Euro mount the easy way,(crock pot)

[Chuck Jones]

I don’t like to spend money on “trophies”. I have a nice shoulder mount from a big 12pt I shot 10 years ago. The price has more than doubled since then, and another shoulder mount doesn’t appeal to me. I do like the idea of a European mount, as it lets me save the antlers and display them so I have the memory without too much cost.

I go ahead and skin the head out when I have the deer hanging for butchering. It’s easier than skinning after the head is cut off. Only takes a few minutes. I don’t try to be too careful, just get most of the skin off without cutting any bone, especially around the nose area. I don’t bother to remove the eyes, jaw, or brain. There is also usually some skin left around the base of the antlers.

I use a 7 quart Crock Pot brand slow cooker to “cook” the head. The deer head barely fits in the oval shaped cooker, and some of the antler pedical may not be under water. This is ok, as I cover the whole thing with aluminum foil and an old blanket to keep in the heat and moisture. I keep the water full to the top. Cook on the high setting for about 8 or more hours, adding water as needed. You can stop cooking any time and just leave the head in the crock pot for a day or two until you resume cooking. The head is ready when you can take it out and the lower jaw just falls off. You can then remove every thing but bone by gently scraping with a knife, screw driver, etc. and using pliers to get at the little bits. You will need to pull out the cooked brains with screwdriver, pliers, forceps, ect. An air hose helps but not really needed.

After cleaning the tissues off, wash the skull with hot, soapy water and let dry. I use hair dressers peroxide paste I git online, brushed on and let dry, to whiten the skull. Swimming pool clarifier works well also. Don’t get any of this stuff on your skin or eyes.

[rastaman]

Good stuff!  Never thought of using a crock pot.  Thanks for posting it up!

[doubleo]

Those are some real nice bucks! I also like Euro mounts!

[BAK]

I have about 20 around the house.  To me they are way preferable to a full mount.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Use some mule team borax (find near clothes washing soap in store) in your soup and the meat turns to jelly and comes off lots easier. Last couple I did I used a pressure washer to remove the meat and brains. Wear old clothes if using this technique! Works way better that wallering a piece of wire in the brainpan....but stuff goes everywhere.  At high velocity.   

R

[bswear]

Check out white bone creations.  He shares all his expertise on YouTube.
Also, when you are done, rub the antlers with mop n glo.  Makes them beautiful and resistant to dust.
Finally, the best way to mount is the the bracket used for a stair rail.  Fits right in the brain hole, cheap, come in lots of different colors.

[fisherick]

I have the same Crock Pot, will be trying this over the next several days.