Velvet Antlers

HiMtnHntr · Jun 30, 2016

I shot a velvet buck last September. I've had it in the deep freeze since then. For guys who use this method, is it finished? How will I know?

Thanks . ..

Hunt_the_West · Jul 7, 2016

The short answer to this is no. It needs to be freeze dried which is a completely different process than chucking them in the freezer for a few months. The other option is to thaw and rehydrate the antlers then use alcohol to push the blood out followed by preservative. This method is much easier if done soon after the animal is harvested. I would have them freeze dried personally.

HiMtnHntr · Jul 8, 2016

Thanks. Most of the velvet appears dried on the antlers. There are a few soft spots. Research proves that many people do this successfully. Unfortunately I was not expecting to take a buck in velvet, so I had no preservation materials and was far from any of those things. I think I will use velvet tan on the antlers after they thaw and hope for the best. Thanks for your input.

SneakAttack · Jul 15, 2016

After freezing it for almost a year...you should be good to go. I've done that exact thing several times on my own deer with great success. Even on archery bucks taken in mid August when there is still a large amount of blood under the velvet. A September buck, you should be good to go. If you are worried about the soft spots, use a needle to pierce the area and wipe away any blood that may be there.

goldhunter · Aug 26, 2016

You would think if you thawed the antlers every once in a while the froze water molecules within the velvet and the antler itself would become liquid and/or vapor and migrate to the drier surfaces, then re-freeze to continue the "freeze drying". Should speed up the process.

HiMtnHntr · Aug 27, 2016

FYI, I did as I noted above with velvet tan. I got a hypodermic needle at Walmart and injected it anywhere it would take. Then I rubbed the solution on the antlers and let them hang for several days. They appear preserved!