Need help on removing Oryx horns

buckhunter64 · Feb 17, 2022

Killed an Oryx a couple weeks ago and have a friend doing me a euro mount. Has the skull boiled but cant get the horns to come off. Looking for suggestions. Thanks

diablo · Feb 17, 2022

Get em hot by boiling in plain water as high up the horns as possible and twist. They should pop right off.

Blank · Feb 17, 2022

They can be a bit*h. Drill a couple small holes on the back of the horns, about 6-8" and 12-14" from the base. Plug them later. Boil again in a large deep pot on the propane burner which will submerse the holes for a while. Wrap in a rag and place in vice on workbench. Get a lot of torque on it and twist off. May take a couple tries, watch the bases closely!!

elkantlers · Feb 17, 2022

Don't actually get the water boiling, Just a simmer is what you want.

Blank · Feb 17, 2022

Sorry I wasn't too clear. I prefer to get the water as hot as possible, and the immersion as short as possible. Works for me

jims · Feb 17, 2022

Boiling can be pretty brutal to horns and skulls. You may want to soak them for a while in water plus borax and dawn before trying any boiling? You could always fill a garbage can with water to around 2' depth if the skull end of the horns fits towards the bottom? Oryx horns are super thin towards the bases so I would be super careful. The skull bones go a long ways up each horn so this may take a while especially if they've dried out.

diablo · Feb 18, 2022

Watch the Whitebone Creations method (at about 13:50)

jims · Feb 18, 2022

Boy those horns popped off quick and easy! I would suggest doing this ASAP before it sits and dries or it is a lot tougher! I've never used mop and glow. I may have to try it?

diablo · Feb 18, 2022

Yes, the fresher the better on all horned game IMO. Much tougher once they dry out!

BigPig · Feb 18, 2022

I put mine in a black plastic bag for a few weeks. Slid right off.

SS! · Feb 19, 2022

BigPig said:
I put mine in a black plastic bag for a few weeks. Slid right off.

This. I just helped a friend get his oryx horns off and we bagged them for 5 days and they popped right off. Easy. No boiling etc

It’s also how we do sheep too…

jims · Feb 21, 2022

I do the same bag trick with pronghorn, mtn goat, and sheep. When it's warm the bag trick works a lot quicker and easier than when it's cold. Put it in a spot where critters or your wife don't catch wind of it!