DIY velvet preservation

[Sask hunter]

Wanting to preserve the velvet on the spike elk I shot but don’t want to pay a taxidermist to do it. Seen things about velvet lock online but can’t find any in Canada. Anyone have any other diy things to try

 

[D_Walt]

Don’t know if this is the best way, but I did it once on a mule deer my daughter shot a couple years ago and it worked. Spray it down with 90% rubbing alcohol, wrap it in gauze and keep the gauze as saturated as possible. When you get home take off the gauze and coat it in borax, the more the better. With a spike you might be able to put it in a tub and just bury it with borax. A couple weeks and you should be good. Mostly just need to get the velvet dried before bacteria/decomposition sets in. Anyway, it worked for me.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Put it in the freezer for a year.

 

[shannerdrake]

I’ve done it four times and four different ways.

First time I had no ideas what I was doing and I rubbed the with salt and baking soda. Shockingly it worked well, but I’d never do it again.

Second time I used velvet lok spray. Ehh. Wasn’t impressed and everything smelled like their essential oil blend.

Third time, wrapped the antlers with rags and then saturated the rags with denatured alcohol then put the whole skull in a contractor bag and zip tied it shut for two weeks. Turned out amazing and was cheap and easy. THIS WILL BE MY GO-TO.

Fourth time I paid stupid money to have them professionally freeze dried. Turned out awful. Never again.

Tip - occasionally spray them (and all your hair on mounts for that matter) with Permethrin. Bugs love the velvet.

 

[Muskeez]

Don't know where I heard this but I did it probably 8-10 years ago on a small velvet muley rack. I kept it in a cooler with a lot of ice for the ride home. With today's prices it will be way more expensive but I found a tote just big enough for the head and rack to fit in. I had previously caped it out and euro'd the skull quickly when I got home. . I then filled the tote 3/4 full of unleaded gasoline, no ethanol, and submerged the head in it for 10-14 days I'd guess. Took it out and air dried it on the covered back deck for like a month. Now it's in my basement living room, no scent of any kind and velvet looks as good as the day I brought it home. Weird but it worked. Obviously I take no responsibilities for explosions !