Caring for velvet after the hunt

Tfng · #1 09-08-2015, 11:45 PM

Reading some of the archery success stories it occurred to me that velvet takes extra care to preserve. I have no idea what it entails.

I've been watching a couple really good mule deer and it looks like I might get a chance to get out hunting this week. I'd like to have an idea what to do before I shoot a velvet buck.

So what does preserving the velvet entail? Just get it to a taxidermist ASAP?

Lefty-Canuck · #2 09-09-2015, 06:59 AM

Velvet is living tissue...it can rot, it is also fragile so it can slip off.

Don't drag your animal by the antlers, get the velvet into a freezer ASAP if you can't get to a taxidermist.

LC

Tfng · #3 09-09-2015, 10:40 AM

Thanks Lefty!

cowboyhunter · #4 09-09-2015, 12:16 PM

Turpentine wiped on gently works real good, dries it out if you can't get to the freezer. Smells for awhile but eventually goes away.

Wiser · #5 09-09-2015, 10:17 PM

I've used Varsol on a couple mulie racks and its worked really well. The trick is to apply several coats over a couple day span then let it dry well. The one rack is 20 years old and still looks good.

Wiser · #6 09-09-2015, 10:18 PM

Used a paint brush and applied gently....

SBE2 · #7 09-10-2015, 12:07 AM

There is a good thread on this with lots of info already. As mentioned there and after talking to one of the best taxidermists in the country about what to do, he suggests rubbing borax powder into the velvet and wrapping in gauze. Time and temperature are your enemies with the velvet. If you are pretty close to a freezer that can handle the head and rack, get it there ASAP. If not, borax and gauze method and keep it out of any heat. Likely just a few days left to have to worry about this, best of luck.

Huntingonthebrain · #8 09-10-2015, 10:22 AM

Inject rubbing alcohol into the vevet and rub on outside. No smell. Let air dry.

HoytAlpha35 · #9 09-11-2015, 10:43 AM

Used an ethyl alcohol for my two deer. Hang the antlers upside down and started injecting where you can see veins in the antlers and made tiny cuts on the tips of the antlers to drain out the liquid. First one was an early Sept 2 deer, still really fuzzy, lots of fluid drained. Second one Sept 8, getting close to shedding velvet not too much came out. These deer were shot 4 and 5 years ago with not issues or signs of degrading.

Tfng · #10 09-11-2015, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. I was unsuccessful on my hunt and am back to work now. Maybe I'll get a velvet buck next year!

nekred · #11 09-14-2015, 09:53 AM

Hang in granary upside down at low temperature until stench goes away.... This worked for a few of mine....

Or you hang upside down and pit pinholes in tip and inject formaldehyde at base until it runs out the pinholes and then hang in granary at low temperature until stench goes away...

Lefty-Canuck · #12 09-14-2015, 04:35 PM

Dropped my velvet deer off at the taxidermist. Basically I think he treats it with borax and freezes it....then while frozen places fans near it and basically freeze dries it.

LC

Tfng · #13 09-14-2015, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Dropped my velvet deer off at the taxidermist. Basically I think he treats it with borax and freezes it....then while frozen places fans near it and basically freeze dries it.

LC

I saw the pics of that deer. Real nice buck! Euro or full mount?

Lefty-Canuck · #14 09-15-2015, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFNG

I saw the pics of that deer. Real nice buck! Euro or full mount?

I am getting a shoulder pedestal mount done.

LC

L.O.S.T.Arrow · #15 09-15-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekred

Hang in granary upside down at low temperature until stench goes away.... This worked for a few of mine....

Or you hang upside down and pit pinholes in tip and inject formaldehyde at base until it runs out the pinholes and then hang in granary at low temperature until stench goes away...

Also had great luck with injecting formaldahyde...wear good protective gear when using

Neil