Question on antler repair

I always do my repairs Before I mount. Im too damn messy to do it any other time than that.

 

X2. I screw mine down on a piece of wood. so I can turn it in all directions to work on it. put that's just me.

 

I fix afterwards. When adjusting deer on stand I would more likely forget and manhandle the repaired tine and have it snap off in my hand.

 

X2. And i can get a better perspective of what needs doing with it mounted.

 

I like to do the repair prior to mounting and then color the repair when I am finishing the mount. This way I can do a batch of repairs at one time, which is more efficient. My coloring process does involve a base coat of lacquer airbrushed on, so doing that while I am finishing the deer also saves time. Besides I don't like to mount a deer with finished, repaired antlers because it is easy mess up the painted repair by bumping it.

 

Larger ones I do before and smaller ones such as a couple inches or so after.

 

before