Cleaning the trophies thoroughly before bleaching them is the key to producingmagnificent white hunting trophies that will last for generations. A skull can be cleaned and bleached without the use of powerful hydrogen peroxide. When properly cared for, a skull can be a source of fascination and amazement, serving as a window into the animal’s way of existence.
Skull collections may be a wonderful addition to a classroom in a multitude of subjects, including art, science, and social studies, in addition to being a wonderful way to appreciate the natural marvel of skulls. Cleaning a skull is a simple process that is no more uncomfortable than removing meat from a boiled soup bone when it is done properly.
Table of Contents
Removing the Remaining Hyde
1. Remove the Hyde using a sharp knife and some pliers
If you want to remove any facial characteristics without injuring the skull, you’ll need a good knife. Gloves should be worn by the user in order to keep any potentially hazardous microorganisms from entering. For huge portions of meat that may be difficult to remove, pliers will be extremely useful. Even if the characteristics are present, removing the eyes and tongue will very certainly require pliers.After the skinning process is complete, the only thing that will be left is the red muscle tissue. If only the skull has been located, it is not essential to advance to the following stage.
Boiling and simmering the skull in water for a few minutes
To boil the skull, fill a large saucepan halfway with water so that it covers it completely. Lower the skull into the boiling water by using the antlers. The heat should be reduced as soon as the water begins to boil once more to a gentle simmer. Two to three hours should be required for this process.Allow an additional 30 minutes for the skull to defrost if it has been frozen.
3. Remove all of the remaining muscle tissue and fat
While the skull is still warm, this procedure must be conducted as quickly as possible. Take the skull out of the water and place it somewhere secure. Remove the remaining chunks of tissue with a smaller knife and discard them. It’s important to remove any brain tissue that may be present on the inside, too.
4. Hands should be washed with cold water.
When all of the tissue that can be removed from the interior and exterior of the skull has been removed, thoroughly rinse the skull with water to eliminate any remaining residue. To perform this successfully, we recommend that you use a spray nozzle with pressure.
5. Soak the Skull for Three Days
Locate a container large enough to accommodate the skull and keep it totally submerged in water at all times. For every gallon of water used, add 3/4 cup of enzyme-bleach power. Make sure to leave the skull in the solution for three full days.After the soaking process is complete, all of the remaining resistant fragments of tissue will be removed. Almost any local grocery will carry enzyme cleaning power.
6. Remove any remaining pieces of tissue and examine the results
If any fragments of tissue remain on the skull at this point, there should not be much remaining. Remove whatever is left using a scalpel or a small, sharp knife. Again, thoroughly wash and check the skull to ensure that all foreign objects have been eliminated.
Nature-based Methods for Cleaning the Skull
1. For a long-lasting natural clean, expose the bones to dermestid insects
Dermestid beetles are insects that live in the wild and feed on the waste products left behind by animals that have been killed or eaten. Set aside a large plastic container and fill it with a box of beetles, allowing them to do their work for a week while the deer skull is resting in the container.
The cleaning of a skull will take 1-2 days if you use a full colony of beetles.It is recommended that they be gently collected and released back into the wild once their task has been fulfilled.Make sure to poke a few holes in the cover to allow the beetles to get some fresh air to survive.
2. To provide a long-term solution, dispose of the bones in the wild.
As a general rule, nature has built-in processes that we can only attempt to replicate. The natural cleaning process for bones occurs when they are left out in the wild in dirt, where they are discovered by other animals, insects, and bacteria.
3. Only as a final resort should you simmer the bones
Even though it used to be normal practice, boiling deer skulls is now regarded to be a terrible method of cleaning a skull due to the fact that it increases the likelihood of the bone structure cracking. It is, however, the most straightforward method.To make a paste out of the skull, fill a large pot with 260 fluid ounces of water and 8.5 fluid ounces of washing soda. Let it sit for 12 hours, checking on it every hour or so.
4. Water treatment should be made safer by introducing “cold water maceration”
In many ways, cold water maceration is similar to boiling the bones, but instead of attempting to remove any dirt from the bones, the water just loosens any dirt that already existing, such as muscle fibres or tendons, that were not visible during the first clean.Pour cold water over the deer skull in a big container and let it for 24-48 hours, preferably with the lid closed to prevent bacteria from growing.
5. To get rid of obstinate dirt, use a toothbrush.
A toothbrush and some elbow grease may often remove any unwanted filth and grime if all else fails. Alternatively, if you are not planning on using the toothbrush again, dab it in a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide to improve the effectiveness of the cleaning procedure.
