Antler Restoration - Taxidermist Recommendations

[monstermuleyman]

Thanks in advance for your feedback…

I have a very large set of Mule Deer sheds that need a little work. Long story short, I trusted a taxidermist who came highly recommended. When I inquired he was more than confident that he could do the work and even sent me picture, after picture, of his work. They problem - it wasn’t his work! I found out later he has taken pictures from another website and passed them off as his own. Couple that with some personal issues he was having, I got them back and need some work done to bring them back to life.

Do any of you know a professional you would recommend?

 

[SS!]

94.5% of taxidermists suck d at restoring or coloring antlers.

This guy is one of the best:

Trapperman Antlers

We offer the finest Antler and horn replication services. We also offer collectible miniature rams, elk, moose and mule deer.

www.trappermanantlers.com

 

[SS!]

Let’s see a pic of the sheds and maybe a story on them when you have a min…

 

[jims]

I agree 100% with SS! I’d probably say it’s closer to 98% of taxidermists stink at antler renovation and coloring.

It takes a gob of time hand-painting multiple coats of a variety of colors to look realistic. If you aren’t picky it may not be worth it to pay high $ for someone that really knows what they are doing. I’ve done a lot of antler and horn restoration over the years and it may take me a week to fix broken tines and hand paint a deer rack. For a large elk rack it may take several weeks! All the hours are definitely worth it to bring life back to a gorgeous set of antlers or horns!

You can do a YouTube search and see how some guys color antlers in a matter of minutes and decide if that’s what you would be happy with? Here's an example:

Here’s any guy that does pretty good work:

Home - Antlers by Klaus

The Finest & Most Respected Antler Reproductions in the World!

antlersbyklaus.com

 

[Tikka]

94.5% of taxidermists suck d at restoring or coloring antlers.

This guy is one of the best:

Trapperman Antlers

We offer the finest Antler and horn replication services. We also offer collectible miniature rams, elk, moose and mule deer.

www.trappermanantlers.com

McKay does fantastic work....

 

[DaveD]

Todd Kranau at Masterpiece Taxidermy- Blue Hill Nebraska is the best I know. He has repaired antlers for me. He even added a broken tine on a bull from scratch and it looks perfect. He is a world champion in multiple categories. He has no employees - everything is done by him.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Yeah, let's see em. How much is "a little work"? If they aren't too far gone they often aren't too tough to bring back to looking good.

 

[wytex]

Do it yourself with some pine tar, branches and dirt. Deer are easier than elk.

 

[wytex]

Took me a few hours to get the elk done, can't find my mule deer antler pics sorry.

 

[Elkslayer]

That looks really good! Would you mind sharing your coloring process?

 

[monstermuleyman]

94.5% of taxidermists suck d at restoring or coloring antlers.

This guy is one of the best:

Trapperman Antlers

We offer the finest Antler and horn replication services. We also offer collectible miniature rams, elk, moose and mule deer.

www.trappermanantlers.com

SS - I have seen his work and have been impressed. I reached out to him last week and asked if he’d be willing. He said he is t doing anything but repos at this time. I will show it to him at the expo and let him see what he thinks.