Coloring Antlers

[backcountry_sassn]

I normally don't color my antlers because I believe it makes it lose its value both is money and memory, but I really wanted to color the big deadhead I found a week ago. I watched a lot of videos and ask a lot of questions to other shed hunters, then tested these ideas on sheds that I didn't care to ruin. I tried the wood filler on the entire antler and stain method, drywall mud/paint/stain method, and straight stain. I found that filling the cracks with walnut colored wood stain, then carefully stain with a mixture of a few colors that matched the browns I found did the trick. After it was colored, some careful sanding and sealing with a satin varnish did the trick. After that worked on the junk shed, I decided to try it out one more time on a better shed to make sure it works before I did the deadhead. In the one picture, you can see the difference between just coloring and detailing with sand paper.

 

[MT Bound]

That turned out pretty good man, nice work! Looks like you're gonna have a couple of hunting partner's here in a few years, love it!

 

[EYJONAS!]

Dark coffee grounds work good to.... if I ever color horns I'll save a couple filters full of brewed grounds and use them rub em in then take some sand paper and lightly hit em. Brings out the burrs. Nice work!

 

[Bulldog0156]

Do you have astroturf for a lawn?

 

[backcountry_sassn]

Do you have astroturf for a lawn?

I live in Vegas. Haha it’s definitely not real grass. Real grass doesn’t grow to well here without constant work. Don’t have mow this stuff, or water it. Plus it doesn’t die haha

 

[BearFoot]

Weathered antlers and walnut colored wood stain are a good combo