Bleach Your Own Deer Skull for the Perfect DIY European Mount –
Let us show you how to bleach a deer skull to make your own European mount for display. We created a video of the process while preserving the skull and antlers of the buck my son recently harvested. It’s a simple and inexpensive process that can save you hundreds of dollars.
*This post contains affiliate links.
**Image Warning – Do not scroll further if you have a problem with animals being harvested.
Pin this!
Hunting Feeds Our Family
One way we have been able to feed our large family at a low cost has been through hunting. A few weeks ago my freezer was nearly bare. Today my freezer is full because my husband harvested two bucks and my son another.
We actually only kept two of the three bucks for ourselves. One was given to others who needed it. Two will be plenty to keep us in venison for the year. You can view a Facebook Live video we took while butchering last weekend here. Facebook only saved part of the video, but you can get the general idea.
My husband participated in a state reduction hunt at Fort Harrison State Park this year which resulted in the additional buck. State reduction hunts are necessary to keep the deer population under control.
When too many deer survive, there’s not enough food to support the higher population, and animals starve to death instead. Deer populations that are allowed to continue unchecked lead to increased human fatalities in car/deer accidents. The deer population is carefully monitored by the Department of Natural Resources, and state reduction hunts are instituted when needed.
You may also want to check out The UnderWarmer Heated Vest for Hunting and Outdoor Recreation!
Displaying Antlers without Paying a Taxidermist
Hunters like to display their antlers, but this is a practice that can become very costly. Having a full head and shoulders mount created by a taxidermist runs several hundred dollars. Even having a professional create a European skull mount can cost $100-$200.
Paying to have someone else preserve your trophy antlers really negates any cost savings you might gain from hunting for your own food. Thankfully, we’ve learned to make our own European skull mounts for display.
You can create a DIY European skull mount for a fraction of the cost you would be charged by a professional.
What You Will Need to Bleach Your Own Deer Skull
The electrical tape is used to wrap the base of the antlers to keep the chemicals from bleaching them.
Both 40 Volume Creme Developer and the Quick White Powder Lightener can be purchased at any beauty supply store.
We bought ours at Sally’s Beauty almost ten years ago. They are both available at Amazon as well.
There are a number of different brackets available. We’ve tried using regular brackets from the hardware store. They have not worked as well. We’ve tried some other brands, but we really prefer Mountain Mike’s Positioner Wall Bracket. It’s sturdy, holds the skull at the correct angle, and has a nice price.
Bleach Your Own Deer Skull Video Tutorial
Watch the video for instructions on the skull whitening process!
You can also find instructions and a video for another fun antler display option in DIY Dipped Skull Mount.
Sweet!!! I still have our bear skull in the freezer because I don’t want to pay to get it bleached.
Oh, a bear skull would be really cool! It should be the very same process. Start boiling!