Messed up turning ears

Peebles · #1 11-23-2017, 07:49 PM

I decided to try my own shoulder mount on this year's whitetail. I don't have ear pliers but I'll get some before my next try. I got one ear done okay, but I missed the other had some battle damage from sparring. I caught that hole in the skin and made it worse.

The ear is kind of shredded now and can't be fully turned without making it worse. What are my options? Is salvage possible and how do I go about it? Or should I just change to a euro mount before I saw off his antlers?

Battle Rat · #2 11-23-2017, 08:53 PM

Hard to say without seeing it.
I've stitched up some nasty torn up ears before with a small needle and thin thread.
You good go slow and carefully with a small knife and finish.
You don't need to remove the cartilage completely.
It can stay attached to the inside of the ear if you are doing the bondo method.

Peebles · #3 11-23-2017, 10:49 PM

There is this hole on the front of the ear, and then on the back you can see I went through with the Havalon trying to correct my mistake. Now if I try to turn it fully I know it will tear.

There's so much hair and the ear is a funny shape it can be hard to see, but I hope these pics are clear enough. Thanks.

elkhunter1234 · #4 11-23-2017, 11:08 PM

That’s an easy fix, tan it up and sew it after tanned. I had a guy bring me an antelope once that one ear was in 4 pieces after he decide he wanted to try turning his own ears..

Jim..

Battle Rat · #5 11-24-2017, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

That’s an easy fix, tan it up and sew it after tanned. I had a guy bring me an antelope once that one ear was in 4 pieces after he decide he wanted to try turning his own ears..

Jim..

I agree.
Also most of the stitching will be on the backside out of view.
Peebles, next doe or small buck you can get your hands on you can practice on it.
Be careful if you do get the ear pliers or ear openers.
You can easily use too much pressure with them and cause a rip too.

Peebles · #6 11-24-2017, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I'll keep going. I saw a deer last year that made me decide to learn this myself on the next deer I got, so this is my practice buck - 142" gross. I'm enjoying the process enough so far, so I'll try again until I'm handy at it.