Elk Antler

[Woodlvr]

My stepson brought me a 7 X 7 Elk rack in November and of course wanted two pens from it immediately, which I knew that I could not do. So I have it in the shed drying out and was wondering do I need to cut it into some kinds of pieces to help out the drying process? I tolm my stepson that I thought that it would take at least a year. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[bitshird]

Mike, I cut my deer antler into usable size pieces, straighten out the ones I can by boiling them and pressing them in a vice and let all of my fresh kill antler dry until the next season or at least 6 or 7 months for the small white tail we have, I imaging large Elk would take longer to dry out in the pulp, the Eye tines should dry pretty easy, Sheds don't require as much drying time since they were basically drying out and dying, the blood flow wasn't getting into the marrow/pulp as much as on a live critter.

 

[JohnU]

Ive never had a problem with waiting. I cut anlter off fresh roadkill and turn the next day. The only thing I notice is the strength of the odor and the softness of the marrow. Either way, I turn them with no problem. A few coats of thin CA to finish and your good. Elk antler tips make nice pens. The main beam is pretty thick for pens unless your making the larger high end stuff. They make nice chain pulls. I would suggest not making anything smaller than a comfort pen. slims tend to crack with use.

 

[Woodlvr]

Thanks Ken and John. I am going to wait until it warms up and get the rack out of the shed (buried).