Dwarf - Forest Buffalo Horn Removal

Sarg

AH elite
Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
1,109
Reaction score
2,583
Media
74
Hunted
New Zealand - Australia - Sumatra - Kenya - Zimbabwe - Namibia - South Africa - Botswana - Alaska - Nevada - Hokkaido - Greenland - New Caledonia
Just thought Id see if any one on the forum knows if Forest / Dwarf Buffalo horns can be removed from the skull when preparing or cleaning the skull ?

I'm hoping not like Cape Buff, Wildebeest & Muskox ?
 
Almost any horn can be removed including all those you mentioned and a few others. The question is, are you willing to go through all the extra effort and time/money to do so.

What is your biggest concern if they don't easily slip off?
 
That's correct, you can get them all removed, with more or less effort. Whether you should do it or not is controversially discussed among the taxidermist. I prefer it because there is a lot of organic material left behind in the depths. I had no problems with it so far, except by some trophies a light smell at first, but the majority of the trophies of my horn bearers had their horns removed.
 
Thanks guys, well normally those tricky ones are left on & different people have different ways to preserve (eg stop smelling/rot) them such as drilling holes or just straight injecting formalin or such ?

I was hoping (if I get one) to clean up my own heads as I normally do but I don't have a lot of time & was hoping these horns may come off, other wise I need another plan, like splitting from the back ?
 
We remove similar bison horns by simmering the skull for several hours. Keep the horns out of the soup and cover the pot with a hood of tinfoil to steam the top of the skull. It takes a while. At least an all day project. I seem to recall we consumed 2.5 five gallon tanks of propane.

So you're planning to do this before you leave Africa? I presume you've done it before.
 
lol yes I have don't this a lot & boiled out hundreds of heads in my work & off time, even skinned out my own Muskox in Greenland, prepared all my animals in Alaska & much more.

I think you boiled your Bison too long, 10-15min or so of the horns in the boiling water & bump off, the cores should still be pink, then turn over with the nose out of the water, simmer a few hours, tip nose in for a while, remove & power wash if available, keep skull damp, then peroxide.

Oh to add, I remove as much meat as possible before boiling, including jaw, tongue & eyes so the skulls are in the heat/hot water the least amount of time .
 
Last edited:
lol yes I have don't this a lot & boiled out hundreds of heads in my work & off time, even skinned out my own Muskox in Greenland, prepared all my animals in Alaska & much more.

I think you boiled your Bison too long, 10-15min or so of the horns in the boiling water & bump off, the cores should still be pink, then turn over with the nose out of the water, simmer a few hours, tip nose in for a while, remove & power wash if available, keep skull damp, then peroxide.

Oh to add, I remove as much meat as possible before boiling, including jaw, tongue & eyes so the skulls are in the heat/hot water the least amount of time .
The bison was only a yearling raised on a farm and slaughtered. Because the horns were not mature, I think that greatly complicated removing them. The bases were essentially part of the core. I was surprised how stubborn they were to remove. Pronghorn or mountain goat horns pop off much more easily. We have a pair of young longhorn steer skull caps that are similarly stubborn.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
59,009
Messages
1,275,703
Members
106,546
Latest member
SterlingCa
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

This is the African safari deal you’ve been waiting for!

Trophy Kudu Bull + Trophy Gemsbuck - ONLY $1,800 for BOTH!

Available for the 2025 & 2026 seasons
Elite Hunting Outfitters – Authentic, world-class safaris
Limited spots available – Act now!



Make your African hunting dream a reality! Contact us today before this deal is gone!
Updated Available dates for this season,

9-25 June
25-31 July
September and October is wide open,

Remember I will be in the USA for the next 16 days , will post my USA phone number when I can get one in Atlanta this afternoon!
I am on my way to the USA! will be in Atlanta tonight! loving the Wifi On the Delta flights!
Get it right the 1st time - choose the Leopard specialists!
Finally! Been a month now, retired to Western Cape, SA! Living my best life!
 
Top