Euro Mount Sheep: A DIY Guide to Preserving Your Trophy

A successful sheep hunt resulting in a full-curl ram is a trophy hunter’s dream. Preserving that trophy with a euro mount offers a cost-effective and visually striking alternative to traditional taxidermy. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process for creating your own Euro Mount Sheep skull.

First, seal the caped skull and horns in a heavy-duty garbage bag and leave it undisturbed for a month. This allows natural decomposition to begin, loosening the horns from their cores. Placing the bag in direct sunlight on warm days can accelerate the process.

After a month, the horns should easily twist off with some gentle pulling or a rubber mallet tap. Remove the horns and saw off a couple of inches from the core tips for cleaning.

Clean the inside of the horns by scraping out the membrane lining with a dull knife and a flexible fillet knife. Soak the horns in water and dish soap to eliminate lingering odors, then pack them with Borax to absorb moisture and further deodorize.

Submerge the skull in a bucket of warm water with baking soda for a week to further loosen remaining tissue. After soaking, simmer the skull in a pot of water with baking soda and dish soap for approximately 45 minutes, scraping off any remaining flesh. Avoid boiling, as it can damage the bone.

Once simmered, meticulously clean the skull with scraping tools and wire brushes, removing all remaining tissue. Degrease the skull by soaking it in a borax solution for a week or in unleaded gasoline for three weeks for especially greasy skulls. Rinse thoroughly after degreasing.

Whiten the skull by submerging it in 40 volume hydrogen peroxide (Clairoxide 40) for 24 hours. Wear protective gear when handling this chemical. Afterwards, clean and reattach any loose teeth using super glue.

Optionally, seal the skull with a clear gloss polyurethane spray for added protection and shine.

Finally, reattach the horns using Bondo body filler. Apply the Bondo to the horn cores, carefully position the horns, and hold firmly in place until the filler sets. Allow the Bondo to cure for 24 hours before displaying your finished euro mount.