A few folks have asked about the European skull cleaning I did on my buck. I didn't take any pics of mine but my Brother-in-law shot a buck and wanted me to clean his deer skull so I will use his for this pictorial. *****CAUTION******** Before I go any further, I want to mention 2 things. 1. His shot was deflected by an unseen twig. He did not and does not aim where his arrow hit. This deer died when it hit the ground. No additional shots were required to finish it off. While disturbing to see, the deer expired almost instantly. 2. For those viewing these pics. know that this is a messy and rather graphic pictorial of the process. Some of the pics are going to be gross. you have been cautioned. OK, as I said, this shot is what it is. This skull will be near impossible to get white for two reasons. My brother-in-law skinned the head and did nothing with the head for nearly a week so I can expect some staining of the skull. Secondly, being shot in the brain means the bones of the skull will have been saturated in blood due to the brain hit. This will certainly stain the skull as well. I was able to remove the arrow shaft but the broadhead is captured in the brain. I put the skull in the pot at 1:30 pm. I never bring the water to a boil. Its just a simmer with no rolling or bubbling. 2 hours later, the water is very dark with a skim of fat floating on the top of the water. The meat is already softening and falling from the skull. So much so that I can pull the bottom jaw off. Then I changed the water and added Dawn dish soap. After 2 more hours, this is what it looks like. The meat can be easily removed at this point. I change the water again and again add Dawn dish soap and let it simmer for two more hours. After two hours, I use a small knife and cut and scrape away any remaining meat. Then I use a stiff scrub brush and soapy water to scrub the skull. I use a needle nose pliers to pull out sinus' and spray water in the back of the skull to flush out the brains. Then I use Oxi Clean and a toothbrush to scrub the skull. Then I rinse it well and let it air dry. The squiggly expansion joints in the skull are normally white but the blood seems to have stain them. Also, it seems like the blood stains the skull with a greenish color. My buck is on the right. The entrance hole The Bear razorhead is forever captured in the void where the brain was. I coaxed it out a bit with a needle nose pliers for this picture. The whole process can be accomplished in an afternoon.
I hit a buck EXACTLY like that years ago.... he was at 20 yards and my pin was settled behind his shoulder. Couldn't figure out why the heck he dropped like a rock at my shot until I finally spotted the arrow sticking out of his head. Then I was REALLY perplexed at how I'd missed so badly until I spotted the little vine that was clipped clean in between me and him.
On my Euro. mts, I have used peroxide applied with a brush and then rinsed to whiten it up a little, but you want the peroxide only available at a hair salon supply places. this stuff is really strong, rubber gloves and all that, but everything else is the same. I have to agree though, I thought it stunk like meat that I would not eat., I used big pot, and turkey cooker,w/ propane. By brand name it was called Clairoxide 40, only $2.95 per bottle. Good job though. Oh yeah, my uncle claims that he has buried them in a plastic bag and left them, and I guess the bus do them. Never tried that
Looks good. I usually bring mine to a boil but I'm constantly having to add water. Next time I'll let it simmer as you do. Looks good!
