How to Mount an Antler to a Board

So you've bagged a trophy animal with a set of antlers that are worthy of mounting. Attaching the antlers to a board is a good way of displaying them. This project is easy enough for most people to do themselves. Most of the work is in the preparation, so take your time and create a mount you will be proud to hang in your den.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand saw or reciprocal saw
  • Large pot
  • Wire brush
  • Knife
  • Sandpaper
  • Oak board
  • Jig saw or table saw
  • Wood stain
  • Polyurethane
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the antlers by cutting away the portion of skull where the antlers attach. This can be accomplished using a hand saw or reciprocal saw. Cut approximately three inches away from the antlers at the top and approximately two inches away on the sides and bottom. Cut straight down into the skull until you have passed the antlers, then straight across back to the front at the bottom.

    • 2

      Boil the skull plate in a large pot to remove any skin and fur. This usually takes a few hours. Try not to immerse the antlers themselves, only the skull plate, but it will not hurt or discolor the antlers if they are partially immersed. Check the progress every hour or so. Use a wire brush, knife and sandpaper to remove skin and fur as it loosens. Start with 60 grit for an initial sanding and eventually finish with 250 grit. Continue boiling until the skull plate is clean.

    • 3

      Use an oak board or other high-quality wood for your mounting plaque. Cut the board with a jig saw or table saw to the shape you desire. Sand the edges.

    • 4

      Drill two holes through the front of the skull plate. Place the antlers on the board in the desired position and mark the hole locations with a pencil. Drill two holes through the board. Three-eighths-inch anchor bolts with a butterfly anchoring system work best for mounting. Drill the holes to a size that accommodates these bolts.

    • 5

      Finish the board with wood stain, if desired, and seal with two coats of polyurethane. When dry, mount the antlers with the anchor bolts. The butterfly nuts should be on the back of the board. Any excess bolt length can be cut off with a hacksaw or a grinding wheel.