Natural European Mount from Camp Pendelton

[Trigger]

I hunted Camp Pendleton Saturday in the rain. It was way to muddy to access my assigned area by four wheels so I had to hump it in. While passing through a recently burned area I saw what looked like two drop tines pointing up. As I walked closer I see a skull too. Grabbed an antler and pulled it from the ground and it was a natural European mount 3x3. I suspect the old boy was shot and ran off to this steep slope covered with heavy brush before the fire. A mountain lion either finished him off or found him, ate the choice parts and buried the skull. I'm not sure how I plan to display it and open to suggestions.

I saw a legal buck two does, went mud'n, hiked eight miles, just an awesome day.

Looking for advice on generally where to scout in McCain Valley.

 

[Trigger]

More photos

 

[Drewski2324]

Looks like a good buck, and a fun hunt!

 

[TaftHunter]

Cool buck. I like the bladed G2's

 

[TaftHunter]

Btw I found a dead head like that too one time, but the nose was broke off, looked like lion kill I did a little stain on the horns

 

[TaftHunter]

Btw I found a dead head like that too one time, but the nose was broke off, looked like lion kill I did a little stain on the horns

Massive fork lol

 

[Shmee22]

Sweet man!

 

[El Matavenados]

Back in 2000, I found a dead head in the Hotel training area. I started seeing bones, and followed the trail to the head. It was a nice 2x3 with eyeguards, not as tall as yours. It had become tangled in the communications wire that was strung all over the area. You could tell it had struggled for a long time, because the wire was wrapped around the antlers until it was like a bird's nest. I figure it probably struggled until it was too weak to do so (couple days?), and either expired or was attacked by predators. I believe the predators did get to it, as evidenced by the bones being spread out over 100 yards.