Do you have more deer antlers than you know what to do with? Because of their somewhat “inconvenient” shape and size, antlers are oftentimes difficult to store. Whether they are full racks or single sheds, storing them can prove to be a challenge. And if it’s not done right, you risk damaging or even destroying your antlers. The good news, however, is that there are methods for safely storing deer antlers. Keep reading and we’ll reveal some of the most effective ways to store them in a safe, controlled environment.
Let’s face it, you probably won’t have much of a problem only storing a couple of deer antlers. You place them in a box and stash them in your closet, garage, basement or attic for safe keeping. Of course, they will probably remain here for years on end, but it’s still a simple way to keep them stored out of your way. Although, if you have any more than half a dozen sheds or antlers, you’ll have to come up with other means for storing them.
General Deer Antler Storage Tips and Advice:
- Deer antlers are sharper than most people realize and can cause serious injury if stored incorrectly.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun will cause deer antlers to fade, so make sure they are stored in a cool, shaded area.
- Keep your deer antlers stored in an easily accessible area in case you want to use them for crafting furniture or other items later on.
Storing Method #1 – Mounting Deer Antlers
Arguably, one of the best all-around methods for storing deer antlers is to mount and hang them on your walls. Contrary to what some people may believe, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for some high-priced taxidermy service. For about $50 bucks, you can purchase antler mounting kits complete with all of the necessary supplies. It may not look as large and complex as a full deer head mount, but it’s still a nice way to showcase your trophy antlers in a living room or game room. The only downside is that you’ll need a mount for each set of antlers you wish to display, which can become quite expensive depending on your current collection.
We recommend visiting our page on deer antler mounting kits here. Not only can find some of the best deals on high-quality mounting kits, but you can also learn more about how to use them correctly. While most of these kits come with instructions, a lot of it is simply trial and error. The more antlers you mount, the better you’ll become at it. At the very least, you should mount one of your antler sets to see how well it comes out. With the price of a kit costing only $50, what do you have to lose?
Storing Method #2 – Plastic Bins
A more affordable method for storing deer antlers is to place them in large plastic bins that you can stack on top of each other. You can find these for sale at most Wal-Mart and home improvement stores. Some of the larger bins can easily hold several dozen antler sheds, making them a good storage choice for people with large collections. Not only can you fit a significant amount of antlers in plastic bins, but they are also waterproof, which is just another benefit associated with their use.
If you plan on storing deer antlers in one or more plastic bins, you may want to wrap them up in newspaper or bubble wrap first. I know this takes a bit more time and is more tedious all around, but it helps to protect your antlers from damage. Even if you gently place the antlers inside a plastic bin, there’s a chance they will get knocked around which may cause them to chip or break. The couple extra minutes it takes to wrap them up in a protective sheet of newspaper or bubble wrap could prevent this from happening.
After your deer antler are placed inside their respective plastic bins, you can then move them to either a free area inside the home or somewhere outside. As previously stated, the plastic bins will keep them protected against rain, high/low temperatures, sunlight, etc; therefore, you can safely store the antler-filled bins outside without worrying about damage.
Storage Method #3 – Shelves
A third possible way to store deer antlers is to prop them up for display on shelves inside your home. This serves a couple of different purposes – your deer antlers are kept safely out of the way, and it fills the shelves with a decorative element that brings more style and uniqueness to your home. If your home lacks any real sense of decor, perhaps you should consider using this method to help bring new life to the environment.
There’s really no wrong way to display deer antlers on shelves. Just clear off a couple of rows of shelves and line the antlers down them any way you please. With that said, it’s usually best to dedicate an entire bookcase or shelving unit solely to deer antlers. Trying to mix them in with things like framed photos, books, candles and other everyday decorative items creates a somewhat cluttered effect. Instead, use your shelving unit ONLY for displaying and storing deer antlers.
The only real downside to storing deer antlers out on shelves is that you run the risk of your antlers accidentally getting knocked over. This may not seem like a problem, but you have to remember the points of antlers are pretty sharp, and they could injure a person of family pet if it lands tip first. A good rule of thumb is to avoid this method if you have small children or pets inside the house. You can go one step further by using low-profile shelving units that don’t go about chest height.
