10-30-2009, 06:02 PM
Here is a link I have found useful.
[url "http://www.wildlifeartistry.com/hints-european.html"][/url][/url]http://www.wildlifeartistry.com/hints-european.html[/url]
I do a few heads every year.
Best thing I ever did was rig something to hang the head in the pot of water.
Needle nose pliers are a must.
An assortment of little wire hooks I have made help alot.
Boil and scrape/pick. repeat...until it's clean. I try to clean every little nook and cranny out as well as possible. Don't over boil, it wears on the bone. Dawn in the water helps break down the fat. When a layer of grease develops on the water I skim it off.
Brain - yes it does get mushy. There is a membrane around the brain that is troublesome. I use a wire with a hook bent into it to get it out. Needle nose. Pick and flush alot.
Jaw - will come off/release as you boil the head...much easier than wrestling with it in the beginning.
I dont mess with cutting meat of the head...that is what the boiling is for, and I don't risk errant knife marks on bone.
Once I am satisfied the head is clean I will soak the skull in a taxidermy degreaser solution for an hour or two.
Borax is good to kill bacteria and preserve. A coat of that or soaked in a solution is a good idea. Not necessary, but momma hates any smells...
Whitening:
I give it a good coating inside and out of 40 or 50% (cosmetic grade) peroxide and let it sit overnight. Then rinse really well. Soap bath, rinse again. Get the peroxide off!
Pick/scrape the teeth, and sometimes another round of peroxide on them. They are hard to get real white...Crest whitening strips....[:p] just kidding.
As far as a skull that has been weathered for a few years...I don't know how well it will clean up. I have never tried something old. I do have a year old skull I am doing this weekend. It was boiled(too much) last year. I'm going to give it a try and see if I can clean it up.
There are some recipes on the net for antler coloring. Some are quite exotic. Do a search and pick one you think you can do.
I'm not a pro, just been practicing/playing for a few years. I doubt I would ever do it for money...it becomes work then.
If you have any questions...feel free to ask. I wouldn't be opposed to helping someone if the timing works.
Hope this helps.
PS. I put all the meat scrapings by a tree at the side of the house...they always disappear...couldn't be the neighborhood dogs...we have a leash law...
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[url "http://www.wildlifeartistry.com/hints-european.html"][/url][/url]http://www.wildlifeartistry.com/hints-european.html[/url]
I do a few heads every year.
Best thing I ever did was rig something to hang the head in the pot of water.
Needle nose pliers are a must.
An assortment of little wire hooks I have made help alot.
Boil and scrape/pick. repeat...until it's clean. I try to clean every little nook and cranny out as well as possible. Don't over boil, it wears on the bone. Dawn in the water helps break down the fat. When a layer of grease develops on the water I skim it off.
Brain - yes it does get mushy. There is a membrane around the brain that is troublesome. I use a wire with a hook bent into it to get it out. Needle nose. Pick and flush alot.
Jaw - will come off/release as you boil the head...much easier than wrestling with it in the beginning.
I dont mess with cutting meat of the head...that is what the boiling is for, and I don't risk errant knife marks on bone.
Once I am satisfied the head is clean I will soak the skull in a taxidermy degreaser solution for an hour or two.
Borax is good to kill bacteria and preserve. A coat of that or soaked in a solution is a good idea. Not necessary, but momma hates any smells...
Whitening:
I give it a good coating inside and out of 40 or 50% (cosmetic grade) peroxide and let it sit overnight. Then rinse really well. Soap bath, rinse again. Get the peroxide off!
Pick/scrape the teeth, and sometimes another round of peroxide on them. They are hard to get real white...Crest whitening strips....[:p] just kidding.
As far as a skull that has been weathered for a few years...I don't know how well it will clean up. I have never tried something old. I do have a year old skull I am doing this weekend. It was boiled(too much) last year. I'm going to give it a try and see if I can clean it up.
There are some recipes on the net for antler coloring. Some are quite exotic. Do a search and pick one you think you can do.
I'm not a pro, just been practicing/playing for a few years. I doubt I would ever do it for money...it becomes work then.
If you have any questions...feel free to ask. I wouldn't be opposed to helping someone if the timing works.
Hope this helps.
PS. I put all the meat scrapings by a tree at the side of the house...they always disappear...couldn't be the neighborhood dogs...we have a leash law...
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