Maceration of my 2017 bear skull, week by week

[ghosthunter]

Well finally remember my 2017 bear skull in freezer. Watched some videos on the process and tried with a spike bull skull some years ago with ok success.

Bucket and water nothing else. Here it goes for better or worse.

[ghosthunter]

First day

[Bango skank]

Nothing but a bucket and water?  How long does that take?  It doesnt soften the bone and screw it up?  I have a bobcat skull in the freezer, thinking of just burying it in the ground and letting bugs clean it for me.

[ghosthunter]

Nothing but a bucket and water?  How long does that take?  It doesnt soften the bone and screw it up?  I have a bobcat skull in the freezer, thinking of just burying it in the ground and letting bugs clean it for me.

According to the video four to six weeks, changing water every week and hosing off skull. 

[chukar hunter]

Ghosthunter.

I do all of my skulls every year and a handful of my buddies.  By yourself a cheap fishtank heater.  If you want to speed up the process, put a heat lamp next to it(but it's harder to regulate the temp and can get too hot).  I've had skulls be fully clean in 7 days or less.  When changing out the water, leave 1/3-1/4 of the existing water in the tub so that the bacteria growth/re-colonization is quicker. 

Only issue I've ever had was degreasing and some minor antler discoloration on an extremely dark horned roasie.  I was told to do the same process, but add borax to the water.  You shouldn't have this issue as no antlers, but Kerosene also works. 

Lastly, hope you've got a strong stomach and resistance to terrible smells.  Process sure works great, but STANKY!  Maybe a reason you should add heat to shorten the process and avoid the negatives of this process...smalls attract things you don't want messing with your skull or an angry wife/girlfriend....  good luck.

[7mmfan]

Ghosthunter.

I do all of my skulls every year and a handful of my buddies.  By yourself a cheap fishtank heater.  If you want to speed up the process, put a heat lamp next to it(but it's harder to regulate the temp and can get too hot).  I've had skulls be fully clean in 7 days or less.  When changing out the water, leave 1/3-1/4 of the existing water in the tub so that the bacteria growth/re-colonization is quicker. 

Only issue I've ever had was degreasing and some minor antler discoloration on an extremely dark horned roasie.  I was told to do the same process, but add borax to the water.  You shouldn't have this issue as no antlers, but Kerosene also works. 

Lastly, hope you've got a strong stomach and resistance to terrible smells.  Process sure works great, but STANKY!  Maybe a reason you should add heat to shorten the process and avoid the negatives of this process...smalls attract things you don't want messing with your skull or an angry wife/girlfriend....  good luck.

   I started one and had to bail because it was so bad. Busted out the crab cooker, cooked it down over a few hours with a bunch of oxi clean, good to go. I do think the maceration technique is the next best for the bone after beetles, but I just can't have that thing stewing in my backyard that long.

[boneaddict]

....I can smell that thing from here 
Goodluck

[n_mathews13]

Tough to beat putting in the ground, as far as effort goes

[Pathfinder101]

Did a deer and a bear this way a few years ago.  Went through two fish tank heaters.  Process took almost two months (because of the burnt out tank heater, it was Nov/Dec and the thing froze over and I lost a week).  My shed was un-enter-able most of the time. 
Bone came out beautifully clean, but wasn't worth it. 
I went back to boiling.  Done and clean in a day and ready for degreasing.  If I were doing it as a business, this turns out the best museum-quality bone (as good as beetles).  I don't need museum quality.  Not bad enough to put up with the smell for a month...

Good luck 

[ghosthunter]

I read a couple things about the heat. Seemed they said it caused the nasal passages to crack or split. 

For me and my busy life. This method fits. The stink wont bother me too much. I have cleaned a few grease traps at work in my life.

My biggest issue is finding a place to dump the water in a hole where the dogs wont dig it up.

[7mmfan]

I read a couple things about the heat. Seemed they said it caused the nasal passages to crack or split. 

For me and my busy life. This method fits. The stink wont bother me too much. I have cleaned a few grease traps at work in my life.

My biggest issue is finding a place to dump the water in a hole where the dogs wont dig it up.

Do you have a footing drain for your house that leads to the storm drain? That's where mine go.

[Dhoey07]

I did a whitetail a few years back and don't remember it being too stinky.  Just get everything off that you can, when you can.  Any meat, eyes, brains, cartlidge, etc.  I used a dental pick to remove a lot and that really helped.  Turned out fantastic 

[ghosthunter]

I read a couple things about the heat. Seemed they said it caused the nasal passages to crack or split. 

For me and my busy life. This method fits. The stink wont bother me too much. I have cleaned a few grease traps at work in my life.

My biggest issue is finding a place to dump the water in a hole where the dogs wont dig it up.

Do you have a footing drain for your house that leads to the storm drain? That's where mine go.

No ,But I do have a city sewer lid in the ally

[7mmfan]

I read a couple things about the heat. Seemed they said it caused the nasal passages to crack or split. 

For me and my busy life. This method fits. The stink wont bother me too much. I have cleaned a few grease traps at work in my life.

My biggest issue is finding a place to dump the water in a hole where the dogs wont dig it up.

Do you have a footing drain for your house that leads to the storm drain? That's where mine go.

No ,But I do have a city sewer lid in the ally

 

[Brushcrawler]

I’ve done a half dozen of these now using this method. If you are patient, it really works well! Good luck with the neighbors though.