Pixman

Just depends on what you like. I have darkened some sheds and they look great and some that looked ok. They wont look a 100% genuine in my opinion but I like darkened better than white.

Great find, did you darken the antlers or leave them as is?

I went out looking for deer today, it is a tradition I started a long time ago that I go out the day after Thanksgiving aka black Friday. I would rather be outdoors than fighting in walmart lol. I glassed up a deer from a long ways away and thought it was a buck so I hiked over to it to find out it was the group with the Hybrid in it. I enjoy seeing and taking pics of them and feel fortunate to do so. If you don't think it is a Hybrid look at the size of this doe, she is as big as the muleys if not bigger and she never flagged like a wt would. Enjoy and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

No problem, I try to not take offense to things life is too short. I agree there are freaks and different looking coues and muleys but I also believe there are Hybrids. Again this is my opinion and some will agree and some will disagree. I think what I am seeing are Hybrids and it is a rare thing to see so I want to share the pics on here with this great website. I took a beating for asking for pics of a tail from a big buck that was shot, it looked like a Hybrid to me so I was curious and was wanting to see how the tail looked. If that doe was by herself I don't think I would think much other than there is a big coues with nothing to really compare size wise but when I see it in the middle of a group of muleys everytime I really can't think anything other than Hybrid. I will continue to post pics when I am able to find them. Take care, Pixman

Nice buck congrats

There is nothing wrong with speaking your mind/opinion and I enjoy hearing what others have to say. But I have to ask questions back. Have you seen doe's that don't flag or just mature bucks? Because this is a doe not a mature buck and it is with other muley doe's. Do you think it is a wt hanging out with muleys or do you think it is a Hybrid? I learn something everyday and see new things all the time that surprise me or I have never seen before. My opinion is there are a few Hybrids out there and that I have taken pics of them and that is my opinion but when I see them out in the field it is prob. a little different then seeing a couple of pics on your computer. Pixman

Abnormal is an understatement! That thing is crazy looking. I can't really score a normal buck so I am no help on scoring that abnormal buck.

Great buck,congrats.

Got a group of them on a trailcam in 23

Awesome!

Good luck buddy, hopefully we will see some pics of a big bull this weekend!

Well now we will be waiting to see your great video! No pressure, lol

Wow that is very unique!

Well I was bored and decided to darken an elk shed I have had for years. It is the biggest one I have done so it took a little longer but I am happy with how it turned out. I know it isn't perfect but it looks good to me. I'm not sure if you can tell from the pic or not but I used some 220 sandpaper and lightened some high points a bit to make it look more natural!

I added a third pic to show how I lightened the antler a bit to make it look more natural.

Sounds very interesting Amanda but my brain keeps saying that won't taste good lol. I guess I will have to trust you.

Congrats!

The lemon oil definetly adds color and darkens the shed. The mud helps add color but the oil is what makes it look good.

No, I have never tried stain. I saw where someone had tried this method so I tried it as well and have liked the results. My opinion is they would look stained and not natural but I don't know for sure.

I have posted darkened sheds on here before and explained how I did it but I will explain my process again. I got some dirt from up north and brought home. I have used dirt from my backyard but it was light colored so I wanted dirt from the area where the animals live. I take a bucket of some of my dirt and mix in some water to make mud, basically thick enough it will hold to antler and I cover the entire antler. I let it dry on the antler for a couple of days and then with a stiff brush I remove the dried up mud. You will see the antler has been stained by the mud and then I pour and rub Old English lemon oil all over the shed and let dry. It is fairly simple and I am happy with how they turn out. There are probably better ways to go about it but this works for me. Here is a pic of the antler covered in mud while drying. I haven't done it to this antler but sometimes I will take some light sandpaper and hit the high spots to give it some white, it gives it a better look instead of one solid color. Hope this helps!

Can't beat that trip, congrats.

Thanks you guys!

Awesome sheds thanks for sharing.

Why don't you visit them on their hunt banging pots and pans all the way in

+ 1 Happy Birthday my friend!