After you skin,tape base of antlers and up antlers a little as not to lighten horns with boiling water. Boil skull(not too long)keep horns out of water as much as possible, just enough to get left over meat and brains off/out. Get skull clean of meat. Let dry. Go to "sally's", beauty supply store and get 40% peroxide solution $6. Use gloves and paint skull. set in sun for a day. Do not get peroxide on your skin or horns. After bleaching in sun. remove tape. touch up horns with stain if you wish. Barn wood is nice touch/cheap.