head.

Elk antlers will need 5/16 inch bolts, while 1/4 inch is sufficient for
most deer antlers; indeed screws of that diameter will hold a small pair
quite securely.

Sometimes the upper part of the skull is scraped, bleached and fastened
entire to the shield with brass screws or bolts.

The base block for large deer antlers should be thicker and larger in
proportion. Elk and moose antlers requiring to be fastened with heavy
coach or lag-screws to a block cut from two-inch plank.

Africa has a profusion of horned game mostly of the antelope family and
of late years many of these horns find their way to the walls in this
country.

They are mounted as directed for the deer with the exception that many
of them are improved by polishing the tips or even nearly the entire
length of the horns. As most of them are corrugated or twisted in great
variety this calls for considerable preliminary work with half round and
round rasps and files before sandpaper, glass and polishing powders give
a finish. If the tips and the higher surfaces of the balance are
completely polished, the rest smoothed down somewhat and the entire
horns rubbed with a little oil the effect will be good.

[Illustration: A Good Shield Pattern]

[Illustration: Back of block]

Shields are made in various patterns, woods and sizes, the average pair
of deer antlers requiring one 7/8 inch thick and about 8x10 or 10x12
inches. Oak in a dull oil finish always looks well, though walnut,
cherry, ash and birch are much used. If near a woodworking shop provided
with a jigsaw and moulder they will turn them out in any pattern you
may wish. The Ogee moulded edge is to be preferred.

If you have to make it yourself, a simple diamond, square or oval panel
with rounded or beveled edge will be sufficiently difficult.

Arrange the antlers in place on the shield and mark lightly around the
base, remove them and drill three holes for screws. Countersink for the
heads on the back of the shield and so fasten the antlers in place. For
light horns a brass screw-eye at the top of shield is used to hang them,
but heavy moose and elk antlers require an iron plate in back of shield,
let in flush across the top of a perpendicular groove to catch a hook or
head of a heavy nail in the wall.

[Illustration: DEER ANTLERS; ELK FEET; BISON HORNS.]

If the antlers are to be used as a rack for hats, guns or rods, two
screw-eyes or plates will be necessary to prevent turning.

T