Skull Collector

So I am curious as to if anyone else on here keeps any of the bones or skull of their kills (besides bucks, which I am sure most people keep). I killed my very first doe a couple weeks back and the thought of maybe keeping the skull as a momento. I am sure that there is probably already a thread on this somewhere on here. But I am wondering how one would go about cleaning that nasty skull up to make it keepable. Any help?

I have a few deer skulls, mostly keep fox, bobcat and got a few coyote skulls. Ask wd-40 he would know a more simpler way to clean one than my method. I let it sit outside for awhile so the flesh and meat rot then soak it in bleach. I'm sure wd-40 or someone else has an easier way.

I have a bear skull.I had my taxedermist clean it,I think it was 125.00
When I was a kid if we wanted the skull for a Euro mount we would cape out the skull set it in an ant bed then soak it in bleach.My Mom stayed pretty pi$$ed about the smell.
Make sure you get the brain out of the skull and be careful around the nose.

just stick it in a ant pile, for a few days, they will clean it good and cheap, beware of the viscous squirrels they will eat the antlers. so have you 22 ready for some fun.

Originally Posted by H0TSH0T

just stick it in a ant pile, for a few days, they will clean it good and cheap, beware of the viscous squirrels they will eat the antlers. so have you 22 ready for some fun.

I have done this for varmint hunting due to the ants more active during summer, I put mine in a chicken cage and set it on top this way only the ants could get to them. I also put honey on it to help attract them. I heard salt can help break down the meat but never tried it.

I know a guy who had a little side business / hobby of collecting and selling skulls. He had several old top loading freezers and had raised colonies of beetles in them. He had such a nice colony, he would even sell the beetles as a side business to the side business.

Anyway, after picking off most of the flesh, he'd leave the skulls in the freezers for a week or so and the beetles would go to work. They would eat it clean. Then he would take them out and he would cover them up in some kind of paste he made, I think it was like baking soda and bleach but not positive. He'd work the paste in everywhere, and then wrap it all up in kitchen plastic (Saran) wrap and let it sit for a nother week or so. This would make them come out really white.

Originally Posted by analog_kidd

Anyway, after picking off most of the flesh, he'd leave the skulls in the freezers for a week or so and the beetles would go to work. They would eat it clean. Then he would take them out and he would cover them up in some kind of paste he made, I think it was like baking soda and bleach but not positive. He'd work the paste in everywhere, and then wrap it all up in kitchen plastic (Saran) wrap and let it sit for a nother week or so. This would make them come out really white.

I understand now that beetles are used in some places and are very effective. Other than beetles you can purchase what you need in a regular grocery store and beauty supply store to get the job done.

It's been awhile, but we used to remove as much flesh and brain as possible. Then put in to simmering water with Sal Soda (find in grocery store) in it, being careful not to "over cook" it. This turns the flesh to a jelly like consistancy and makes it easy to remove. Finish removing all meat then brush on hydrogen peroxide (40%..you find it at beauty supply. Be careful they don't think your building a bomb!) and leave on for 12 hrs or so to finish off.

We used this method for years and it worked very well. You may end up loosing a tooth or two but just make sure you glue them back in. I used to be a taxidermist years ago. Methods now may have changed some but this did a fine job at the time.
Here is a link to detailed directions for all methods. Skull Cleaning - Hide Tanning and Taxidermy

Ants are a little hard to come by in the winter! Put the scull in a large pot. Add water to cover the skull. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Boil for about 30 minutes. Remove from pot. Scrape away any remaining flesh (remove any remaining brain matter through the base of the skull) and return it to your pot for another 15 minute boil. Some animals will lose their lower jaw. But when it's all dried, it can be epoxied back in place. To whiten "bleach" the skull, soak in hydrogen peroxide, rinse well and allow to dry.

Originally Posted by wd-40

Ants are a little hard to come by in the winter! Put the scull in a large pot. Add water to cover the skull. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Boil for about 30 minutes. Remove from pot. Scrape away any remaining flesh (remove any remaining brain matter through the base of the skull) and return it to your pot for another 15 minute boil. Some animals will lose their lower jaw. But when it's all dried, it can be epoxied back in place. To whiten "bleach" the skull, soak in hydrogen peroxide, rinse well and allow to dry.

Ha ha I knew you had a better way of doing it than I did. I am going to try that plus boiling heads in my house will make the wife mad and thats what I live to do

Originally Posted by wd-40

Ants are a little hard to come by in the winter! Put the scull in a large pot. Add water to cover the skull. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Boil for about 30 minutes. Remove from pot. Scrape away any remaining flesh (remove any remaining brain matter through the base of the skull) and return it to your pot for another 15 minute boil. Some animals will lose their lower jaw. But when it's all dried, it can be epoxied back in place. To whiten "bleach" the skull, soak in hydrogen peroxide, rinse well and allow to dry.

When I did the ant thing I was livin in Texas.We had ants and roaches year round.Another reason I love Tennessee.