Keeping the velvet on roe heads

[little hawk]

I have shot two roebuck about a month ago that were both mostly out of velvet but with the coronets still mostly covered. I have seen there are lots of post on this subject, and most suggest boiling the antlers completely taking off all the little bits of velvet, then having to stain the coronets again etc. I have boiled out both heads and bleached them carefully in hydrogen peroxide. I think the little scraggly bits of velvet are not really an issue and am thinking of keeping it on the antlers letting them all dry out with velvet on as part of the trophies. Am I missing something? It seems more natural.

 

[HonestJohn]

I use the freeze dry method. Cut a slit in the tips, hand upside down to let the blood drip out for 2 days. Wrap and freeze for a week, thaw and hang upside down again, freeze, repeat 3-4 times

 

[little hawk]

The velvet then peels right off?

 

[Mike1979]

I cocked up a bit recently and left a few heads for the flies and maggots to clean up..left with a crusty mess so regretted not boiling straight away. I boiled the heads and then removed the bits of velvet with a wire brush...just left to stain the antlers and then make sure to clean and boil within a couple of days...nothing trophy class but like to keep most of the heads as a reminder of the experience.

 

[little hawk]

It seems a bit unnatural to eradicate all the velvet. A few scraggly bits add something I think. Maybe nuancing?!

 

[Mike1979]

It seems a bit unnatural to eradicate all the velvet. A few scraggly bits add something I think. Maybe nuancing?!

Personally i like antlers to be completely clean ...good that we are all different ..boring otherwise

 

[HonestJohn]

The velvet then peels right off?

No, it stays on and doesn’t rot

 

[HonestJohn]

Sorry, I thought they were in full velvet!

If only bits, get rid of it as it will attract moths etc

 

[little hawk]

It looks good with a bit of fluff in the end, that answers the question.