Maceration European Mount

[adamR]

I am about to do the maceration process on my muzzie buck and got to thinking about measurements.

Does setting a skull in water for a long period of time affect the measurements of both the skull size and the width of antlers?  I assume that a skull can become somewhat soft after being in there for so long.  Can the width get wider or have shrinkage?

[sirmissalot]

I would say any change would be minimal. I mean I guess it could change the width a little bit. Does your buck made the record books and you are worried about disqualification?

The bones do soften up a little, but not much and it all dries up pretty tight. When its all degresed properly there is a small amount of play in the antlers where the separate plates in the skull meet, but its really minimal especially after it dries for a few days or more. Usually you will degrease the skull for longer and at warmer water temp than the maceration process.

[boneaddict]

I believe it has much of a less impact than boiling.   

[adamR]

Thanks I was just curious.  And by no means does my buck come anywhere close to records I was just thinking ahead 

[sirmissalot]

I did my elk from this year in just over two weeks, it really doesn't take long. Like I said the degreasing takes quite a bit longer