Cool Ways to Display DIY Antler Creations

Now that deer season is in full swing you have killed a buck, or will before the season is over. Are you looking for something cool to do with the antlers?

Instead of showing your trophy off with a traditional shoulder, antler or European mount, try creating your own antler decor with these antler projects by American Hunter.

Delirious with cabin fever, I looked at this big wooden box of antlers in my office and thought that while some are keys to great memories, others would be more charming as door handles, slingshots and salt-and-pepper shakers. I then did what I always do to sober up before attempting a project—I had a YouTube binge. I saw all these bored sportsmen making all sorts of things with antlers. Before long I was making a mess with a drill and reciprocating saw. It felt cathartic.

You see, I was brought up on the belief that antlers are sacred relics. But once I realized that making a so-so buck’s rack into a knife handle is at least as complementary as letting it gather dust this taboo faded away. Soon my not-so-cherished antlers started to become useful things. Well, useful maybe, but aesthetically pleasing, not so much. I found that necessity may be the mother of invention, but cabin fever is certainly the father of antler inventions, even if all of us aren’t gifted artisans. So, being a journalist nutty enough to actually do what he writes about, I started interviewing master artisans who work with antlers. Here is some of their advice.

Coffee Table Legs
The bad news is you’ll need a lot of antlers to make this work. The good news is you can’t mess it up, as it’s supposed to look like a mess.

Glenn Eilders (antlerandwoodcreations.com) stressed that you need to wear a respirator when cutting or drilling into antlers, as the dust can cause lung infections. After getting the proper safety equipment, what you’ll first need for this project is a glass top. The easiest way to get one is to buy a used glass-topped coffee table and discard those vulgar store-bought legs. Now pile up your antlers to see what works best and drill and bolt your way to the coffee table of your dreams. Use epoxy putty and a stain that matches the antlers to hide the nuts and bolts. Eilders says this isn’t very hard, just time consuming. Leveling the four legs is the hardest part – well, after convincing your spouse it’ll look good in the den.

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