Discolored buffalo boss

[roklok]

I just received my buffalo skull from 2024 hunt. It actually looked better than I expected coming out of the crate. However, the horn bosses have quite a bit of discoloration. I am not sure even with close examination if the horn material itself is "bleached", or if the light colored material is remnants of salt and or dipping chemicals. I just read through Buck Wild's excellent tutorial;

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/rebuilding-the-bosses-on-a-buffalo.68113/

I did not see anything in that thread discussing this particular problem. I can try to paint or stain the light colored material and then apply melted beeswax as described, or try to remove the light colored material first which may actually be horn. I think it is bleached horn material but not certain. Anybody else experience this ? How did you address it ? If I pick at the edges of the light colored material I can get it to chip off, but it seems like horn keratin that has been compromised.

 

[375Fox]

They have to scrub the horns and remove the bark as part of dip and pack process. That area typically has a lot of bark from trees. I’d take it to your taxidermy so they can paint it with their darkening oil and make a more even color. They might also recognize faster if it is a mistake from dip and pack process with chemicals but I can’t tell without seeing firsthand.

Can you post original photo of boss and horns?

 

[Scott CWO]

I’m stumped! Does it look like a layer of something on top of the actual horn material? If you flake it off, does the horn under it look normal?

 

[Scott CWO]

They have to scrub the horns and remove the bark as part of dip and pack process. That area typically has a lot of bark from trees. I’d take it to your taxidermy so they can paint it with their darkening oil and make a more even color.

Can you post original photo of boss and horns?

Yeah could it be tree sap??

 

[Hedge774]

Beautiful trophy. If you showed it to me, I would have thought it to just be character. However, I know that I want things how I want things as well. Anyhoo, congrats on that big boy!

 

[CBeck]

I may be alone, but I think it looks great like it is

 

[roklok]

Here is what he looked like when shot.

 

[One Day...]

I have seen this as a side effect of boiling the skull.

Kiwi Dark Brown shoe polish will do the trick, roklok


PS: I am not guessing, it is reportedly a time-tested solution and it worked perfectly on mine.

 

[roklok]

I’m stumped! Does it look like a layer of something on top of the actual horn material? If you flake it off, does the horn under it look normal?

I have not flaked a big enough piece off, afraid it is actually horn. When I did chip a tiny piece off, it looked the same underneath.

 

[Safari Dave]

My buffalo trophy was in much worse condition than yours.


I just gave a picture to my taxidermist, and he made it look exactly like I wanted it to.

(He may have even given it a little extra width. (artistic license, IDK, but I'll take it!))

 

[BJH65]

You could take it to a taxidermist to paint it or tape off the white skull and use this, take you about 20 seconds.

https://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/450124-P21177.aspx

 

[roklok]

I have seen this as a side effect of boiling the skull.

Kiwi Dark Brown shoe polish will do the trick, roklok


PS: I am not guessing, it is reportedly a time-tested solution and it worked perfectly on mine.

I will give that a try, thanks ! I will test on a small area first, but that sounds like a simple and easy solution.

 

[375Fox]

Here is what he looked like when shot.View attachment 744563View attachment 744564

Definitely not bark. I’ve never tried shoe polish but I don’t think much different than the oil the taxidermist uses.

 

[Scott CWO]

Perhaps @outwestidaho will know?

 

[samson7x]

I have seen this as a side effect of boiling the skull.

Kiwi Dark Brown shoe polish will do the trick, roklok


PS: I am not guessing, it is reportedly a time-tested solution and it worked perfectly on mine.

Is this what some taxis use? I’ve seen some work coming from Africa that has especially dark horns and wondered what they were using.

 

[Philip Glass]

I just received my buffalo skull from 2024 hunt. It actually looked better than I expected coming out of the crate. However, the horn bosses have quite a bit of discoloration. I am not sure even with close examination if the horn material itself is "bleached", or if the light colored material is remnants of salt and or dipping chemicals. I just read through Buck Wild's excellent tutorial;

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/rebuilding-the-bosses-on-a-buffalo.68113/

I did not see anything in that thread discussing this particular problem. I can try to paint or stain the light colored material and then apply melted beeswax as described, or try to remove the light colored material first which may actually be horn. I think it is bleached horn material but not certain. Anybody else experience this ? How did you address it ? If I pick at the edges of the light colored material I can get it to chip off, but it seems like horn keratin that has been compromised.

View attachment 744555

View attachment 744556

They seem to be all over boiled. I've had the same trouble

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have seen this as a side effect of boiling the skull.

Kiwi Dark Brown shoe polish will do the trick, roklok


PS: I am not guessing, it is reportedly a time-tested solution and it worked perfectly on mine.

Yes. However, I would suggest black Kiwi or some similar paste shoe polish. Not the liquid stuff. Apply with a shoe brush. Don't worry, it won't hurt the horns. I don't think this was caused by overcooking. It doesn't make sense for where the problem is located.

 

[Lance Hopper]

I like it. I’d leave it alone.

 

[buck wild]

I don’t use the wax method much for Buffalo horns as they are not usually cracked like some of the Kudo, etc.. I will use it around rebuilding the bosses that is in one of the articles that I wrote. How artistic are you?

Take some saran wrap and wrap off the skull so that you do not get anything on your white skull. Clean with a wire brush. I suggest with a little soap and water. Use your wax around the edges or whatever you’re going to do to seal your cracks along the boss edge to the skull. Typically, I build that up with some sort of epoxy or resin or Bondo or something, but if that’s too much for you, just try to get it sealed off good. Go to your art store or Hobby lobby or Amazon and order some pan pastels. They come in a small round circular container of powdered pigments. Get a couple of different colors- light grays and light browns and you can use a sponge to then apply those pan pastels onto your horns to the color you want. Then a matte clear spray sealer over the top once you achieve the color you like.

 

[Andrew62]

I may be alone, but I think it looks great like it is

I like the way it looks as is, but if you are not happy, I hope you can get it sorted so that you are happy with it!! It's a great buffalo, one to be very proud of!!