How To Repair Broken Antlers

Guide To Elk Antler Repair Taxidermy

Every now and then the brutality of nature can wear down on an animal. As hunters, we often encounter this in the form of cleaved antlers or horns of the animals we are hunting. Most of the time when a customer brings their bays into a taxidermy shop this wear and tear on the antler or horn is only part of the story of that trophy's life. Mayhap a tine bankrupt off in a fight for breeding rights or maybe information technology broke off every bit he was trashing his favorite rubbing tree but a niggling besides hard, no affair how it happened these breaks are usually regarded as unique qualities of the trophy, and go unrepaired.

However in some rare instances, customers want these tines repaired and that's when a taxidermist's creative skills are put to the test. The latest challenge like this to come through the doors of Cypress Slough Taxidermy came in the version of a beautiful elk taking on a low fence slice of property in Texas. While out elk hunting the customer spotted a nice 6×6 bull elk off in the distance. The trophy was a little too far for a shot so after a short stalk the bull was in range and presented himself every bit a perfect broadside target. Boom. The balderdash buckled as he took the round through the vitals and ran but a short distance before tumbling downwardly and piling up at the bottom of a draw. Shortly later on the shot was made the recovery of the bull took place to reveal a overnice Texas 5×5 balderdash elk. Yeah, two tines short of the bull they glassed. While it was still the same bull the tumble downwardly the rocky hill broke off both crown tines. Since that elk was called for his maturity and also the fact that he was carrying a full rack at the time the trigger was pulled, repairs were requested and were carried out by the taxidermist that mounted this bull. A few years afterward the trophy was mounted the repair job made by the taxidermist started to fail and suspension loose of the original rack, and that how it came to my store.

Repaired department separating from original beam.

The first thing that I did was assess why the repair task failed so that I made certain I wouldn't make the same mistake. After looking over the point I figured two factors played a roll in the damage. Ane matter existence the fact that antlers accept the tendency to shrink a footling afterward drying and much like the foundation on a house, a slight shift tin can crusade the rigid physical to crack rather than bend. Since the antlers were definitely dry I wouldn't accept to be concerned with that. The second thing that attributed to the fissure was the tiny wire used to adhere the repaired tine to the principal beam. To fix this I used a much lower gauge wire and ran information technology all the way to the tip of the crown tine and a couple of inches into the main beam.

New Wire Set

After the epoxy I used to set the wire cured, I began the process of building up the tine with two-part apoxie clay. Several layers were needed to achieve the circumference needed and besides the detail to match the existing antler then the apoxie was left to cure.

Blending and sculpting new tine.

Once I accomplish the size, shape and texture I was after I could finally move onto the painting part of the job. Beginning I mixed paint to friction match the lightest color of the antlers to be applied as the base color. When painting it's important to start light and work your way to the darker paints. The base color was applied and so left to dry. It's important to let each layer of pigment dry before moving onto the next layer since wet paints can smear leaving a mono-colored mess.

Base Paint Applied

After the base color dried information technology was time to movement onto the multitude of browns, greys, yellows and ruby shades that brand upwardly all the colors you see when you wait at the antlers of any cervid species. With some fourth dimension, patience and of course the correct paints, the brown hues were slowly matched and laid down according to the original beam. As I mentioned earlier, the lighter browns are laid down commencement followed by the darker browns. Being carful to go on the patterns of the main axle, I recreated them going up the repaired crown tine. I won't merits to be a great artist or that it takes one to attempt a repair task similar this simply it will exam one'southward sculpting and painting skills. Equally long equally you pay attention to what Mother Nature already made and really pay attending to what you're recreating information technology tin be washed.

Starting the detail piece of work.

The Finished Product.

While you might have to get artistic and use new tools or materials, the nuts of this technique tin can be applied to whatsoever of the horned and antlered species of bays animals us hunters never abound onetime of pursuing.

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Cypress Slough Taxidermy has been mounting game birds and large game taxidermy since 2022. We strive for perfection in every item in all mounts we create, no matter how big or small-scale. Attention to item is key at CST. The but limitation at Cypress Slough Taxidermy is your imagination. We tin create any bird mount, large game mountain and minor game mount to all of your requirements. No affair the pose, sculpture or habitat we'll create it. Visit our San Antonio Taxidermy Studio to hash out your next duck mount today!

Cypress Slough Taxidermy

Cypress Slough Taxidermy is a full-service wildlife taxidermy studio, located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas. Charles "Chuck" Denson, possessor and lead taxidermist, grew up hunting and fishing and has always been passionate about nature and the great outdoors. What began as a elementary hobby rapidly evolved into a business organization that has served clients all over Texas and surrounding states.