Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: adamR on October 14, 2012, 08:21:33 AM

Title: Maceration European Mount
Post by: adamR on October 14, 2012, 08:21:33 AM: 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?
Title: Re: Maceration European Mount
Post by: sirmissalot on October 15, 2012, 02:36:45 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Maceration European Mount
Post by: boneaddict on October 15, 2012, 03:00:36 PM: I believe it has much of a less impact than boiling.
Title: Re: Maceration European Mount
Post by: adamR on October 15, 2012, 03:25:47 PM: Thanks I was just curious. And by no means does my buck come anywhere close to records I was just thinking ahead ;)
Title: Re: Maceration European Mount
Post by: sirmissalot on October 16, 2012, 10:45:08 AM: 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