides.) I then take Bondo, thickened with Cabosil and fill the voids and shape the new skull area. I cover in buckskin. Doing it this way will always keep those strange, kicker, sticker, drop tines from messing with you later. A plaque placed on the back of the mannikin will keep your antlers flat against the wall with just about 3/4 inch clearance to spare.
One other thing that I will do before I put the buck skin on is to put a layer of 1/2 " foam (cut to fit exactly like your buckskin pattern ) and place this on first and it really gives a soft appearance and hides little viods and gaps as well. B.B