How long to boil Deer Antlers?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long to boil Deer Antlers?

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:35:09 PM EDT

Got a really nice 8 point. 11 inch G2's. Don't have the $500 for a mount, so am boiling the skull right now.
So how long should I boil it before scrapping to make sure that it's good before doing a simple skull/velvet mount.
I have others that I just let "dry" for a year or so and then mounted on a Oak board, but this one I would really like to get mounted quick.
Thanks for your help/advice.

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:37:31 PM EDT

[#1]

If you are talking about the skull plate, you don't need to boil it. Carefully cut the hide off, pull off the membrane on the brain side and let it dry for a month. That's it.

Congrats!

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:41:10 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Got a really nice 8 point. 11 inch G2's. Don't have the $500 for a mount, so am boiling the skull right now.
So how long should I boil it before scrapping to make sure that it's good before doing a simple skull/velvet mount.
I have others that I just let "dry" for a year or so and then mounted on a Oak board, but this one I would really like to get mounted quick.
Thanks for your help/advice.

Just keep pulling it out every few minutes and scrape off what you can. Then boil it more. Repeat.

The object is to loosen up all the meaty matter so you can scrape it off. It won't just boil off.

If you want a really unusual mount....pressure cook the antlers. They'll soften up enough that you can tie knots in the tines.

It'll blow peoples minds!

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:45:58 PM EDT

[#3]

just drop it in a creek tied to a line on a bank for a couple of weeks....completely clean and white!

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:50:17 PM EDT

[#4]

I don't care how long you boil them, they are still not gonna be tender enough to eat!

Posted: 12/12/2005 6:51:25 PM EDT

[#5]

Thanks, I have pulled them out and scrapped.
I'll just keep at it.
This is the largest buck I have ever gotten.
I really think that Dr. Alt's DMP / Antler restrictions are showing promise here in PA.
Thanks for the info.
And NO I won't twist these antlers around!!!

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:06:15 PM EDT

[#6]

Drop yourself a handful of Arm and Hammer Washing Powder (by regular washing detergent) in the boiling water and it will help you get the meat off easer and also degrease the skull. Don't overcook or the teeth will fall out and the skull will get chalky and brittle.

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:17:22 PM EDT

[#7]

I can tell you that they will still be tough no matter how long you boil 'em.

You know, I prefer a mount with just the antlers.

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:38:00 PM EDT

[#8]

I just did that this past year and I had all the meat off in 12hrs, I worked on it all damn day. Someone told me to be careful about getting the antlers in the pot. Its hanging in my 4yr olds room.

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:42:39 PM EDT

[#9]

I usually just put them in the yard and let nature do all the work, of course that probably works better in Florida this time of year (still have plenty of bugs). From experience I can say it is a good idea to tie them to something though so nothing is carried off

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:42:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Are you trying to make soup?

I have always done exactly what TBK1 said in his post.

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:47:37 PM EDT

[#11]

I've also read you can put it on an ant bed and it will get stripped clean.

My uncle tried boiling a skull but never got all the flesh out of the little cavities.

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:52:48 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
I've also read you can put it on an ant bed and it will get stripped clean.

My uncle tried boiling a skull but never got all the flesh out of the little cavities.

Point of order: Do we have to clean the six inches of snow off of the ant hills first?

Posted: 12/12/2005 7:57:32 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Point of order: Do we have to clean the six inches of snow off of the ant hills first?

Oh yeah. I forget that not everybody's wearing shorts in the middle of December.

Posted: 12/12/2005 8:00:26 PM EDT

[#14]

I just tossed my skull/horns up on the top of the barn. By spring it'll be pecked clean as a whistle.

Posted: 12/12/2005 8:17:22 PM EDT

[#15]

Thanks again for all of the reply's.
I have used most of the "usual" methods to clean off a 'Skull Plate' mount.
As this is the largest rack/deer I have ever gotten, I am a little anxious to get it mounted on an Oak Plaque and hung on the wall in my office at work!!!
It's still boiling at 6 hours. I pull it out when I add water/salt every 30 minutes or so and scrape it.
It's starting to look pretty good.
I'll have to see if I can get a pic posted of the deer in the truck bed and then the mount.

Thanks again!!!!!

Posted: 12/12/2005 8:28:36 PM EDT

[#16]

don't forget to post pictures!!

Posted: 12/12/2005 8:34:14 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Point of order: Do we have to clean the six inches of snow off of the ant hills first?

Oh yeah. I forget that not everybody's wearing shorts in the middle of December.

Wimps.

Posted: 12/13/2005 5:51:41 AM EDT

[#18]

$500 for a mount, Unreal Most shoulder mounts here go from $225-300. You can always use Peroxide to bleach the skull after all the meaty stuff is gone, They recommend the strong stuff like a hair salon uses. Also there is some kind of beetle larvae you can order that will strip it in a week or so.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long to boil Deer Antlers?

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