I have an old mount and want to replace the horns with a new set. Im a beginner and want information on replacing the horns. Im most concerned with how to attach the new horns. The new horns are dropped horns found on my property. Thanks Mo Davis
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Deer, Elk, Moose, all have Antlers. LOL
Now that I have stated facts that all of us know,
You will have to do a lot of things.
First, you will have to rehydrate the skin on the scalp to get to the stitches, and to be able to pull the skin back enough to remove all the material that is making up the back of the head on the mount, could be clay, paper mache', plaster, bondo, the list goes on.
After you break all that away from the skull cap, you will have to remove the screws or what ever the taxidermist attached the skull to the form with.
Then you remove the antlers, and skull.
Now, the hard part. You have to figure out how you want to mount the shed antlers back on the old mount.
You can buy a replacement skull cape, and put them on that with lag srews, all thread, or what ever method you wish. Bailing wire and duct tape may work, but will not be very sturdy, LOL
Then you simply cut it to fit the old form, then fill in the material you broke out and then sew it back up around the new antlers.
Now, a few points you will have to consider.
First, the age of the mount.
If it is very old, the skin may not handle this and fall apart.
Second, Is it tanned or preserved.
Tanned skins will rehydrate, preserved skins will not.
Third, the condition of the mount.
Is it worth all this work? Maybe a newer nice looking cape, mounted on a new form and with up ot date materials will make the mount look a lot better?
IN actuallality, there are a lot more information you will need to do a good job, I just do not want to go on and on.
If the form is an old paper form, it could start to get flimsy if it gets wet!
Anyway, I hope you can use any of this info, I can answer more dirrect questions if you wish to ask.