I kept my fist antlers from a few years ago in a old cotton army bag (wife didnt care to look at them). They didnt have a problem and look fine. Because of this I didnt think that anything needed to be done to preserve them. This year took my deer on 8/5/06. Kept them in a garbage bag until today when I opened them up to a crazy stench, a little bit of mold and the hair falling off. Having a nice set of velvet antlers is out of the question since one side is about 30% hairless. What can I do now. Is there a way to stop it quickly or do they look ok and is it even possible to take the velvet off? I hope its not too late and I am looking forward to some experienced help. Its a rookie move I know but my second deer so you guys can call me the rookie. Please help
The Rookie.
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We call it "rot". You were just lucky the first time and this time you're SOL. The velvet is actually living tissue feeding the bone growth underneath. Once the blood flow stops, the velvet need immediate attention. Otherwise, it rots. Case closed.
You've waited too late for "experienced help". You can set them in a bucket of water and let them rot out, but with whitetail, the natlers are likely quite spongy and will dry up looking like a Graham cracker with the same fragility.
I am sure its the same but I have to ask. Are wt any different than mule. Maybe i could have a little luck.
And the answer is NO. There's no difference in velvet on cervids. Even a blind pig finds an acorn occasionally. Your luck ran out after the first acorn.
Thanks for your help on the natlers as you spelled it and no offense taken by your comments. Anyone referring to blind pigs and acorns doesn't offend me. Good night Georgie Porgie
Some taxidermy supply companies sell velvet tan, I dont know how well it works, but it is worth a try I guess if you are going to harvest any more early season deer. I would suggest also, if you really want the antlers still, a more expensive route would be to clean the dead skin off REALY WELL and have it revelveted by Research. Again, its expensive, so...