Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 19, 2012, 09:39:42 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi164.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu7%2Fsnowboardernitro%2FFE8E7DFA-3DC1-4144-BB28-4886CE5E27B4-7427-0000020CE69FD3BA.jpg&hash=e887c02ca68289ff0c46981f80bb1d506d636bc3)
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Post by: aer212 on August 19, 2012, 10:04:55 AM
Post by: bugs n bones on August 19, 2012, 10:08:03 AM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 19, 2012, 10:13:12 AM
Hatchetjack - Out of curiosity, what technique do you use? This was my first try at cleaning up a skull. Would like to know how I could do better if I ever end up getting a bull or big deer.
Post by: bugs n bones on August 19, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 19, 2012, 10:20:35 AM
Post by: bugs n bones on August 19, 2012, 10:22:57 AM
Post by: bucklucky on August 19, 2012, 10:24:04 AM
Post by: Jordanskylery on August 20, 2012, 08:36:55 AM
I boiled for several hours to clean it up before the bleaching process but found it made the bone very brittle.
If you boil is it better to do it at very low temps or not good to do at all?
I've heard of the beetles too what is the degreasing tank all about?
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 20, 2012, 08:47:40 AM
I was curious about this process too. I got my first deer last year and butchered, skinned, tanned the hide and tried to boil and bleach the skull.
I boiled for several hours to clean it up before the bleaching process but found it made the bone very brittle.
If you boil is it better to do it at very low temps or not good to do at all?
I've heard of the beetles too what is the degreasing tank all about?
Anyway if you want to boil, you really want to simmer. I don't know why they use the word boil actually lol. If you boil too hot the skull can fall apart and teeth can crack. I just cooked it with a good simmer, not a rolling boil. What did you use to bleach? Don't actually use bleach, it too will make the bone brittle. Use peroxide instead.
Funny how they use the terms boil and bleach when in fact you shouldn't boil or bleach... :o
FYI - I am no expert on the matter.
Post by: bucklucky on August 20, 2012, 08:59:28 AM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 20, 2012, 09:06:32 AM
Maceration IS NOT BOILING ! Its using bacteria in warm water ( 90 degrees works well) to eat the meat off of the skull. Usually takes a week to clean a skull. When you pull it out it will be nice and clean and the nice thing is the degreasing process has already started. Simmering / Boiling is not a good way to clean skulls. It never will unless you dont care about quality .
My bad I will edit the post, I must have been confused.
I guess it all depends on what you want for quality though. I am personally pretty pleased with the results I had, pleased enough that I will for sure do it again. But look into a degrease process as well. I had a few spots show some minor darkening but that's about it.
Being on a budget and a DIY kind of a person I am a happy camper. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :tup:
Post by: Jordanskylery on August 20, 2012, 09:08:44 AM
From what I have heard, using fly larva, or warm water with bacteria is the way to go.
What do you use as far as bacteria goes for the warm water? Any good methods of warm water without having to cook it in the house? Also what is degreasing all about?
Last year I used a turkey fryer thing on low but it still got too hot and boiled. Never heard of a degreasing stage....
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 20, 2012, 09:13:40 AM
I made both those mistakes my first year and only have a poor remnants of my skull due to that. I boiled to hot and used too high concentration of bleach to water.
From what I have heard, using fly larva, or warm water with bacteria is the way to go.
What do you use as far as bacteria goes for the warm water? Any good methods of warm water without having to cook it in the house? Also what is degreasing all about?
Last year I used a turkey fryer thing on low but it still got too hot and boiled. Never heard of a degreasing stage....
I read about people using fish tank heaters to keep the water in the 80's or 90's for good bacteria production. As far as degreasing is concerned I have no experience, better ask the guys above on that one. Ive heard of people using tons of different kinds of chemicals and soaps.
When I cooked my skull I just kept a close eye on it and never let it go above a simmer.
Post by: bucklucky on August 20, 2012, 09:55:48 AM
I dont know if you read through this thread but its a good one on macerating skulls. The only dofferance in a Macerated skull versus a beetle cleaned skull is one uses beetles to clean , the other uses maceration. The degreasing and whitening process is the same.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=16008.msg181209#msg181209 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=16008.msg181209#msg181209)
There is also alot of info on Taxidermy.net on skull cleaning / degreasing.
Post by: deaner on August 22, 2012, 11:36:49 AM
Did my first skull job this last week. I boiled it, then soaked in hydrogen peroxide for about 36 hours.
im assuming the teeth fell out when you boiled it? what type of glue did you use to put them back in?
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 22, 2012, 12:37:06 PM
Did my first skull job this last week. I boiled it, then soaked in hydrogen peroxide for about 36 hours.
im assuming the teeth fell out when you boiled it? what type of glue did you use to put them back in?
Yup the lower jaw lost most of the teeth, but the upper only lost one. I just put a small drop of super glue in each cavity, then stuck the teeth right in there. Did the trick! :hello:
Post by: Hunter Dug on August 22, 2012, 12:54:39 PM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 22, 2012, 01:06:36 PM
But you know what if you like it and you are satisfied. Good for you. Thats all that matters.
Exactly. I know what they end up looking like after the fats yellow, doesn't bother me just looks more natural. My dad has 10 or so deer heads he has done this way, a coyote skull, a few elk, a racoon, and a few others lol. I know exactly how they end up looking.
I must say though, of all of them, the elk ones look the most yellow. Probably due to the thick bone.
Post by: sirmissalot on August 22, 2012, 01:32:13 PM
I know it may seem like some are jumping on you for boiling and not degreasing, but they are just trying to help. It's not too late to degrease the skull and as long as you didn't get it too hot while cleaning it you should be ok and still have a great looking skull for years and years. I use a 6 quart crock pot on the keep warm setting to degrease small skulls, it keeps it at just the right temp and cost me about $30. Drop the skull in with some hot water and dawn dish soap, enough to make the water soapy like doing dishes, then just keep an eye on the water level and add water as needed. Change the water out every few days until it stays clear, should take a month or three but your skulls will whiten a lot brighter white afterwards and stay looking great.