Any tips for doing a Pronghorn European mount.

[JW/OK]

Looking for suggestions on doing a Pronghorn Antelope European mount. Especially how to make the horns look right if they come off during the process. Anyone have pictures?

[james]

Don't boil the skull too hard or too long or it will disintegrate.  Only simmer until you can power wash the meat off.  The horn sheath can be glued back on if they come off.  I try to keep the horns above the water line in the pot.  I wrap the bottom of the horns with buckskin or leather to give it a finished look. I'll try to add a pict of one I did for my daughter.

[dukkillr]

I do all my own euros... deer, pigs, bears, small game... but NOT antelope.  The tissue under the horn is asking for trouble.  If it rots badly it can actually rot the horn itself.  Since it's only a few bucks to have a taxidermist do it I figure it's worth it.  My understanding is that he cuts the horn off first, then cleans the skull, then puts the horns back on.

[JW/OK]

Thanks for the responses!
JW

[catkiller]

I'm a taxidermist.You must boil the whole skull, horns and all for an hour or two,then take out and remove the horn caps.This MUST be done.Once you get the caps off you have to clean out all the meat underneath.You can then either bleach the skull or paint it and when dry mix up some body filler( most call it Bondo)and reattach the caps with the filler.If you don't clean out all the meat it Will rot, stink and attract bugs.After boiling the caps will remove easily,if not let them cook a little longer.

[Thebear_78]

This s probalby the most important tip you can get about pronghorn euro mounts.  After taking the time to simmer off the horns and then cook/spray off all the meat,  DO NOT place the skull on top of the picnic table to dry.  A neighborhood dog WILL come and steal it, making all of your hard work for not.   I know from a firends experience on this matter!

[snapcrackpop]

I cut off all I could with a knife then microwaved the head for 30 seconds at a time.  In between the microwave I would pull on the horn sheaths.  I just about gave up when one pulled off.  GROSS!  The inside of the horn is a stinky cream like cartilage.  Scooped out as much as I could. 
Then I filled the horn sheaths with salt and stood them upside down in a small box in the garage for the rest of the winter. 
After the horns came off I buried it in the yard with a piece of plywood and a large basketball sized rock over it to keep out the dog.
This spring I unburied the skull, power washed it and spray painted it.
Turned out pretty good.  Should have used ivory paint instead of glossy white.