Cleaning up deer skull

[wolfshadow]

This may get booted off the forum. Didn’t know where to ask it. Trying to remove skin and hair between antlers on a white tail skull. I know, I shoulda cleaned it up after skinning deer, but didn’t. What’s the best way to clean up the skull? Will soaking in water loosen the hide?

[woodchucker]

Big pot of boiling water will do the trick. Usually takes a few hours or so.....

Keep adding water as it evaporates, to keep the skull submerged. After an hour or two, you will see the hide and meat starting to loosen and peel. A pair of needle nose pliers will help to peel it off. A dull knife or small flat screwdriver will help get the small stubborn spots.

NOTE!! HORN SOUP STINKS!!! Do it outside on the grill if "Momma Bear" might get angry...

[Trenton G.]

Bugs would work if you know someone who has those beetles. Otherwise you can bury it in the ground and let the bugs clean it there. It would have to be whitened afterwards though.

[Alexander Traditional]

I've used fire ants with varying success.

[J. Cook]

The beetles are the VERY BEST but not readily available.  Boiling, scraping, boiling, scraping etc is tedious but produces the best results outside of the beetles. 

[BAK]

And there can be a point of "no return" where the suture joints in the skull let go so keep an eye on it.

[Pat B]

Also try to keep the antlers out of the boiling water or it could remove some of their natural color. A little Dawn dish soap added to the boiling water helps with the grease that will come off.

[Philbow]

After boiling let it soak in a Biz detergent solution for a couple of days. About a cup of Biz with enough water to cover the skull. And reboil the skull after the Biz to kill the enzymes in the Biz.

[wolfshadow]

Help me here. What is Biz?

[Tater John]

If you do the water bath keep the temperature at 160, don’t boil, boiling will ruin the bone and you’ll end up trying to make it look right with paint. Simmer it and dump the water as often as needed eventually all the grease and oil with be removed adding the detergent each time until the water remain clear.

I have a colony beetle which remove the flesh that is left after the skinning. Go easy with the blades or you’ll have cut marks and scratches on the bone which show.
Beetles take a lot of care but are amazing when if you have the time and place to keep them

[Philbow]

Biz is enzyme containing detergent usually for washing clothes. My wife has found it at Target stores whenever I need another box (or 3). It really helps removing the last of the "trash" on the skull bones.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Biz+detergent+suppliers

[kevsuperg]

 My kids have dermestid beetles now, working on a javelin skull for me.
 Before that I would wrap the antlers in aluminum foil and put the skull in the flower bed for a month or so.
 The local bugs do a pretty decent job, some cleaning still required.
 Watch the bugs don't chew on the cartilage in the nasal cavity.
 Good luck Kevin
 
 

[azhunter]

Search White Bone Creations on youtube. They have some great videos.

[wood carver 2]

I have a skull that has dried tissue still attached to the bone. I’ve had it for a few years. Is it possible to get it clean?
Dave.