Creative way to display skull caps

[eastmont]

So I have about a dozen skull caps with antlers from muley and whitetail bucks I've shot over the years. None are giant but were worth packing the antlers out but I didn't euro them.

My question is does anyone have any creative ideas of what to do with them. I want to avoid cutting the antlers off because I enjoy showing them to people and telling each story with each rack. I have thought about doing a lamp, coat rack, etc but its just not what I want with these particular bucks.

Any ideas? - I want to make them living room worthy and wife approved.

Thanks!

 

[Musket Man]

I would just drill a hole in them and screw them to the wall. Some wives might not approve of that though. lol

 

[Againstthewind]

I think the simple ones that are just kindof stuck to an odd shape slab of wood are kindof cool. Kindof rustic, ole timey or something.

 

[gonhunting247]

You can use all kinds of plaques and rough cut logs and lumber to make unique horn mounts. I always use leather, but you can use brown or gold, Suede or smooth side out. The trim you use has endless options.
All you really need is a small piece of plywood, paper mache, some screws and your choice of plaque, cover and trim.

 

[Dakota Drifter]

gonhunting the one with the log end is cool. I may have to steal that idea next time.

I used rock hard putty around the horns then screwed to the wood. The options for covering the putty is endless, I used Rhino Linings (spray in bed liner) for the coating then painted and clear coated. FYI a lighter color would hide dust better.
You can pick up the wood pretty cheap as its considered scrap at most lumber yards and you could use leather, felt or paint the putty. I even thought about using that crackle (hammered paint) in the spray can.

View attachment 9800View attachment 9801View attachment 9802

 

[eastmont]

You can use all kinds of plaques and rough cut logs and lumber to make unique horn mounts. I always use leather, but you can use brown or gold, Suede or smooth side out. The trim you use has endless options.
All you really need is a small piece of plywood, paper mache, some screws and your choice of plaque, cover and trim.

I really like the tree cookie you used for that one. That could be a cheap way to do all them up on plaques. thanks!

 

[gonhunting247]

Dakota Drifter and eastmont,
That plaque was chosen by a hunting buddy,for some elk horns I mounted for him. I have a few more made from odd shape Juniper and side slab wood from home sawmills. The slab wood is nice because it has a nice tapered shape naturally as it comes of the log before you get to the good lumber.(the beauty of it is that it's scrap. It also looks great with Euro Mts. and Skulls.
Like againstthewind says the rustic look is pretty cool!
I don't have digital pics of a lot of them, but I'm working on that

 

[gonhunting247]

gonhunting the one with the log end is cool. I may have to steal that idea next time.

I used rock hard putty around the horns then screwed to the wood. The options for covering the putty is endless, I used Rhino Linings (spray in bed liner) for the coating then painted and clear coated. FYI a lighter color would hide dust better.
You can pick up the wood pretty cheap as its considered scrap at most lumber yards and you could use leather, felt or paint the putty. I even thought about using that crackle (hammered paint) in the spray can.



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Hey Dakota,
I'd love to see those pics! your pic attach won't open though.

 

[Dakota Drifter]

I will try again.

gonhunting what type of wood is that cross cut? All we have around here would be pine.

 

[gonhunting247]

I will try again.
View attachment 9805View attachment 9804View attachment 9803
gonhunting what type of wood is that cross cut? All we have around here would be pine.

I think that one was a wafer of Black Walnut or Locust. I think walnut, can't remember for sure! I have a few English Walnut and Juniper drying now.
Pine and Alder would look great too! I think you could use almost anything with a little stain and urethane finish.( The spray can finish is easiest on a rough type finish)
Thanks for the pics!

 

[MSUcat61]

The last Field & Stream had a cool idea of arranging old license plates from the state the animal was shot and using tin snips to cut the plates into the shape of that state. Then hang the skull or skull cap on the state shaped license plate plaque.

 

[Granby guy]

I had some racks laying around the garage and didn't feel like putting them on plaques so I decided to go this route and try to make the wife happy. It worked and she likes them.

 

[Granby guy]

Another one

 

[Hilltop]

I posted this one before but you may not have seen it... I think this type of cut wood would look good with skull caps as well. It is angle cut cedar...




I also really like these plack mounts... Wife approved in my house.