Here are the pics of my deer. I'm really pleased with the carving job and bleaching that Jan did.

I'd have to add that this is what a European mount should look like. I have some bleached skulls that look nice but some people call a bleached skull a European mount and I think that's not right. Just my 2 cents.

the chef

Chef,

No doubt, I certify this is an european mount. Congs, the carved plate is arsticallly made and the proportions are right, twice the length and twice the width of the skull.

The German school is sometimes mounting the whole skull (without the lower jaw)
This solution is not the most beautiful for 2 reasons : first the skull is larger, thus the antlers (or horns) seem smaller, 2nd displaying the upper teeth looks grim .
Should one need to keep teeth to prove the game's age, the good skull-plate makers carve a cavity in the back of the plate to put a portion of the lower jaw sawed ahead of the premolars and behind the molars.

Chef, congratulate your plate maker as one have to congratulate You for Your splendid trophy, both are matching

Very, very nice. I do about the same thing because I can't afford to have them mounted. I like the shine on the skull, what was it coated with?

That is simply beautiful! Thanks for showing it.

Penny

Thanks plinker I think so too. Not because they are my antlers but because of the whole package. It really has taken on a different look it's a combination of the carving as well as the whitness and shape of the skull. I guess it seems to me more like a fine art piece than a trophy. Bfr shooter it's just spray acrylic.

the chef

Chef,

I'm thinking about doing a plaque that has a slanted surface, tilting the antlers to a more natural angle... I'll put up a picture if I ever get this done. For now the boiling is done, and the cleaning.... what did you use to bleach? I used chlorine based bleach on my wolf skull and wasn't too happy about the results. I used to have a few gallons of this 30% hydrogen peroxide paste-like stuff, but somehow they didn't want me to ship that from Europe... I've been looking for an alternative ever since... the watered down hair bleach stuff is not potent enough I feel.

BTW, I've got all sorts of European mounts... some cut the way you did, others that have just cut off the upper jaw and a bit of the back of the skull. I prefer the latter... but it's all "in the eye of the beholder" I reckon.

Frans

Frans,

Do you mean a plaque like the one's T Carr has for his buffalo skulls in the picture below?...



I need to get one for my whitetail skull mount. I like the antlers to sit up in a more natural pose, rather than the effect of looking straight into them from above.

Frans, go to a local hairdressing salon to get the peroxide you want! They'll usually sell their "part" bottles for cash. I use(d) a 40% paste like solution that I got from a hairdresser...works much better than anything you can buy retail.

Calgary-chef, love the deer. Especially the unique plaque. Who made it for you?

Cheers,
Canuck

there is a taxidermist supply house in Calgary. Peroxide, magnesium carbonate are available. Mix the two to make a paste and voila--a professional result. I'm thinking about installing a peeled log in my basement to mount skulls onto-- then the angle can be adjusted to suit each one.

the chef

[QUOTE]Originally posted by calgarychef1:
there is a taxidermist supply house in Calgary. Peroxide, magnesium carbonate are available. Mix the two to make a paste and voila--a professional result. I'm thinking about installing a peeled log in my basement to mount skulls onto-- then the angle can be adjusted to suit each one.

Canuck a fellow named Yan did the mount, Nice guy and he does a lot of nice work for some big name guys. Shoot me a pm if you want the phone #

the chef

Canuck,

Yes exactly, those things! I didn't grow up with whitetails and to me the drooping antlers on a flat wall mounted skulls look rather peculiar. Much nicer when the antlers are more or less horizontal... my opinion anyway.

My wife needs a hair cut soon apparently, I'll try to get her to bing me some peroxide. Thanks.

Frans

Chef, Frans and Canuck,

Now this discussion might get me to do a Euro mount!

I never liked the "Euro mounts" I saw on USA walls, now I know there's a proper way.

Don

Now, that is most probably the best mount I have seen in my life. I like all the detail. I cannot see that any wife will be complaining about having that masterpiece in her house. You have something to be proud off

I went to the local beauty shop supply place here in town and bought the peroxide paste that is used when women (and men too I guess) have their hair frosted. You can get enough to do 2 large skulls (feral hogs) for less than $10.

That's one thing I do like it the horns at a natural angle. Maybe the next one..............it's good to get as many as possible and do different styles, and try different ideas!!

I have a bear skull I've been playing with for a couple years I'm still not exactly sure how I'm going to do it. When I cleaned it I purposly didn't whiten it sot it has a natural look. I'm kind of thinking of laying it on natural river rocks and driftwood. My idea is to make it look like it's lying on the floor of the forest or near a river. Like it would look in nature.

the chef