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Cleaning Skulls

No, no, this isn’t about the way I wash my hair (or lack of).  Instead, I wanted to give you readers some tips and tricks for preparing a skull for a european mount.

It's been discolored from being outside, but this skull from a winterkilled bull was cleaned up with a hot water maceration.

For an all inclusive instruction, the University of Arizona Cooperative extension has prepared a 4 page instructional sheet in .PDF Format that deals with all the various ways to turn a “bloody meathead” into a shiny,white, bright. keepsake.

Some quick hints for “Boiling” skulls:

When doing a hot water maceration, simmer don’t boil

Keep the skull off of the bottom of the pan or pot you are using.

  • Keep the antlers out of the water to avoid discoloring them.
  • Don’t use your wife, or girlfriends cooking pots.  For large skulls like a cattle or elk, a #2 washtub on a coleman stove outside is your best bet.
  • Keep an eye on the water level. 
  • Be mindful that this takes nearly a full day, and doesn’t smell all that wonderful. 
  • To add a nice white color use Hydrogen peroxide once the meat is “off the bone”
  • Glue in any loose teeth.

Keep some bouillion handy when folks ask what you are doing.  Tell'em you are making soup and I guarantee they wont stick around for dinner!

There are operations that have Dermestid beetles and do an outstanding job of cleaning a skull.  One such place is High Desert Skullworks.  Their page details the shipping procedure, prices, and services.

Posted on 31st December 2007
Under: Arizona, Off Season | 2 Comments »