Cleaning deer skull
- Thread starter DH Driver
- Start date
I'm an ant fan. Simply find a decent sized hill, wrap the antlers in tin foil (or anything to keep the sun off) and tie it down. I usually like to remove a couple of shovels full of ants and hill, put in the skull, and put the ants back on. Do this at the start of summer (say in June) and by August you will have everything gone. It may be hard to find, since the ants will have repaired and rebuilt the nest around it, but, dig it out and you will be amazed!
You can also put the skull into a garbage can or something similar, cover with water up to the base of the antlers...and then do nothing. Just let it rot. Not exactly a method well suited to an apartment dweller 
, but if you have a location that allows you to do this it is super easy and doesn't damage even the most delicate nasal bones. Change the water every week or so, at which time you can gently rinse off loose globs of tissue and check your progress. Unless you do this at the height of summer, you can speed up the process by using an aquarium heater to keep the water temperature up over 25C. When its done, a few soaks in warm water and dish soap will get out remaining grease.
Peroxide is for whitening the skull...it doesn't do much in the way of removing tissue or cleaning the bone. Don't use bleach. It erodes and weakens the bone. Peroxide and/or sunlight do a safe job of whitening. If the antlers are faded or discoloured due to sun or immersion in water, they can be restored with wood stain, applied in thin coats and rubbed off to get the natural look. A couple coats of Varathane finish the antlers (not the skull!) off nicely. I also like to mix up a thin "paint" of white wood glue and water, and put several coats on the whole skull. It protects and strengthens the bone. Loose teeth are easy to glue back in.
Good luck. This is a cool project, and the finished mount will mean a lot more to you than something you paid a taxidermist to do.
, but if you have a location that allows you to do this it is super easy and doesn't damage even the most delicate nasal bones. Change the water every week or so, at which time you can gently rinse off loose globs of tissue and check your progress. Unless you do this at the height of summer, you can speed up the process by using an aquarium heater to keep the water temperature up over 25C. When its done, a few soaks in warm water and dish soap will get out remaining grease.Peroxide is for whitening the skull...it doesn't do much in the way of removing tissue or cleaning the bone. Don't use bleach. It erodes and weakens the bone. Peroxide and/or sunlight do a safe job of whitening. If the antlers are faded or discoloured due to sun or immersion in water, they can be restored with wood stain, applied in thin coats and rubbed off to get the natural look. A couple coats of Varathane finish the antlers (not the skull!) off nicely. I also like to mix up a thin "paint" of white wood glue and water, and put several coats on the whole skull. It protects and strengthens the bone. Loose teeth are easy to glue back in.
Good luck. This is a cool project, and the finished mount will mean a lot more to you than something you paid a taxidermist to do.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Gillett's Lye , mix up a solution in a bucket ..., soak the skull.
Home Hardware was where I got the last container.
Home Hardware was where I got the last container.
