How long underground? (well, in a big planter)

[daw]

Skull prep using maggots

First of all thanks to my shooting friend Frank in Germany for talking me through this after I finally decided to give it a go. Frank is responsible for the good bits not my improvising! Took the head out of the freezer and covered it in sawdust in order to maintain a moist environment. Left it...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Rememeber to remove skin and excess flesh first.

 

[Mike_E]

not tried it in the Uk, but back in Aus youc an put a head on top of an ants nest (meat ants... big angry b*stards) and its stripped to the bone within a week. Just have to chain it in position so a wild dog/fox/eagle/etc does not take off with it overnight.

I doubt the UK has sufficiently big/angry/ugly ants to do a propper job though

Mike

 

[Lakey]

If you are boiling a skull inside a house, adding an onion (must be peeled or the skull will stain) keeps the smell more acceptable to the missus.

 

[bogtrotter]

If you are boiling a skull inside a house, adding an onion (must be peeled or the skull will stain) keeps the smell more acceptable to the missus.

For feck same he is trying to clean a head not make soup! Lol

 

[Woodsmoke]

I know the OP has said boiling it wasn't an option, but just as an aside this can be the result with just a couple or three hours of boiling and cleaning. This skull was cleaned, dried, and whitened within 24 hours of it being shot. I far prefer to deal with them there and then, and there really is no decent option other than to put a few hours of work in. The results are worth it, and if it's a trophy you value it deserves proper treatment

 

[User00040]

Just take it to your local garage/car wash which has DIY power washers for hire.

Do it late at night or early morning

 

[Londoner]

Quick update.

Curiosity got the best of me and I dug it up. I have to admit this does not look even remotely as bad as I was made to fear. I am not sure I should even use peroxide on it. Now, the thing is I have never mounted a head before. I want to do it myself. Any advice on how to, please? What sort of shield/mount should I go for?

Many thanks again!

 

[T.eddie]

Take a look on here for mounts

Trophy

BushWear is the UK's specialist field sports retailer — Härkila, Seeland, Swarovski, Meindl and more. Trusted by stalkers, gamekeepers and shooters.

www.bushwear.co.uk

 

[Woodsmoke]

Quick update.

Curiosity got the best of me and I dug it up. I have to admit this does not look even remotely as bad as I was made to fear. I am not sure I should even use peroxide on it.

In all honesty, that's nowhere near as bad as I was expecting either. It's definitely worth mounting. I'd give it a good clean using a toothbrush and some washing powder, and then an overnight soak in 12% peroxide paste. Bet it'll come up great. As for mounting, there are a few ways. One I like is to do a short nose cut, and glue a piece of wood into the brain cavity. That way you can screw it to the shield from the back

 

[Foxyboy43]

not tried it in the Uk, but back in Aus youc an put a head on top of an ants nest (meat ants... big angry b*stards) and its stripped to the bone within a week. Just have to chain it in position so a wild dog/fox/eagle/etc does not take off with it overnight.

I doubt the UK has sufficiently big/angry/ugly ants to do a propper job though

Mike

You obviously haven’t met my father’s sister pal!

 

[Londoner]

Thank you very much for your answer and advice on mounts.

Take a look on here for mounts https://www.bushwear.co.uk/collections/trophy

an overnight soak in 12% peroxide paste.

Thank you very much for this. I bought myself some 12%peroxide. So. What do I do? Spread the paste over it and leave it overnight, or do i dilute the peroxide in water and then submerge the scull overnight? Apologies for the daft questions. I have never done this before.

 

[T.eddie]

You shouldn't need to dilute it, all that will potentially do is make it take a little longer
Will need to make sure you keep it off the anthers though

 

[Coddy]

Interesting to see how it comes up after a Peroxide.

 

[Woodsmoke]

What do I do? Spread the paste over it and leave it overnight, or do i dilute the peroxide in water and then submerge the scull overnight? Apologies for the daft questions. I have never done this before.

I paint the paste onto the skull first, then wrap strips of kitchen paper over and around it before wrapping in cling film. I think this helps ensure an even covering. I then just leave it overnight

 

[TomT3]

In all honestly I boil mine and as long as they are fresh or fresh from freezer I don’t really notice a bad smell at all? Skin, boil, scrape with blunt knife, pressure washer, peroxide, mount. Job done. The more time you or somebody else spends on it the better they look-in my opinion.

 

[hedge hunter]

Sad or sick I find it very therapeutic removing all the bits and Bob's. Especially from the nasal cavity.iv even made little tools for getting the awkward bits.but boiling is the best for a nice finish then peroxide

 

[Londoner]

I paint the paste onto the skull first, then wrap strips of kitchen paper over and around it before wrapping in cling film. I think this helps ensure an even covering. I then just leave it overnight

Brilliant. Many thanks. I shall upload pictures once I complete the process!

 

[devon deer stalker]

You might want to check Youtube for Hydro Dipping, but if you do go down that road expect the wrath of the SD to descend upon thee! (based on my experiment a few years ago )
Cheers
Richard

 

[Woodsmoke]

Brilliant. Many thanks. I shall upload pictures once I complete the process!

Here are a couple of pics that might help clarify? I'll unwrap this tomorrow morning

 

[Woodsmoke]

@Londoner As promised . . .