Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Skull maceration

If you only have a garage, I'd start boiling that sucker immediately. No way I would macerate in my garage, its really bad.

Yup, it was even worse in the utility sink down the basement. It's a good thing that she likes me. Worse was boiling deer heads on the stove before she got home and before I bought a hot plate for outside boiling. She wasn't quite as nose blind as I was when she walked in the door. Wasn't real happy about me using her soup kettle either.

Windfall, you keep that up and another skull is going to be joining that one in the pot.....

Kurt, I’m shifting gears here. Tried the fish tank heater, didn’t work to well for me. stopped by tractor supply tonight, gonna give this a whirl. Supposed to get to 100 degrees so we’ll see.

Jud, the buck i killed in SD came out perfect in 10 days. I'll shoot you a pic tomorrow. Its all about the heat. Try two or three heaters in the bucket at the same time.

Judman, That should work. Going to be some cooked on rotted flesh on those elements but I like the idea of 100 degrees. CT, I am finding 8-10 days if I can keep water at 85 or above. Had a couple of sitka that took longer but they had dried a bit. Got a 1 year old skinned mule deer I am trying to save right now. Taking a long time. I think I ended up this year at 13 heads done. Been real happy with the process. If it gets cold, the multiple heater trick works well.

I think that 100 degree heater may be very nice for degreasing for a 3-7 day soak. Keep me posted on what luck you have with it. Got one degreasing now and 3 more rotting it up. Temps headed south so may take longer. Be glad to finish up the last of this years crop lol.

A few recent ones.

Few more.

Been seeing some issues with heads skinned by hunting buddies. I now recommend only removing the hides. Don't cut out eyes, don't mess with brain, I do prefer lower jaw removed. But some guys are beating up eye sockets and areas above teeth on cheeks when skinning and removing eyes. Just let that stuff rot out, way better on skull quality from what I am seeing.

Ya do that Clint!! Thank you

Got er Kurt. I cape, cut jaw off and that's it too. I fight the cold, 35-45 til March/April.

Yours look great, really no comparison with the boil/beetle imo....

I take out the eyes and brains, but agree that its not necessary, just a little cleaner bucket when you're done. I think ya'll have talked me into not screwing with it.

Just finished this one up

Turned out real nice there. I need to glue a few sheaths on mine but they just sit on the shelf so haven't gotten motivated yet.

Judd, Nice! Did the problem turn out being water temp or chlorine content? Was it the river water that worked?

Clint, I used river water, seems to work a lot better!!

You guys reckon an elk skull that’s been sitting skinned since Halloween will still clean up okay with this method. Been busy and haven’t got going on it yet.

TheKid,

Do you have a FIRE ANT mound near you?? = Just drop your skull on top of the mound & those critters will eat the skull clean for sure, regardless of how old that it is. - Fire Ants are NOT very particular about their dinner.

yours, tex

I cleaned a deer head that had been skinned and sitting outside for a year this winter. It cleaned up fine but took a bit longer. I'd for sure put it in a tank of water with fish tank heaters turned to 90 and let it rot off. It will look great.

Yes it will hydrate and rot off just fine.