Lost 10 pointer!!!

[rrigsby]

Sunday, I was fishing down at Guntersville in Jones Cove when I came across the skeleton of a 10 pointer on the bank. My guess was that someone gut shot it last Fall and it ran down the mountainside to die on the waters edge. I am really surprised it was still there, at least the head and antlers being in a popular fishing area right on the bank. So, I tied my boat up out of the wind and hike back to the deer remains. After a few lame tries with a piece of sandstone rock I found a good sharp piece of limestone and successfully detached the head from the vertebra and lower jaw. So, off I went to the ramp at Mud Creek with the skull in a walmart bag and half of the antlers sticking out of the back storage compartment. As I carried the deer head across the parking lot to my truck one guy asked if I just shot that deer. Lol. Here’s some pics. Now, how do I clean this thing up?

 

[Bprice]

I think a lot of people boil the European Mounts until the meat falls off. I also know folks put them in ant hills.  I'd PM CooperJD and ask him.

 

[Jmax]

Could have had blue tongue, they go to water when they get that as well. May have been shot also like you said. I found a nice buck remains on the bank of Crow Creek two years ago. I tought the same thing.emoScratch Jmax

 

[SpurHunter]

wow, nice deer!

 

[djbogle]

Dude, cool find. I've found a few in my day, but nothing that nice. I'd probably try boiling it to clean it up. The anthills will work, but you've got to watch out for dogs. I had one snatch a small eight-pointer one time. I finally got it back, but it was touch-and-go for a while.

 

[Tr19]

I agree with Jmax on the blue tongue . It was pretty wide spread this year .Something else to think about that you could do with the antlers.They would make a great set of rattling horns !

 

[cooperjd]

i've never boiled one, but here's an article i found on how to.

http://www.minnesotabucks.com/tips cleaning skulls.htm

you can also get european mount pedestals online and bleaching kits online..

http://www.deershack.com/gear/trophy/trophy.html?source=google3&gclid=CO-th8HSvpECFQ8cHgodPgov3A

 

[Bass Addict]

Thats a nice find, Those European mounts arent hard and they look good. The hard part is done with the decomposition, its really hard to get all the flesh off for that style of mount. Boiling is the way to go, just dont do it in the house. HAHA...emoLaugh

 

[rrigsby]

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me on the clean up. I'll let you all know how it turns out when I'm done.

 

[cooperjd]

looks like it will take some effort, but will probably be well worth it. show us pics when you're done.

 

[Gray Bomber]

More importantly did you catch any up in jones cove??

 

[Bprice]

My thoughts too Shane!

 

[Guest]

THE DEER CAN STILL BE MOUNTED IF YOU CHOOSE, YOU MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE FINDING A CAPE THAT BIG, BUT IT CAN BE MADE INTO A REAL NICE MOUNT, I JUST HAD A NEW CAPE PUT ON ONE MY DAD HAD KILLED AT FORT CAMPBELL IN THE 70'S THAT WAS JUST A NECK MOUNT AND LOOKING BAD I KNOW ITS REALLY NOT THE SAME DEER, BUT I REALLY WANTED TO GET HIM FIXED RIGHT. THAT ONE WOULD BE A REAL NICE CONVERSATION PIECE, BUMBLEE BEE SHOWED ME A CAM PIC TODAY. DO THE ANTLERS STILL HAVE SOME COLOR OR ARE THEY WHITE ?

 

[rrigsby]

I caught one fish in all of Jones Cove, way in the back where I found the deer. That was the only clear water in the whole cove. Only problem was it was about 4-5 degrees cooler than the dingy/muddy water elsewhere. I caught the little keeper on a cutthroat jig off the rock bluff on the right. I'd never been that far back before. I went as far back as I could in both arms of the creek just doing alot of looking and exploring.

Oh, and I didn't have any other keepers fishing. I'm slumping!

The antlers still have a good bit of color to them. They're actually kind of dirty looking and beat up from sitting on the bank for so long. They should clean up fine though.

Right now I have the head hanging in a tree in my backyard until I figure out the best way to clean it, or maybe it just that I'm not motivated. You know I'm just not looking forward to the stinky, gooy, puss filled, maggot, brain mess. Sorry, but that's about what it's like. Boy, if I had to take eyes and ears and face off...I couldn't do it! LOL Yesterday there were a few flys on it having a snack and doing some spring cleaning for me. If only I had some of those beatles and about 60 more degrees F.

I'm not wanting to spend more than 20 bucks on this buck. If it cost more than that I'll hacksaw the antlers off and make a pair of rattlers with em.

I show you all how it turns out.

Good fishing and hunting,
Ryan

 

[churly]

you could leave it in the tree and eventually nature will clean it up, but the sun will bleach the horns and squirrels will chew on it. My advice, let it hang for a week or two. Then use a camp stove out in the yard to boil it in an old pot, boil it hot and long, then I'd let it hang for another week to let the critters get any remnants out. Those "european mounts" look real good when the skull is bleach white and the horns have their color. thats a cool find!

 

[ranman]

How about burying it?That way the bugs could get to it but the dogs couldn't.

 

[fish4thepeck]

I bury the head and leave the horns above ground. But something over the horns to keep varmits from knawing on em. Leave for about 3 months.
Does a real good job!

 

[jrod79]

if you boil it too long it will seperate and fall apart

 

[puddle jumper]

Hey rrigsby,
I saw this on the outdoors chanel a little bit ago and thought of your mount, If the skull doesent clean up like you like it this might be a alternative for you, I think it looks pritty cool, Didnt know if you new about these or not.??
emoScratch emoScratch

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...ferralID=a201dead-df1e-11dc-a631-000423c27407

Puddle...emoUSA
Also: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...1_-1_10001_83126?cmCat=CROSSSELL&cmid=PP_P1_2

 

[rrigsby]

Yeah man, that does look very sharp. And, that would be fitting since I am in the foundry business. Maybe I could make one of those??? Not that shiny though. A definite possibility. Thanks for the tip, PJ.