In the words of the late, GREAT Johnny Kingdom of Exmoor – “What do you want prettier than that ?”
Earlier today – Tuesday, 14th May 2019, ‘Tip’ an Exmoor Stag – was feelin’ the Sun on his ole bones again——because after two-and-half years mounted on a large nail on my wall indoors – he desperately needed to go outside for some gentle dusting. 
‘Tip’ was a special gift from a special friend I call the ‘Squire’ – recovered from his land on Exmoor. ‘Tip’ was resurrected from a bog – with just the tip of one of his antlers showing, hence his name ‘Tip’. 
The ‘Squire’ kindly offered to chemically bleach the head for me – but I literally screamed back at him via email “NO! – DON’T TOUCH IT!”, hence that is why ‘Tip’ has cured to a most beautiful golden hue – almost looks like old parchment.
Shed Hunting folks call these old skulls ‘Dead Heads’ but to me ‘Tip’ is metaphorically very much alive still——because he emanates a feeling of overwhelming peace into my room. Seems a strange statement I know – especially if one dwells on the desperate struggle that poor ‘Tip’ must have suffered before he surrendered to that dark, suffocating mud – but perhaps it’s because of it? Put it this way – ‘Tip’ feels very different to my collection of Sheds that literally spark every time I touch one – like electricity shooting up my veins – to my head, reminding me of where and when I found each one ——there’s nothing like finding a fresh Shed.
Stateside – Shed Hunters call ‘Sheds’ ‘White Gold’. Some look for sheds just for fun – with the promise of finding a prize, even two, may be three and counting…
Whilst for others, shed hunting ultimately leads to the stag or ‘buck’ itself. Sheds are a way of tracking an animal – through the seasons——the years – to ultimately kill it as a trophy; a big, mature stag with impressive headgear is what the serious shed hunter keeps in his – or her sight. But if Nature takes the animal first – it’s termed as a ‘Dead Head’.
As a Shed Hunter who goes after sheds for fun only – I don’t get why anyone would want to kill the magnificent, beneficent creatures that leave these wondrous creations for us to find. Although, as one who sees beauty in the earthly remains of an animal that I know met a horrible, unnatural end – I’m self-aware that I’m a bit of a contradiction in terms!
‘Tip’ IS unique – in as much as he was a gift – and he’s my only pair – all my other Red Deer antlers are single sheds found by myself – five to date. Nothing was harmed in the pursuit of these amazing sheds – apart from a couple of blood-thirsty ticks – which are par for the course if you venture where the Wild Deer roam.
Spells ‘SHEDS’ to those in the know.
Anyway, to the task in hand; dusting——a pleasure and a joy today——only.
In reality turned out to be more of an exercise in standing back – or zooming in – to marvel at all the amazing intricacies that the sunlight revealed. A quick flick over the antlers with a sheep’s wool duster – and an artist’s brush for the ‘Gold’ and sutures sufficed; job done.
I decided to leave the inner web be —— it does no harm.
Some good tips on ‘finding antlers’ from Johnny…
http://www.johnnykingdom.co.uk/blog/finding-antlers/
Some good dusting vibes from:
‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet.
“Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You’ve got the power to know
You’re indestructable
Always believe in
‘Cause you are gold (gold)….”