Taxidermy question on preserving velvet

[hillcountryhunter]

I shot a cactus buck this weekend and wanted to do a skull mount for my office. His velvet is still intact but hard. What's the best way to preserve it. I know that with an Axis I killed at one point the taxidermist injected something into it to preserve but this one has no visible veins and isn't soft to the touch like that one was.

[Slick8]

Very interested, I have my eye on a freak stag that's still in velvet.

[Chance Love]

For a skull mount you will have to cut each antler off the skull right under the burr. Treat the antlers, do the skull work, then put back together. That is the short version anyway.

[Slick8]

That was my thought regarding cutting the antlers off.

So what's the treatment procedure for velvet antlers?

[hillcountryhunter]

Thanks Chance. So I guess my next question is, how do I treat the velvet? Also what's the best way to cleanly cut the antler off at the base? Sorry for all the questions, but you guys are a wealth of knowledge.

[metalmangeorge]

That was my thought regarding cutting the antlers off.

So what's the treatment procedure for velvet antlers?

If I remember they inject formaldehyde into them, I might be wrong

[Chance Love]

If I remember they inject formaldehyde into them, I might be wrong

This. Or spray it on, rub it in, ect. if the velvet is pretty dry. You can also use phenol. Both chemicals are BAD for you. Do not breath it in or get it on your skin.

[Chance Love]

Thanks Chance. So I guess my next question is, how do I treat the velvet? Also what's the best way to cleanly cut the antler off at the base? Sorry for all the questions, but you guys are a wealth of knowledge.

Cut them off carefully with a sharp saw. I use a bone saw. SHARP blades.

[hillcountryhunter]

Would an online taxidermy supply carry this stuff?

[Dusty Britches]

PM Texas Taxi on here. He's a real pro.

[Mtltx]

PM Texas Taxi on here. He's a real pro.

Are you saying chance is not a REAL pro?

[Chance Love]

Just don't use the fake velvet stuff that some advertise. IMO it never looks real, or even good.

[Slick8]

This guy has the worst safety practices but gets the point across.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPrrdysAo7Q

[Bill]

For DIY, MacKenzie taxidermy supply sells the liquid for treating velvet by the quart. You need to get a syringe and start injecting it at the tip, and flush all the blood out. Keep it frozen until you do it.

I did a pair of blacktail 2x2 bucks in velvet, and they did not turn out perfect.

I'd pay a Taxidermist to do it correctly.

[critter69]

You can get stuff from taxedermy supply places on line. WASO, Jonas, etc. But it has to be still growing if it is not and its not fresh it dont work well. IMO. If its not fresh there is a place that does and artifical velvet that looks good and stays on. It is kind of expensive but you pay by the inch so it will not cost you much. Its called research mannikins. I will try and post a pick of one I did years ago for my son.