Velvet muley rack?

P

Pistolero_in_NM

Guest
What is the best way to prepare a velvet rack for mounting? I've heard some use foraldahyde and I've seen some that were freeze dried.Which method reduces shrinkage? I guess the other option is stripping the velvet?
 
The "best" way is to get it to a taxidermist within 8 hours or get it in a freezer and take it to a taxidermist as soon as possible. However, if that's not feasible, you can do it yourself. Neither method (freeze dried or chemcial) lessens the amount of shrinkage on the antlers, IMO.

Most of my velvet mounts were injected with formaldehyde. If you're out in the field a long way from any freezer or taxidermist, you can do it yourself. It's been my experience this method preserves better than the freeze dried method, IMO.

I did my last velvet buck, in the wilderness, by using a newer treatment of a solution called "Antler in Velvet". It's done in the same manner as formaldehyde, but less harmful to the user (non-carcinogenic). Wear gloves and eye protection if using formaldehyde. You will need a heavy guage needle and syrine to perform. (sold at taxidermist supply stores)

I make a very small incision on the tips of all points (back side). I then inject the solution, starting at the bases, and "push" the blood out with the solution while the antelrs are upside down. You will see the blood come out the tips. Once you locate the main veins feeding the antelrs, the solution will easily push through the velvet. The "drier" the velvet (close to shedding) the harder it is to push through, but it can and must to be done.

Once you notice the solution only (no blood color) is coming out of the tips, begin to make small injections of the solution all around the antlers to ensure all blood has been cured. After that, I brush the solution over the entire antlers with a small soft-bristle paintbush. Then you simply let the velvet dry. Once dried, you can brush out the velvet to make it look original.

Of course all this should occur AFTER you have removed the cape from the skull so no solution spills on the cape. Good luck and hope it helps.



BOHNTR )))---------->
 
I did a full velvet bull elk a few years ago, I was able to get him to the taxidermist within 24hrs. Came out awesome, he told me that I did a good job by not banging or bruising the rack. He took care of all the rest.
 
I think there is a company that can put an artificial velvet back on antlers. It is expensive, and looks a little too perfect in my opinion. But if you completely ruin the velvet, there is an alternative to stripping it all down. Doesn't really answer you question, but just a little FYI.
 

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