Skulls on shield taxidermy piece

[RichD]

I cut out some cardboard templates, neighbor gave me some oak boards from a tree on the property, brother cut and routered the plaques and I stained and finished them. I took the skulls as they came to me dipped and packed, whitened them with hydrogen peroxide and attached them. Simple

This is the stuff I used to whiten from a local beauty supply store.

 

[Elkeater]

I am a big fan of mixing Euros and traditional taxidermy. The plaque upon which they are mounted can make a big difference. Generally, I prefer the traditional German / Austrian look to the full skull mount that has become popular in this country. Maybe they should be called Americos or something. I particularly don't care for the angled look. However, it is all about personal taste and you should do what fits your environment. By the way, I do all of my antlered game as Euros.

Fallow stag prepared by a Austrian taxidermist using a traditional Baroque style plaque.

Warthog tusks on traditional Germanic plaques.

Red Stag, Chamois, and European wild boar
View attachment 619701

I think they work together well with normal taxidermy, furniture, art, and other collectables.
View attachment 619702
View attachment 619704
View attachment 619705

Red leg everytime i see your display I am envious. I can only hope to one day display a collection such as yours in such a classic manner. Looks like an excellent space to share a glass or two of scotch with a friend. I have plans for one of our spare bedrooms but I haven’t convinced my wife to let me take it over yet.

 

[wildfowler.250]

It’s not a problem to send D&P skulls, they just have to have the proper paperwork and get inspected by various government departments. But that’s the US, if I remember are you in the UK?

I’ll need to check. Yes I’m UK based,(well remembered) but certainly if it’s at least an option for the US then it might be possible here. I wasn’t entirely sure how meaty a dip and pack skull would be.
Funnily, I cleaned a roe skull this summer having skinned it whilst still warm first,(thought less likely to get ticks coming off than when cold). Took the bulk of the meat off but any membranes still on the skull went to a skin on the bone and it was much harder to clean up. It got there but I wasn’t sure for a while!

I cut out some cardboard templates, neighbor gave me some oak boards from a tree on the property, brother cut and routered the plaques and I stained and finished them. I took the skulls as they came to me dipped and packed, whitened them with hydrogen peroxide and attached them. Simple

View attachment 619884View attachment 619885View attachment 619887View attachment 619889View attachment 619891

That’s why they look good, you did them yourself! No paint, no varnish and no broken nasal bones..

 

[wildfowler.250]

This is the stuff I used to whiten from a local beauty supply store.

View attachment 619912

Just a heads up. I’ve used the shop stuff from the chemist before as folk recommended it as “cheap and easy to get”. Just basically hair bleach. It left a slightly red ish / off colour to the skull.
I use 12% food grade hydrogen peroxide,(Amazon) now and it’s significantly better. Not knocking anything you’ve done,(it looks great) but more for info for other readers as an option.

 

[RichD]

Just a heads up. I’ve used the shop stuff from the chemist before as folk recommended it as “cheap and easy to get”. Just basically hair bleach. It left a slightly red ish / off colour to the skull.
I use 12% food grade hydrogen peroxide,(Amazon) now and it’s significantly better. Not knocking anything you’ve done,(it looks great) but more for info for other readers as an option.

Thank you for your response. I will have to track down 12% peroxide to better whiten the skulls. Will check Amazon, but also the beauty supply shop to see if they carry it.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Thank you for your response. I will have to track down 12% peroxide to better whiten the skulls. Will check Amazon, but also the beauty supply shop to see if they carry it.

12 hours should do it. Although I have started doing it for longer but I think it can be a lot harder on the skulls.

 

[mrpoindexter]

My favorite skull on shield taxidermy I have:

 

[RichD]

12 hours should do it. Although I have started doing it for longer but I think it can be a lot harder on the skulls.

Do you brush it on and leave it for 12 hours or soak it in a tub of peroxide that long? Local Sally Beauty supply has it for $18/gallon, not bad. Thank you.

 

[RichD]

My favorite skull on shield taxidermy I have:
View attachment 620099

That is very nice. A great display and clever use of space. Did you make the shield?

 

[mrpoindexter]

That came from Highveld Taxidermy in Johannesburg.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Do you brush it on and leave it for 12 hours or soak it in a tub of peroxide that long? Local Sally Beauty supply has it for $18/gallon, not bad. Thank you.

I know a roe deer guide that has a container that seems to be just right size wise and he sits the skulls in the liquid,(antlers obviously uncovered).

I find I’m doing different sized stuff,(roe , red, sika) so i find I use a lot less peroxide soaking plain kitchen towel with peroxide and then wrapping the skull with it. Before I was going through half a tub of liquid at a time on tiny skulls which was a waste of money but live and learn.

 

[JOHN GRENZ]

I have a shield with crossed spears that has two impala skulls attached. Look to the left for a picture though a bit distorted. It’s about 4’ tall.