Caribou Antlers

[Bonecollector]

Looking for some guidance from those of you who have gone before me. I have been told that I need to remove the antler(s) from the skull, or at least one of them for transport. My thought is to mount the antlers or skull cap on a replica skull. Is there a 'best practice' on removal? How the cut can be made (straight down skull or at an angle? Leave skull or bring attached to one of the antlers for further measurements, etc? I'll take a lot of field measurements and pictures. See below a picture of one mounting option I'm considering, provided I am successful. Quite honestly, I'm not finding much online or youtube vids to answer my questions. I was also unsuccessful in reaching a rep at the company selling the the below replica, but will continue to call.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer. 9 more days!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'll start by saying I've never hunted them. I have read a lot of stories about these hunts and have talked to several outfitters about doing a hunt. I remember them saying they saw the skull in half to fold the antlers so they fit easier in shipment.

 

[mallardsx2]

I dont know if you care or not, but if you split that skull you cant enter them into any form of record keeping.

Personally, I am no ribbon chaser. So it wouldn't matter to me.

 

[JimP]

A friend who was a taxidermist and used to outfit up on the North Slope told me that they just split the skull down the center and then lay the antlers together.

 

[Winchester]

When I lived up there my biggest one was an old bull in full velvet. My taxi split the skull so he could lay one antler inside the other in a sand-box full of salt. He left them in there a couple of months and they came out perfect. That still look great today, 30+ years later. He told me they might “make the book” if we stripped ‘em and measured them but I like them mounted the way I got ‘em … in velvet.

 

[Bonecollector]

I'll start by saying I've never hunted them. I have read a lot of stories about these hunts and have talked to several outfitters about doing a hunt. I remember them saying they saw the skull in half to fold the antlers so they fit easier in shipment.

The outfitter wants them in 2 pc for transport out of the bush. I'm assuming you can ship in tack commercially, but it'll cost you.

 

[Bonecollector]

I dont know if you care or not, but if you split that skull you cant enter them into any form of record keeping.

Personally, I am no ribbon chaser. So it wouldn't matter to me.

Same here. I'm always chasing something bigger with other species, but this will be my (hopefully) first 'bou. Looking for a nice average representative to bring home. But won't pass a bruiser either. I was born in the night, but not last night! lol

 

[Bonecollector]

I want to be sure I cut them correctly so I can faux skull mount. I'm wanting more than an antler mount and I only have one shot at this.

 

[buckbull]

I've done a few whitetail deer using mountain mike euro skulls. its really hard to get the antlers back to true measurements. I pretty much just focus on getting spread correct. I wrap blue tape on both antlers widest points, place a mark on each and take a measurement. I then take a scrap peice of small lumber; cut and fit, to be used as a separator to hold the antlers in place when I go to screw the antlers to mount.

 

[Bonecollector]

Finally got in touch with a great guy in the shop at the aforementioned place. Very helpful. It doesn't sound too bad, but I didn't want to have to start 'rigging' things together or creating unnecessary work and starting over, etc. if I can avoid it.

Always looking for more tips.

 

[Bonecollector]

I've done a few whitetail deer using mountain mike euro skulls. its really hard to get the antlers back to true measurements. I pretty much just focus on getting spread correct. I wrap blue tape on both antlers widest points, place a mark on each and take a measurement. I then take a scrap peice of small lumber; cut and fit, to be used as a separator to hold the antlers in place when I go to screw the antlers to mount.

Cutting the skull plate in half to pc back together should greatly reduce the puzzle dilemma as opposed to cutting off the antlers at the base.
Additionally, I hope to leave the skull attached, if allowable, with brain matter removed, to further assist once I'm home.

 

[Winchester]

To help prevent damage to all the small points,
take a piece of garden hose, cut it onto short sections (a couple of inches) and put them over the tips.

 

[Bonecollector]

To help prevent damage to all the small points,
take a piece of garden hose, cut it onto short sections (a couple of inches) and put them over the tips.

Was planning to use 3/4" pipe foam. Any thoughts on this?

 

[JimP]

I was going to suggest the pipe foam, it's a lot more flexible than a piece of garden hose.

 

[Winchester]

Yeah, that should work

 

[CrimsonArrow]

When I shot my caribou in Quebec, I did a European mount with one. Just sawed one antler off between the burr and the skull, and left the other antler attached to the skull. When I got home, I drilled and screwed the loose antler back on. If I remember correctly, I went in through the back of the skull, but regardless, the screw is invisible