How to Mount Shed Horns

Purchase a skull plate mounting kit. These plastic skull reproductions mimic a portion of a deer's skull, something that is missing when you find sheds. The plastic skull holds antlers in a natural position so they look more realistic once mounted. You can choose between a basic skull plate or the entire skull.

Clean the antler pedicle, the portion where the antler meets the deer's skull bone tissue. The pedicle must be flat for mounting. You may need to trim away the pedicle with a hacksaw to flatten the base since most antlers do not break off flush.

Hold the antler in a natural-looking position in the pedicle mounting area of the skull plate.

Drill a 3/16-inch hole into the pedicle by following the hole already formed in the skull plate. Drill the hole about an inch in depth, but use caution not to drill too deep or the bit might emerge from the side of the antler.

Mount a screwdriver bit into the drill. Drive one of the mounting screws that came with the skull plate kit into the plate opening and into the hole you drilled in the antler. Tighten the screw firmly enough to hold the antler to the skull plate, but loose enough so you have a little room to rotate the antler slightly.

Repeat the process, attaching the second antler to the other pedicle mounting area.

Check the antlers to ensure they are positioned to look natural, as if you had found them attached to the deer's skull. Adjust them slightly in the skull plate if necessary, then tighten the screws completely.