Moose Antlers Please Help

How difficult is it to have a pair of Large Moose antlers mounted (antler Mount, not head mount) after the skull plate has been split?

I was told first that it will always be a weak mount, and then
another person told me that it is not difficult to do and the mount
will be strong?

Please help me out. I'll pay the extra shipping (which is steep) if I can't get these guys solidly and safely mounted (they're be kids running around under these things - I don't want any risk.)

Thanks in advance!

Return to Lifesize Mammal Taxidermy Category Menu

split moose antlers

Just bondo them back togeather. Make sure you bondo underneath and over the top of them.Should be no problem. Have done it several times with no problem.

Fiber glass reinforced bondo

Use 9 gauge wire to connect them and Don't use regular bondo you'll regret it use fiber hair bondo if you go that way

Guys, Bondo is NOT YOUR FRIEND

This all goes back to Bondo being an autobody FILLER not an adhesive. Moose antlers CAN be repaired but not with that crap. First, go to a hardware store and buy 3 heavy duty, 4inch brackets. (They simply steel flat bar with holes. If you can't find them, buy the 1/8 inch flat bar, cut it and drill 4 holes evenly spaced to accept #10 -1 inch screw. Counter sink all 4 holes.)

On ONE SIDE ONLY, screw two brackets on top of the skull. Secure it tightly. Slide the other half over to fit and see how much the brackets needs to be bent to fit flush on the other side. Bend the brackets, slide the antlers together tightly and secure with screws.

Now turn the set of antlers over. On the inside of the skull cap, between the two brackets on the outside, place your third bracket. Bend it so it lies against the brain cavity wall. Secure it.

NOW, get some fiberglass resin and catalyst OR you can use liquid epoxy. Mix it and saturate it with fiberglass chop. Pour this over that third bracket and into the brain cavity. With a tongue depressor, press it down all around the bracket and shape it so it's flat and contoured. Let it cure overnight.

Now, you antlers can be drilled and bolted to a panel or whatever you'd like. They will never move and likely never separate before a beam breaks first. Bondo won't last a day with heavy beams like a moose.

Bob

To answer your question.

Yes the antlers can be mounted and the mount can be made strong enough to be safe in your home.

You need to find a good taxidermist in your area, or let us know where you are located (give us a way to get in touch with you) and request someone near you to get in touch with you.

Doug

George is Right

Bondo wont hold, but fiber glass,and , or apoxie w/ straps will.I fix seperated skull plates all the time.It's realy not a big deal and perfectly safe(stronger than original), if done properly.

remember

he will also be screwing the antlers to a plaque of some sort. as long as you get 2 screws through each half into your wood back i think you will be fine with bondo as the screws will provide extra hold.

Gearge does it again....lol

I do moose mounts every year and caribou also. The skull caps are nearly always split (unless Boone & Crocket trophies that will be measured) in order to simplify shipping on bush planes and airlines.
I put them together in much the same manner as George does (old school method) and never had a set separate in 55 years. Good luck....JL

THANKS

Thanks. Is there someone on the East Coast that does this with regularity? Maryland, PA, West VA, VA, NC, or SC ?

I want it very secure.

Thanks for all the detail George and others.

Also

You might want to look into the artifical european mount skull.

I do Bob

Email me, I'm in NH and UPS does come this far north.

Me too, Bob

Though you managed to go all around my piddly little state of Delaware. LOL