Friends, elk antlers what to do...?

[Sytes]

My elk head turned euro has not really occurred from my 2010 hunt - Thread was posted in the elk sub forum last year. An agreement with my hunting partner did not really hold up. Not going to get into the details as it is not necessary - other then it was supposed to be completed last december. Our agreement was, I would pay to process the meat and give him 1/3rd for him euro'ing the head. We didn't hunt together this year as he just landed a job... We have been hunting partners for many years. This is something we will have to discuss. I really don't want to lose a friendship and partner over an elk head - though considering it is one of the better (best for my montana trips) - It makes me a little frustrated. I have stayed away from chatting about it with him - though last I sw, in June / July it was buried in his back yard due to the stench.

I am considering picking it up though in it's current condition what are my options? Will a TAXI accept it? Will beetles still clean it up after this time frame? Any suggestions for the NW area Taxi wise to take it to? What would be an approximate cost if viable to complete as initially intended?

Thanks guys.

 

[elkantlers]

Euro mounts are easy to do. Just go get the head and do it your self. You can buy a kit from Cabela's that has all the chemicals to clean and whiten the skull or you can buy the same stuff from Van Dykes taxidermy a little cheaper.

I have done several and it really isn't hard to do.

 

[Smoked]

Well it won't be much work to get it cleaned up and looking good. I would imagine that everything is off the skull by now. The real problem that I can see with your head is that buring the head in dirt is going to cause some major stains on the skull and will be difficult to make the skull white. But after degreasing the skull and soaking it in some 40 volume hydrogen poroxide it should turn out good. Just be very careful soaking it in 40 volume, I have never had a problem but I do know some guys who have so just be careful. Pick it up and post some pictures of the condition that it is in.

 

[RockyDog]

i think you meant to send that blurb to Judge Judy and instead you accidentally posted it on HT.

 

[BuzzH]

Sytes,

I suggest you get the head and as elkantlers says, do it yourself, its pretty darn easy. A taxi will still take it in as well, most are getting around $200 for an elk head, give or take.

If you lived closer, you could throw it in with the ones I'm doing right now.

 

[mdunc8]

My buddy buries his for a few months. The bugs do a pretty good job cleaning it for you. However, the skull has a pretty weathered look after leaving them in the ground for that long. Don't know if the normal whitening tricks will work or not. I've got a couple I'm finishing up this weekend too. Drop it off with a six pack of Busch Light and we'll call it even.

 

[----]

Sytes,

I suggest you get the head and as elkantlers says, do it yourself, its pretty darn easy. A taxi will still take it in as well, most are getting around $200 for an elk head, give or take.

If you lived closer, you could throw it in with the ones I'm doing right now.

It's only $120ish here if you don't do a plaque at all.
I'd take it to get beetle cleaned (50-60 bucks) and then whiten it yourself.

 

[Dinkshooter]

If you can weld up sweet wood stoves, you can boil a head.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Notice I said sweet......................Napoleon D!!!!!!!!

Girls want guys with skills, wood stove skills, euro skills, elk hunting skills...............................

 

[noharleyyet]

Save the friendship if you think it's worth it. The euro is salvageable and the meat is replaceable.

 

[putm2sleep]

Let him have it, and go get another brother. You got the meat

 

[putm2sleep]

And screw the friendship....like ya noharleyyet, but some folks change for the worse as we get older I am finding. I thought it was, 'ya get better with age?' I hope I am, hell I am almost 40 now. Have been taking my best friend elk hunting for 15 years, but the last 4 have lost their luster due in part to this kind of shiat. Finding my dear friend and me growing apart. I have killed some good bulls and let him take the horns home so he can show off on I-80 on the way home. I have put him on bulls and he has some nice trophies of his own for his Omaha home. I pay for all the groceries, set up base camp, arrange the horse drop and have even bought him bullets. The last few years, it has been a splash and dash. I over-nighted his meat to him 2 years ago without as much as a thank you. Never sent me a check. He did not help pay for the horse this year. He is going from hero to zero in my book. Anyway, pick up the rack and euro that sucker! And keep your meat ya paid for too.

 

[noharleyyet]

if you think it's worth it

I completely agree with ya putm....with the aforementioned caveat.

 

[buck23]

Best to talk to him that you're coming to get the elk.Not talking about it could really be the thing that ends your friendship.But I agree with putm2sleep,let him go.dont waste any more time.

 

[WV Hunter]

And screw the friendship....like ya noharleyyet, but some folks change for the worse as we get older I am finding. I thought it was, 'ya get better with age?' I hope I am, hell I am almost 40 now. Have been taking my best friend elk hunting for 15 years, but the last 4 have lost their luster due in part to this kind of shiat. Finding my dear friend and me growing apart. I have killed some good bulls and let him take the horns home so he can show off on I-80 on the way home. I have put him on bulls and he has some nice trophies of his own for his Omaha home. I pay for all the groceries, set up base camp, arrange the horse drop and have even bought him bullets. The last few years, it has been a splash and dash. I over-nighted his meat to him 2 years ago without as much as a thank you. Never sent me a check. He did not help pay for the horse this year. He is going from hero to zero in my book. Anyway, pick up the rack and euro that sucker! And keep your meat ya paid for too.

You want to hunt with me, drthornton and another fellow this year? I might even share my sleeping bag with a friend like you

 

[idnative1948]

Sytes
This kind of BS makes a person sad, but then you go to mad,knowing that a friendship has gone by the wayside. Some people just don't get and it is hard to understand why. I went so far as having a come to Jesus meeting with who I thought was one of my best friends to let him know I was pi$$ed and his comment, "I guess I just don't see how I could of made you mad."

Another vote for you picking it up and digging in and get it done.

 

[BuzzH]

These kind of things happen all the time.

It is sad, and it also does piss a person off.

Been through it a bunch. I've spent countless hours scouting areas, researching, driving all over half of Wyoming/Montana to find good areas to hunt. Many figure that stuff is all free and then feel like they're really doing you a favor by splitting gas money on the actual hunt.

What I always had a tough time with is friends lack of commitment. They always seem to have plenty of time to go on a hunt...just no time to do any of the other legwork/scouting, etc. Usually no time to set up camp, no time to tear camp down...in particular once their tags were punched. Same with scouting, always too busy to scout...but quick to ask what you saw, where, how big, when you get back. Never an offer of a single penny for your scouting efforts either. Their time is more valuable than yours.

Things get even more fun when those type of guys find a good place...and they dont offer up any help in return on the stuff they find.

I've come to the realization, sadly, many that you believe to be good friends are only looking out for #1.

The way to approach it is to either accept the fact that your friends are just always going to be on the take their whole life, just ignore it and hunt with them. If you cant ignore it, let them know and then if they throw a fit and pout...hunt alone. Hunting with dead weight is no fun, frustrating, and simply not worth it.

On the other hand, a friend that will share information, share expenses on joint hunts, share scouting and research...can be a great deal.

Also, on the other hand, I've been well beyond humbled by the graciousness some people on this board have shown with sharing information and helping me out. Hopefully I get the chance to repay them someday.

 

[putm2sleep]

WV Hunter, that is a dam good offer, but ya better have a double wide, as I am 6'4? Being that you are in WV...I might be asking you and drthorton to join me! Bow, muzzle, or rifle bro?

 

[WV Hunter]

WV Hunter, that is a dam good offer, but ya better have a double wide, as I am 6'4? Being that you are in WV...I might be asking you and drthorton to join me! Bow, muzzle, or rifle bro?

Another love connection made on HT. Bromance.........

 

[Dinkshooter]

Another love connection made on HT. Bromance.........

Send a PM to AZ402 and Schmalts, they'll get you set up with sleeping bags.