2021 Buck Euro Done

[Mortenson]

After being disappointed in last year's euro done by a taxidermist (post #17), Chris is doing his own this year. I don't know if he knows what he's doing, but he says he does. Using water maceration for starters. Currently it's partially frozen. His water tank heater wasn't sufficient. We'll see how it turns out. If you have any pointers, I'll gladly pass them along.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

We boil the skinned head in a large pot until clean and then use hydrogen peroxide to bleach the skull. We keep the antlers above the peroxide level and wrap the skull portions above the peroxide level with layers of paper towels. That wicks the peroxide up to the skull, so the skull is whitened without whitening the antlers. There is usually some minor hiccup somewhere in the process as it is something that takes some practice to get right.

 

[PatinPA]

After being disappointed in last year's euro done by a taxidermist (post #17), Chris is doing his own this year. I don't know if he knows what he's doing, but he says he does. Using water maceration for starters. Currently it's partially frozen. His water tank heater wasn't sufficient. We'll see how it turns out. If you have any pointers, I'll gladly pass them along.

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Ha I tried that once. It doesn't work too well if the water stays frozen forever. And does it ever stink in the spring. I've heard the hydrogen peroxide paste works really well. I used the regular weak stuff from the grocery store. You almost have to build something to get it to sit right in the bucket if you're using the liquid. I wrapped the antler bases but it still got in and whitened them.

Now I just bury them in the ground and put a big trash can on top with some cinder blocks on it to keep any critters from snatching it.

 

[Mortenson]

Oh yeah it already stinks out there even being frozen. We live in town. Neighbors gonna think I have a couple stiffs under the porch.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

I do all of mine and my family's skulls. Here are the latest two:





I have been getting better at it with each skull. I use a turkey fryer that is heated by propane. I have learned to use a lower temp (not quite a rolling boil) and do multiple flushes, pulling as much meat and Cartlidge off as possible between flushes. I add a little bit of dish soap with each water change. You do not need to worry about bleaching the bases if you do this method.

I apply 40 weight hydrogen peroxide paste once it is done, typically 2-3 coats over a couple of days. I prefer the paste because it is easy to brush on and not messy and less likely to stain the antlers. You can use a full spectrum LED light or just use warm sunny days for the bleaching to take place.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Oh yeah it already stinks out there even being frozen. We live in town. Neighbors gonna think I have a couple stiffs under the porch.

I sometimes do mine in the middle of the Twin Cities and I am sure I would freak some neighbors out if they saw me pulling brains out with long-necked pliers.

 

[Mortenson]

Those look excellent. You have it down. Forgot how cool your crabclaw buck was.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Those look excellent. You have it down. Forgot how cool your crabclaw buck was.

Yeah, he definitely has some neat character. The one thing about my process is that it takes quite a bit of time for each skull. I would say about 8 hours. If I used a power washer I could probably cut that time in half, but honestly it is kind of relaxing to do and I don't mind.

 

[hillrunner]

I've done a few but now I have a taxidermist that will do it in trade for the cape. I don't enjoy the process so that's a great deal for me.

 

[Bill]

I sometimes do mine in the middle of the Twin Cities and I am sure I would freak some neighbors out if they saw me pulling brains out with long-necked pliers.

Try a cheap electric pressure washer in between boils. Much easier than picking stuff off the scull. But brains are kinda gross when they come flying out...