Expert: chris stockton - 6/6/2009

Question
Greetings!

I just purchased some mounts from a yard-sale. One is a massive buck, the other is a doe. Both of their eyes are filmy and dusty, and they are caked in dust. I don't know how old they are, I didn't ask, but his antlers are starting to look very very dull, and their noses look like they're ready to crack.

How would I go about caring for these beautiful things?

Thanks,
Amanda

Answer
Hi Amanda, pretty name, (my wife is named Amanda as well)... Ok, lets start from the top...Congrad.'s on getting your new mounts, I would love to see the (big one) you mentioned. If they are not in terrible shape we can fix it, BUT if they are in pretty bad shape, the best way to fix it is to take the horns off, through away the rest of it, buy a new hide from a taxidermy, and have it or remount it yourself. NOW if it isn't in to bad of shape, heres what we are going to do... First, to clean the eyes, they are just glass, use any kind of mild glass cleaner, it will not hurt the mount at all, now on the hair, to get it back to a nice new luster it once was, go to van dykes taxidermy supply  (http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/103141/seybrite-trophy-cleaning-kit) and order that kit, it is Seybrite trophy cleaning kit. Works very well, i recommend it, and have used it myself. Now for the antlers, you need   (http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/108393/antler-stain)  This antler stain will work wonders and comes with nice instructions... Now about the nose, the best thing to use is   (http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/product/101577/fixit-sculpt)  Fix-it sculpt is a wonder working product in the taxidermy field. use it sand it and paint it,If they are not split, just use a very little , just to keep them from cracking. I hope this has been a help to you, and good luck on your new project,I wish you the best success with it, God Bless, Chris