Advice about Sika antlers with velvet removed please

[stratts]

Hi guys,
I made a bit of a booboo with this Sika head and need advice of what to do now please!

It was in velvet when I shot it and lazily rather than skin and boil it out I left it for the critters to deal with but they also munched on the velvet too. So I have stripped all the velvet off leaving this which has a couple of dark stains where it's been left outside.

Would I now be best to try and bleach the skull and the antlers so they are all white and if so would it even work? If not anything else I could do other than just let the antlers dry out and leave as is as I soaked them to make it easier to get the velvet off.

Also I reckon it may make a medal after seeing others on here but how will the appearance affect the scores if it was measured?

Cheers,

Stratts

 

[VSS]

If I remember correctly, I think you need to stain the antlers. Potassium permanganate I seem to remember hearing somewhere.

 

[sh1kar]

Get it measured etc to see if it does make a medal first in spite of little colour. Then use potassium permanganate to stain brown It will be purple to start, don't worry it dries brown Build up layers lower down after each dry and leave the tops white Also while still wet after application use light touch of tissue round the coronets and lower part of antler to wipe off leaving brown in the fissures and white on pearling as it would be naturally

S

 

[bogtrotter]

Yes potassium permanganate or Bushwear sell an antler stain if you have difficulty finding the former.
If you.are going to have it measured don't stain until after its done.

 

[stratts]

Ok thanks chaps

 

[sh1kar]

I would also bleach the skull with Hydrogen Peroxide. I have attached a couple of pics of one I did with natural colour to give you a template

 

[stratts]

Top man thanks

 

[sikastag270]

have done a lot of sika heads do not colour until measured
if it makes 50 cms long on each antler worth getting measured.
I must say looks like a medal to me. best of luck.
regards Robert.

 

[fallowm oor]

The colour of Sika antlers does not effect the score. It should make a medal looking at the pics, good luck.FM.

 

[terrier1]

Look up Keith Watson at Keith's high seats he can score it and prepare the head for you.

 

[stratts]

I've printed off the scoring criteria to do it properly later but measured the length and one was 51.5cm and the other 52cm so looks promising. If I've done it correctly that is as I'm not sure if you start at the top of the skull or above the coronet, which is what I did?

 

[Woodsmoke]

you need to stain the antlers. Potassium permanganate I seem to remember

Yes indeed. I have some. Just let me know if you'd like any and I'll pop some in the post? PM me if that's any use?

 

[stratts]

I measured it conservatively using the cic charts and drawings and got 240 but until it's done properly I'm not sure I measured in the right places. Can't be far off though as the notes and illustrations are clear and easy to follow so I'm pretty confident,

Stratts

 

[Border]

Stratts, you know the rules mate. You cant just post a picture of the head, you need to give us some more information on the demise of this beast

 

[CarlW]

Stratts, you know the rules mate. You cant just post a picture of the head, you need to give us some more information on the demise of this beast

He hit it with his car...

 

[shakey jake]

he did a write up i think last autumn on a sika he shot with his son there, unless he has done two now!
shakey

 

[stratts]

Here you go mate

A night we'll never forget!!

 

[Border]

Here you go mate

A night we'll never forget!!

Nice one. And, how did it taste?

 

[stratts]

Stunning mate best venison I've had, it had marbling through it like Wagyu beef!!

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

Stunning mate best venison I've had, it had marbling through it like Wagyu beef!!

here you go mate. Colouring Antlers - Bring Cast Antlers Back to Life - Sporting Shooter