Skull Cross
Skull Cross
On a recent scouting trip to the Diamond TF Hunting Ranch in Sonora, the ranch owner’s son and I made a sad discovery. Lying near a cross fence, scattered around, were the bones of a young blackbuck antelope. We determined it was likely the remains of the first blackbuck ever seen on the 1,900 acre low fenced ranch. First observed, alive, 2 years ago, he had apparently escaped his original home range on a neighboring ranch to find residence on the Diamond TF. As I picked up the sun-bleached and badly weathered skull, my mind was already at work as to how I could manage to give this blackbuck a better (tribute) than having it turn to dust along a secluded field edge.
Having no background in taxidermy, I set out to restore the skull into something (at least to some of us) “beautiful”! After a little online research and a few phone calls to taxidermist friends, I got to work. Here is the process (you’re going to be amazed how easy this is!) of reviving an old blackbuck skull:
STEP 1: Clean off the skull of any dirt, caked mud or other debris using hot water or a wet rag. If you can’t get it all, don’t worry, STEP 2 will take care of the rest.
STEP 2: Soak the skull in a bucket (something just large enough to contain the skull) of hydrogen peroxide 3% (available at WalMart for around $0.99/bottle). Make sure that you have enough peroxide to cover the skull completely. Leave the skull in the solution for 24-72 hours. The longer the soak, the more bleached the skull will become (to a point). Remove the skull and allow it to air dry for a day or so. Check for any teeth that have fallen out and reset w/glue. If the color is to your liking, skip to STEP 4. I was looking for a brighter white look, so I moved on to STEP 3.
STEP 3: Next, wrap the horns with newspaper or tin foil to protect them. Once the horns are wrapped, take some flat white spray paint (again, around $1.00 at WalMart) and coat the skull lightly. Repeat this process one or two more times to coat the skull evenly.
STEP 4: During my research, I found this gem. Most suggestions involve finding a good wood stain along w/ some paint thinner. Remember, we’re trying to make this quick and painless…try this instead. Cover the skull or areas just around the horn bases. Now, take WD40 (yes, WD40) and spray the horns thoroughly and evenly. I was skeptical at first, so I only sprayed one horn tip. When I saw the results, I was sold. The chemicals really revive and bring out the NATURAL colors of the horns. Check out the results!
Final Product
There are dozens of suggestions of ways to restore animal horns and antlers. This combination of several was the most affordable and easiest in my opinion. Best of luck on your future restoration projects and I hope this will shed some light on a quick and easy way to give some life to that old, weathered skull from the “field edge”.
Craig Ellwanger runs a website about Exotic Hunting and has many years experience in hunting. If you have any questions make sure to head over to AllAboutExotics.com
Searching for a Tattoo including Skull and St Georges Cross running through it?
I recently bought a T-shirt with the a logo on the front bearing a Skull with the St georges Cross running through it and the words” England In My Heart”. I have tried searching the internet to find a similar design with the details above but without any luck. Anyone got any ideas where I can find a design like the one described?
this page has loads on
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-ContextMenu&rlz=1I7ACAW_enGB363&q=st+george+flag+tattoos&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=80AVTI2ZOaT80wT3jO30CQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDgQsAQwAw
and try tattoojohnny.com
Skull And Cross Bones Speed Up Drawing(very cool)
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Cross Skulls Brotherhood Gothic Tribal Sport T-Shirt $20.95 |
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Fred Bone Chillers Ice Cube Tray $2.18 New Bone Chillers Ice Tray. Chill your beverages to the bone! Fill and freeze the Bone Chillers tray and you’ll create an icy array of skulls and crossbones that will have everyone’s timbers shivering. Drink up, me hearties! Clear, peggable, recyclable display boxes. Tray makes 8 ice cubes. Flexible and easy to use. Freezer and refrigerator safe. Easy to wash. Perfect for parties! You and your gu… |
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Fox Run Pirates Treasure Cookie Cutter Set $6.29 This set has 5 tin cookie cutters in the shape of PIRATE ITEMS. Included are a Skull & bones, Pirate’s Hat, Treasure Chest, Gold Coin, and a Pirate Ship. Great fun for the whole family…. |
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Skull and Cross Bones Wall Mounted Classic Zinc Starr X Bottle Opener $5.95 … |
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Skull Wall Stickers / Decals PINK and Zebra Print $23.99 These individually cut out Hot Pink Zebra Print Skull Wall Decals in Black, Hot Pink and white come on sheet about 26in wide by 21in. Each of the 6 skull wall decals are about 7in. by 6in. The 6 cross bone wall decals measure about 8in wide by 5in tall. Our easy to use removable Zebra Print Skull wall stickers are both reusable and repositionable. Just peel and stick to just about any surface. (W… |
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Reflective Stickers, Hard Hat Decals Skull and Crossbones $5.99 ###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################… |
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Knock Out Hitch Covers 133 Skull and Cross Bones Hitch Cover with Black High Impact Automotive Plastic Body $10.43 Knock Out Hitch Covers – Skull and Cross Bones Hitch Cover with Black High Impact Automotive Plastic Body. Model: KN133. Measures approximately 5 wide by 3 1/2″ high. Black high impact automotive plastic. Body is molded in ONE piece, no spot welding as in some metal models. Molded to fit tightly and perfectly, no rattling. Fits standard 2″ receivers. Spring clip provided to hold hitch cover in pla… |
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Road Trips: Vol. 2, No. 2 – Carousel 2/14/68 (2 CD) $48.99 Not factory sealed, but in very good condition and DOES include bonus disc… |
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Road Trips: Vol. 2, No. 2 – Carousel 2/14/68 $49.99 Valentine’s Day, 1968 in San Francisco’s legendary Carousel Ballroom was an extraordinary experience, and it’s all captured here – as the first complete show in the Road Trips series. Thanks to a trusty 8-track tape machine, we can enjoy this magical performance that catches the band at a pivotal moment in the exploration of their own sound. It was a night where the band tried out all their newest… |
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Che/13 Crosses 16, Blazin Skulls/Goodbye Darling [Vinyl] $16.98 … |
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Verizon Pantech Hotshot Accessory – Black Rubberized Designer Protective Hard Case Cover + SportDroid Transparent/Clear Decal $3.65 Protect your cell phone with our premium Crystal Image case. This accessory provides protection for your cell phone from unnecessary scratch, dent or chips. It is made to fit perfectly and give the phone maximum protection. The hard strong plastic is reinforced from the front edge, side and back to prolong the life of your case. Beside its protection, it also has openings precisely made to access … |
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