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Following in MK's foot step's: Game Head Sunday's

Discussion in 'Deer and Gameheads' started by michael p., Apr 29, 2007.

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  1. Apr 29, 2007 #1
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Texas Damnit!!
    I'm gonna try to follow what MK had started & show how I do a support for a European Elk. I personally like to use a wood block in back because you can adjust it & raise or lower it with out showing any flaws you may have made drilling your pilot holes. And it is what works best for me.

    I DO NOT use a yellow pine 2x4 for my wood block, it has to much of a tendancy to crack. I use white wood. I cut out the back of the head & then use a dremel tool to make any precarious cuts I may have. I round the tops of the block a little to contour to the elks inner skull. I drill 3 holes in the top of the block to give more holding power for the bondo. once bondo is set in with the block I turn the elk over & level the block and head by positioning the horns against the wall. once almost dry I scrape & remove any excess bondo. I then touch up paint any needed areas in the back. I let it set a while allowing the bondo to completely harden. I then align the head into position on the plaque & mark where I want my pilot holes. I counter sink the holes for the 5/8" x 4" lag bolt's I am using and drill me a pilot hole into my wood block. I attach a heavy duty hanger to my plaque & attach the european mount to the plaque with 1 lag bolt. I flip it over, make any nessacary adjustments and drill my second pilot hole and attach the 2nd lag bolt .

    getting the hole ready
    [​IMG]

    the white wood block

    [​IMG]

    3 holes
    [​IMG]

    getting ready to add the bondo
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    flip it over right away and level the block
    [​IMG]

    clean any excess bondo & touch up paint the block
    [​IMG]

    adjust on plaque, drill all holes & secure (plaque is from Robert Martinez @ Texas Driftwood)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The finished product. I also do all my whitetails & muledeer the same way, but using a 1x2 & smaller screws
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Apr 29, 2007 #2
    Mr.T

    Mr.T Active Member

    21,636
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    my house
    Michael, would you do an North American Elk the same way as the European Elk? ::)
     

  5. Apr 29, 2007 #3
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Smart A$$!!! :D LOL
     
  6. Apr 29, 2007 #4
    Nina Lukaszewicz

    Nina Lukaszewicz Outdoor Dreams Taxidermy

    6,702
    6
    Thats really cool,. i love the driftwood paired with the skulls
     
  7. Apr 30, 2007 #5
    Cooter

    Cooter Member

    383
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    Excel, Alabama
    Hello m.p
    great step by step pic i am sure it will help alot of people..gitter done ;D
     
  8. Apr 30, 2007 #6
    hampshire

    hampshire New Member

    4,480
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    Lumberton, TX
    Good post but you need to clean your fingernails, they are discusting. I think you have some longhorn gunk in them. New meaning of stinky finger.
     
  9. Apr 30, 2007 #7
    hampshire

    hampshire New Member

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    Lets see the travel trailer.
     
  10. Apr 30, 2007 #8
    mk

    mk -30 below

    3,784
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    thanks for taking over for me michael p. good post, what is do is use a toggle bolt drill a small hole in the middle back of the skull, then insert the bolt- no toggle at this point, then put it on the panel. i then mark on the panel where the end on the bolt hits thats where i drill though the panel put the bolt through then drill a bigger hole in the skull to allow the toggle to go through. i then stick my finger in through the hole of the skull-where the spine comes out and hold the toggle as i use a screwdriver in my other hand to tighten it to the panel. on big stuff elk or moose, i will do the same thing but bondo a small piece of plywood inbetween the teeth on the palate then just use a drywall screw to secure it along with the toggle bolt above it.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2007 #9
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Look's good MK :)
     
  12. May 1, 2007 #10
    Dooly

    Dooly New Member

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    Michael P, thanks. Great post! Post like this one are the reason people come to this site. I know you just taught me a different method for European mounts. Also, the friendly fire between you and Darrell crack me up! Thanks!
     
  13. May 1, 2007 #11
    hampshire

    hampshire New Member

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    Does that wood come from the drift wood guy or do toy cut and plane it?
     
  14. May 1, 2007 #12
    Dooly

    Dooly New Member

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    Darrell, I saw your picture before it got "gonged". It made me belly laugh! Hilarious!
     
  15. May 1, 2007 #13
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Texas Damnit!!
    Yeah, Robert Martinez in college Station, Tx. texas driftwood.com
     
  16. May 1, 2007 #14
    AndyO

    AndyO meow

    3,218
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    Illinois
    Nice work Michael. Do you clean your own skulls or send them out?
     
  17. May 1, 2007 #15
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Texas Damnit!!
    I clean them all myself. The whitetail , muledeer, axxis, etc., etc, etc, Im simmer (NOT BOIL) in water, baking soda & dawn & bleach with 40 volume bleach from the beauty shop. The elk, moose, longhorns, etc. I put in 1 of 2 300 gallon Rubbermaid tubs I have in back like in the pic below to rot off
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. May 1, 2007 #16
    AndyO

    AndyO meow

    3,218
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    Illinois
    Your drain on the tub is facing the wrong way. You want the stink water to drain away from your property (across the fence) ;D
     
  19. May 2, 2007 #17
    Jon S

    Jon S Well-Known Member

    1,171
    60
    South Carolina
    Michael, Good looking finished product, strong too. I always used the toggle bolts, never did an elk though. Your method is good and strong.
     
  20. May 3, 2007 #18
    michael p.

    michael p. Getting better with age :)

    25,278
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    Texas Damnit!!
    Thank you Jon. I tryed toggle bolts but like the white wood better. It's kinda like tan's, which ever works best fot you is the best way ;) :)
     
  21. May 3, 2007 #19
    crankin

    crankin New Member

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    i like that driftwood! i am also a toggle bolt user, but i think i might have to try this way out just to try it.....
     
  22. May 3, 2007 #20
    hampshire

    hampshire New Member

    4,480
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    Lumberton, TX
    Thank you Michael for this inspirational post. You have inspired many of us to think out of the box while


    PUTTING A FREAKIN SKULL ON A PEICE OF WOOD!!!!
     
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