Antler Dying

Antler Dying Project

I shot this Stag in 2013, it was a very memorable Stalk for many reasons. The wind that day kept changing directions so consequently we had several failed Stalks. It was getting late in the day and we spotted a large herd of Stags. There were over a hundred in the herd. James the Stalker picked a suitable Stag and we started our Stalk. As we got into shooting position the wind changed again and the herd got wind of us. They got restless and started to run. The selected Stag went over the hill before I could get a shot off. As the heard continued to bolt over the hill James guided me into a Stag, I followed it across the hill and when it got bunched up with others and slowed I pulled the trigger. The Stag went down.  

I think that James was tired and wanted the Stalk to end because this Stag is not your typical Scottish cull Stag as a matter of fact he got some crap for shooting it from the Head Stalker when we got back to the lodge. 

This beast was a sign to be seen, he was a big stag with a large rack. He was still shedding his velvet and had strands of velvet hanging from his antlers. Aside from he lasting memories he gave me many very picturesque photos. This was my last Stalk of the trip and the last time I had a Stag removed from the hill on a Garron (Scottish Hill Pony) by a Ponyman. 

Sadly Garrons have been replaced by noisy machines. Progress they say...

When I received the antlers in the US I mounted them on a walnut plaque and hung them in a prestigious place in my garage. 

Unfortunately due to import regulations the loose velvet had to be removed and the antlers had to be bleached and treated with hydrogen peroxide before shipment. This left the antlers chalky white. The chalky white color always bothered me and did not due justice to the majestic stag. 

So I decided that I would dye the antlers. After a little research I found that Taxidermists use potassium permanginate to dye antlers. So off to ebay I went and got some potassium permanginante. I mixed up the solution and went to town. 

The solution is purple when mixed and when you first apply it. It is a little disheartening to see your antlers purple. It looks like some new age art that you would see in a trendy Edinburgh restaurant. But the solution reacts with the oxygen in the air and eventually starts to turn brown. On the left you can see the bare antlers with some of the solution applied, on the right you can see the solution starting to turn brown. 

After a few coats the antlers have an nice brown and are presentable again.

Here the antlers are back on the wall in my garage.