Posted: 12/10/2008 8:47:54 AM EDT
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I have never done one before, but I would assume the first step is to skin it down. After that do I need some kind of acid or do I just boil all the meat and brains off?
TIA. 
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That's one way, but I was hoping to go cheaper and I don't need the mounting plackard. If it was a nicer rack I would spend the money to do a shoulder mount. Thanks, Jeff ETA; Here is what I was looking for...sounds like big fun for the wife. Link 
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Quoted:
That's one way, but I was hoping to go cheaper and I don't need the mounting plackard. If it was a nicer rack I would spend the money to do a shoulder mount. Thanks, Jeff ETA; Here is what I was looking for...sounds like big fun for the wife. Link
I have done a bunch of these thru the years. I use a turkey fryer burner and a deep pot. You'll want your pot deep enough so the end of the skull does not touch the bottom. If you can get some soda ash and substitute it for the detergent it will work better. Also I wouldn't recommend using a pressure washer. I have found just put it in the pot and bring the water temp up till it just starts to boil and back it down till it just bubbles every now and then. Let it cook in the pot for atleast 5hrs. I would check the water level every 30 minutes or so. Then it should come off fairly easy and you can use a waterhose to remove the brains. If you are pulling it out every hour is not going to help! The first couple I did I was pulling it out every hour and I finally learned its better to just let it cook. Also after your done removing the meat put the peroxide paste on the skull, take some plain white paper towels and wrap the skull ( do not rinse off the paste) then apply some more paste. Take and wrap it tightly in a black trash bag and tape it up tightly really good. Let it sit for 2 weeks and and then remove and wash. |
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i got one easier..
chemical.. go chemical. strip the meat and tissue away as much as possible. find a plastic container that is roughly the size of the skull. get some 30% H202 ( hydrogen peroxide) from a beauty supply house. do not get it on the antlers. change the peroxide 2-3 times the first day. the 2nd day add some biz bleach to the H202 ( not necessary, just an option). then on the 2nd or 3rd day, set the skull in bright sunlight. it will be a work of art. never underestimate h202. |
Awsome fellas, thanks for all the replies. 
It was starting to get kind of funky smelling so I put it in the freezer, and maybe I can work on it this weekend. When it's done I will try to post a pic, and give a report on the steps that I used. I could also use a little warm up in the weather since the water hose will be involved. |
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There is a guy in the small game and trapping forum who owns beetles that eat the flesh off the skull then he bleaches the skull and seals it. His screen name is rizzo1318, shoot him an IM.
ETA Rizzo's handywork |
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Quoted:
Anyone have some pics? Do you tape off the base of the antlers? I tape them. I've been making skull mounts for years for my friends. My 8 y/o boy wants to start a skull collection of every species he can find. we play around with lots of stuff, since i own my laboratory. everyday is a science fair. we months now we have been trying to replicate "POOOF, God makes a Chicken..." |
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My way is pretty cheap but it takes some time. Starts with skinning and taking off as much meat as you can, eyes, lower jaw everything you can get off the bone take it off now, I use a dull knife, a sharp knife, screw drivers, pliers, steel brush, and a flexable paint scraper. Get a big pot of water and Dawn dish soap boiling on a turkey fryer, make sure there is enough water to cover the skull water on the antler bases right now isnt a big deal. Cook the skull for 15 or so minutes after the water starts to boil. Clean as much off again as you can, stick a screw driver in and scramble the brain you can drill another hole in the skull to help get brain matter out. I scramble the sinus also and break the inner nose bones, thats the much work for me to keep them nice and get the crap out of there. Boil it and clean meat off 3 or 4 times.
Once you have as much off as you can get some Hydorgen Peroxide, I used the cheap stuff from Walmart, 98 cents for 32 oz, I bought $10 worth, get enough to fill your pot. Before you start boiling the skull in the H2o2 I wrapped the antlers in aluminum foil and taped the bases of the antlers off. Get the h2o2 boiling and cook and clean the skull until it is clean of fat and meat. Once you are to the point of a clean skull, boil the skull for half an hour then shut the heat off and let the skull sit in there for a few minutes, take it out and wash it in soap and water again. If there is anything left meat/fat wise I pack the skull with Borax to dry everything out. Here is my 9 point Whitetail and an Antelope for my uncle. The antelope was left with the hide on it for a year or so and the skull got stained, couldnt get it out. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/SKULLMOUNT.jpg I think total except for the propane I have $14 into it. I am going to get a chunk of barn wood and some old rusty barb wire to mount it on. |
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Quoted:
My way is pretty cheap but it takes some time. Starts with skinning and taking off as much meat as you can, eyes, lower jaw everything you can get off the bone take it off now, I use a dull knife, a sharp knife, screw drivers, pliers, steel brush, and a flexable paint scraper. Get a big pot of water and Dawn dish soap boiling on a turkey fryer, make sure there is enough water to cover the skull water on the antler bases right now isnt a big deal. Cook the skull for 15 or so minutes after the water starts to boil. Clean as much off again as you can, stick a screw driver in and scramble the brain you can drill another hole in the skull to help get brain matter out. I scramble the sinus also and break the inner nose bones, thats the much work for me to keep them nice and get the crap out of there. Boil it and clean meat off 3 or 4 times. Once you have as much off as you can get some Hydorgen Peroxide, I used the cheap stuff from Walmart, 98 cents for 32 oz, I bought $10 worth, get enough to fill your pot. Before you start boiling the skull in the H2o2 I wrapped the antlers in aluminum foil and taped the bases of the antlers off. Get the h2o2 boiling and cook and clean the skull until it is clean of fat and meat. Once you are to the point of a clean skull, boil the skull for half an hour then shut the heat off and let the skull sit in there for a few minutes, take it out and wash it in soap and water again. If there is anything left meat/fat wise I pack the skull with Borax to dry everything out. Here is my 9 point Whitetail and an Antelope for my uncle. The antelope was left with the hide on it for a year or so and the skull got stained, couldnt get it out. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/SKULLMOUNT.jpg I think total except for the propane I have $14 into it. I am going to get a chunk of barn wood and some old rusty barb wire to mount it on. Very nice looking job. That's a nice rack, what area of our great state you get him? |
| Didnt realize you were in MI. I shot him in the west end of the U.P., one shot with the 6.8 SPC and he was down within 60 yards of where I shot him. I dont know where you are in MI but there is a guy in west branch with bettles, he charges like $85 to do it. But in reality if you have a couple of afternoons you can do it with some work. |