A member of our archery club got a bear this spring in Canada and asked me to clean the skull for him. He is having a mount done. After skinning, the taxidermist threw the head in the freezer. He brought me the head in a frozen state. After a simmer, I got all the meat off and washed it to degrease the bone. Then, using small pieces of paper towel soaked in 40 volume peroxide, I covered the skull then wrapped it in plastic wrap over night. After removing all the paper towel pieces, I rinsed and set the skull in the sun for a day to dry. When it is totally dry, I will give it a coat of clear matt spray.
You did a great job for him. Do you use a high-pressure washer to help clean the meat off after simmering? I have done that with several deer skulls and just wondered your opinion.
You can do the same thing at the car wash. I have found that it saves me a LOT of time cleaning up the skull after simmering. Was just curious what your thoughts were.
I don’t find it difficult to get the meat off, I’m sure there are better ways than I employ to get all the meat off.
Hey, I by no means am knocking the guy. Bears are tough. And really, most people never get a look at a bear... and when they do... it looks huge. Of course... most people think all bears weight 350 pounds or more when in fact... more 175's and 200's are killed.
I use some soda ash in the simmer, it helps the meat come off easier. What do you use for degreaser??
I've cleaned many bear skulls. If It's still warm outside I'll set the skull out In the sun In a pail. The bugs eat the meat off fairly quickly. As for getting my skulls as white as yours, I struggle there. Great looking job Rancid!! Well done!! It looks as though he's got a lip somewhat In back of his skull on top. If your able to pick the skull up by the lip you may have yourself a P&Y bear. Don't look like the lip on that one Is quite big enough though. My guess Is If this Is a boar he probably dressed out somewhere In that 150lbs or maybe a tad smaller. Great work Rancid!! I enjoy your threads.
