How to do a European Mount. . . Maceration.

[smurfer643]

What do the ants do that the beetles don't that makes it safe?

[Michelle_Nelson]

It's not the ant's that are bad for the skull.  It's the minerals in the dirt that can and will discolor the skull.  It;s the dogs, cats, coons, possum, etc that will drag away or chew the skull up while it is in that ant mound.

[smurfer643]

That makes sense. Didn't think of it in those terms. Very helpful, thank you Michelle

[buck470]

Michelle, Hows the progress on the skull you were working on?
I've been watching and hoping you would continue to post the rest of the process.

Thanks Mike

[Michelle_Nelson]

I need to go through the pictures I have taken.  So far the skull is in the Dawn Degreaser.  I'll get it updated in a couple days I hope. 

[WACATHUNTER]

Curious how it turned out michelle???  I have two in the buckets right now and it seems like it is taking a while, definitly some progress though.  Patience!!! THanks for the tutorial.
WACAT

[Michelle_Nelson]

WACATHUNTER how long have they been in the bucket and do you have a fish tank heater in the bucket with them?  What is the temp on the heater set at?  Temp is important that is why I always put a thermometer in the bucket.

I just need to get out their and take pic's. 

[WACATHUNTER]

Probably six weeks since I put the heaters in.  It is set at the Highest temp which is 92 degrees.  Something ios working becuase there is a potent smell and most the meat has fallen off.  I'll put a thermo in tonight. 
WACAT

[Michelle_Nelson]

If it is at 92 degrees that is perfect.  Even 80 degrees will work.  your skull should have been done a few weeks ago.  i have it done where I can have a skull done in 2 weeks.

Have you been dumping 1/4 the water out every week to 10 days and adding fresh water?

Have you been pulling the skull out and pulling the meat off?  Let the nasal cartlage pretty much fall out.  If it breaks off it will be a pain in the butt to get out later.

[WACATHUNTER]

I have changed the water once, probably should do it a bit more frequent.  Yes I have been pulling the meat off here and there.  Do you have a big evaporation issue??? I finally covered it in Black plastic because I was having to put water in everyday. 
Thanks again,
WACAT

[Michelle_Nelson]

Yep got to keep water in it!

Do not empty out all the water.  Only 1/4 of the water at most.  Bacteria is like any other living organizm.  It needs a healthy environment to live in, in order to do their job.  Bacteria eat, poop, and die like anything else.  How well would you work having to live and swim amoung dead bodies and poop? 

I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head but if you don't freshen the water reguler your bacteria will get sick.  A scum forming on the top of the water is a good sign of it.  Once you get it it's hard to get rid of it.  Nasty stuff. 

[WACATHUNTER]

Changed out 2/3 of the water last night, one seems to be working great the other bucket not so well.  It has that unnamed stuff that leaves a film on top of the water. 
WACAT

[Michelle_Nelson]

If it is not working that I would suggest pulling that skull out of the bucket.  Wash the bucket and heater with some chlorox cleanup and rinse it REALLY REALLY WELL!  Than mix up a bucket of soapy dawn water.  Put the skull in that and let it set for a few hours.

Than fill the bucket up with fresh water.  Rinse the skull really really well again and get all the soap off.  Put the skull and tank heater back in the bucket and fill with fresh water.  Than add some fresh meat in the bucket. 3 golf ball size pieces ought to do.  The meat and blood in the meat will activate the bacteria again.

I believe the virus that the bacteria contract is called "Phlage" or something close.

[Kanooper]

Have you finished this European yet?  Curious to see what you do after degreasing.  Lets get an update!

[TeacherMan]

Thanks for the info, I have always boiled and I like the idea of soaking. I can only imagine the smell. I use to make a fish sludge when you could bear bait. Take a 5 gallon bucket and lid and go bow hunting for carp and bring them home and fill the buckets up 3/4 full with cut up pieces of the carp, put on the lid and let it sit out in the sun for about 10 days  You can only imagine the smell. Great bear bait. Any way this post reminded me of that.

Thanks again for the info...