I have finished my first Blackbuck antelope mount. I would like to know if there are any procedures for preserving the horns or will they be fine as they are. This is my second mount with horns and I expect to have more in the future and would like to have a system for this type of mount. I am very experianced with antlers and am very comfortable in the differant ways they can be repaired and finished but horns are new to me. Thanks for any information you can give me.
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And like the Cape Buffalo are a few other of the critters the cases won't slip off the cores, I mix a batch of catalyzed fiberglass resin and pour down inside the gap between the core and the case. I keep it hanging down till the fiberglass kicks. That way I never have worry about bugs down in there. I still spray a little creolin around the bases as an extra protection. I'm sure liquid Sevin will work as well.
The horns came off the core fine. I was wondering if there was a finish coat that should be aplied to the outside of the horn or not. I saw or heard somewhere that a finish could darken the horn permanently. What is creolin and where could I purchase it should I decide to use it.
Thanks, Dave
It's a coal oil dirivative that smells much like creosote. It is used extensively in the animal care industry and sold by most farm supply stores. It disinfects, kills mold and mildew and does a great job in keeping insects away.
I always coat my black bucks with 50/50 linseed oil/turpentine. I don't know how you could discolor their horns as they're black and the 50/50 just brightens it and gets rid of the dirt look that sometimes effects their appearance.
Thanks for the information.
Dave
get this directory book from the kimbi game reserve at very low cost.it is very elaborate.you can demand as much as you can
Mop-N-Glow or any other "waxy" type liquid. Most Blackbuck horns are dark, but not black. Oil based susbstance will make them darker than they would have been.
I do like tehe fact that there is something that will keep bugs away as George mentioned, but I would still think the oil would darker them.