How do I prep a basic skull mount?

biederboat · 10-06-2002, 10:40 AM

Hello, first time post for me on this board. How do I prep a basic skull mount (top portion of skull sawed off flat. This is a forkinhorn muley with the skull pad about 6" x 6" cut just through the eye socket. I have been salting a bit after cleaning out the inside. Do I need to remove the remaining hide or is there a way I can properly cure it attached to the skull? The goal is just to make a simple mount out of it (that won't stink!!).

Thanks,
Biederboat

Big TULE · 10-06-2002, 02:59 PM

I did a basic skull mount with my bull elk basically i boiled the skin and fat off not to long the antlers will fall off. And then i took a torch untill i had a nice light black chared look to it. It has never smelled bad or looked rotten.

nerta · 10-07-2002, 03:11 PM

remove the hide or you'll be sorry later,when clean( hideoff ) boil the skull cap, scrape any remaining flesh off and let dry. to keep it from shrinking rub glycerin on it, it won't stop all shrinking but will help. ( put it on an ant hill for a week if you don't want to boil it but watch the neighbors dogs)

OneLastCast · 10-07-2002, 03:19 PM

Let me tell you what I do. Kind of the lazy mans way. I clean up the skull cap completely, hair and all and then let it sit in the garage for awhile to cure up.( Awhile lasts anywhere from 3 months to 3 years)

While the horns are curing, spend a few weekends looking for an old leather coat at every garage sale you stop at looking for fishing gear.

Buy the coat.

I assume you have already cut and stained the board you want to mount the horns to. If not, get off your butt and do that.

Wait another month.

Cut another board about the size of the head plate.

Wait another month.

Wander around the garage and find the horns that are drying. If you have waited long enough the maggots that were eating the brain material that you forgot to clean out will be gone. While you are wandering, try to find the board you stained and the board you cut.

Go to the store and buy some plaster of paris.

Wander around the garage again and try to remember where you put everything else.

Pour yourself a drink.

Now the work begins.
1. Mount the skull plate to the small board you cut with three or four wood screws.

2. Mix the plaster and coat over the entire skull plate and under the base of the horns so you have a smooth rounded surface. Make the plaster and wood interface smooth. (this always brings back memories of childhood)

3.Wait for the plaster to dry. (Might as well pour yourself another drink)

4. Turn the leather coat inside out (that is where the leather looks brand new). Cut a piece of leather that will fit over the plaster. Make sure it is large enough to staple onto the back side of the small wood plate that you mounted the horns to. If you make it to big you can always trim the excess.

5. Do not pour yourself a drink at this stage

6. Using a staple gun, staple the edge of the leather on on the back side of the small board while you are pulling it tight over the plaster. It is usually best to start at the bottom with a couple of staples and then start pulling the leather tight to the top. Staple the top and then start working the leather around the base of the horns, stapling it to the back as you go. When you are done you have a smooth leather covering over the skull cap and plaster on the front and the leather stapled to the board on the back. Trim any lumps of leather on the back so it will sit flat on the mounting board.

7. Now you can mount the finished skull and back board on to your stained plaque with some wood screws run through the back of the plaque in to the mounting board.

8. Either buy a special hanger for pictures to mount on the back or tear off the flip top of your beer can and attach that with a small nail. Either will hold it to a nail on the wall.

9. Pour another drink. Hang the horns on the wall. Sit on the couch admire the horns and remember the hunt and all the fun you had.
Holler for the wife and say "Honey, Look What I Did"

10. Get off the couch and move the horns to the den after the wife says "You don't plan on leaving those there , DO YOU??"

Hope that helps.

OneLastCast

mudsucker · 10-07-2002, 04:16 PM

OneLastCast... I have two blacktail racks and a elk rack that i need mounted if you have the time and enough to drink :grin: I'm not in a hurry for these..(thats apparent since they have been hanging around the shop for 5 or 6 years) but they are cured out nicely. Could also donate some wood and possably a bottle with a little left in it( you would have to work a little faster than in the past or you would get thirsty) Well let me know i could drop the off sometime in the next year or so...

OneLastCast · 10-07-2002, 04:34 PM

Thats an interesting offer Mud. I will give it considerable consideration and get right back to you next july or so.

OneLastCast

mudsucker · 10-07-2002, 04:44 PM

No hurry OneLastCast don't want to rush into anything...

biederboat · 10-08-2002, 07:51 PM

Hey dudes (especially Onelastcast), thanks for taking the time to write all that up, entertainment and education, you can't beat that!

Thanks,
Biederboat

skein · 10-08-2002, 07:53 PM

Damn, I need to re-read the directions. I got to the part where I poured a drink, then I forgot what I was out in the garage for....

Skein - puzzled as always

mudsucker · 10-08-2002, 08:06 PM

Don't feel bad Skein thats why it takes oneLastCast so long to get one done :grin: :grin:

SureSet · 01-15-2003, 06:23 PM

I gotta hand it to you and say "Thanks!" OLC. I took about as many months as you said, I consumed about as many drinks as you said, and it went about as smoothly as you said! Seriously though, rather than cut and stain a board, I found a nice place for panels on-line called Walnut Creek Hardwood. Got a panel from them for $10 and finished my home mount last week using your method. It was simple and turned out well for the 15 bucks I put into it (not counting drinks.....).

Thanks Again!

SureSet