what's a good color for antler/skullcap mount plaque?

[mazzgolf]

Well, it wasn't a huge deer, but it is a trophy to me (my first deer I got a few weeks ago). I call it a "5.5 ptr" (he has 2 points on his right side, with a small 1-inch brow tine, and he has 3 points on the left with, strangely, no brow tine - looks odd to me).

 

Anyway, I have the skull cap and antlers. Don't have the money for a professional job; I'll mount it myself on a plaque. I bleached the skull cap so it's a nice white, and cleaned the antlers up with soap and water. Looks really good. Now I want to put it on a plaque. The buck was taken with a bow, so I want an arrowhead design, but the color is a question.

 

What's a good color to help the colors of the white skull and antlers really come out? (I don't think I want to cover the skullcap - I think it looks cool the way it is without covering it up with a patch of leather).

 

Anyone have pictures of antler skullcaps mounted on plaques of different wood?

 

I'm looking at one of these: http://www.taxidermistwoodshop.com/Arrowhead-8-x-10-Antler-Panels-s/1901.htm

 

There's three I am considering - the dark oak as my first choice, then cedar, then pecky cyprus.

 

 

I'm thinking the light color of the cyprus or medium oak won't help the skull pop and looks too close to the color of the antlers. The cedar does looks cool, but is lighter than the dark oak. Just curious of the opinions out there and if any has pics of antler mounts on plaques.

 

[3Blade]

I like the cedar.

[Rusty]

I think all 3 look great, you'll be happy with any of those.  

[Merkel]

I too like the cedar option.

[ratherbhunting]

I like the dark oak, but you have to consider the color of the wall you are putting it on, and the first buck you ever get is huge so congrats on that (my first buck was a four pointer that I got mounted) again congrats

[Bucndoe]

The one on the right looks like natural oak which is what I prefer. It is also a color that you will always be able to find everywhere

[trapperjake]

Yea the one on the right looks good. Congratulations on the buck but next time don't use bleach on a skull it deteriorates bone and makes it flake. You want to use peroxide.

[BHC]

I agree with that Rusty guy

[mazzgolf]

Yea the one on the right looks good. Congratulations on the buck but next time don't use bleach on a skull it deteriorates bone and makes it flake. You want to use peroxide.

 

Right. I didn't mean to say I used actual bleach. I used a 40% hydrogen peroxide water solution (using the store bought 3% hydrogen peroxide) and that "bleached" the bone pretty good.

[mazzgolf]

Well, here it is! Finally got around to finishing this today. I figured update this thread with the final product  I went with the cedar, as you can see. After putting peroxide solution on the skull, mounting it on the plaque, and getting a brass plate, here's what it looks like. I think it came out good, this being my first attempt at something like this.

After looking at it on the wall and contemplating like it was a piece of art  I think I really do like those uneven antlers - 3 on left, 2 (plus tiny brow tine) on right... it is unique-looking. Finally, first deer on the wall. 

 

Edited March 30, 2018 by mazzgolf

[Russ 11]

Looks awesome Mazz , congrats !

[Trophy8]

Turned out great!

[Live to Hunt]

looks great

[LPJR]

Well done! 1st of many, looks great mazz. 

[MRMCR]

I liked the black...but it looks good as is......