First skull prep

[Jh1986]

So, I did at least try to get some work done today. Only issue is some scrote tried to force the canopy handle yesterday and now it's snapped and I'm locked out. All my work gear is in the back. Bloody East London



Oh well, I've got my new Alpex lite being delivered this morning so I may as well wait in for that.

I probably left this head a touch long before getting round to skinning it. It was in the fridge around 17 days. I'd already butchered the carcass so the freezer was full. Oh well. I got on with it nonetheless, with my wife at work I decided it's now or never.

Its on the boil with a dishwasher tab, with the windows and doors open... We'll see how this goes

 

[Jh1986]

This stuff at the back is proving troublesome

 

[WalkedUp]

I let it dry then use a knife and pliers when it is hardened. Those base of the tendons attach the skill to the neck and are very tough but floppy when wet. That may not be the best way but it is easy to over boil looking for 100% of the flesh to loosen.

 

[Jh1986]

I let it dry then use a knife and pliers when it is hardened. Those base of the tendons attach the skill to the neck and are very tough but floppy when wet. That may not be the best way but it is easy to over boil looking for 100% of the flesh to loosen.

Thanks. I've currently got just the back part in for another 5, then I'll let it dry. Admittedly, the back wasn't submerged in the initial boil as I did not want to get the coronets wet.

 

[muddy42]

I'd pressure wash that wearing full waterproofs. It works a treat.

 

[WalkedUp]

Good luck, nice buck

 

[Jagged77]

Nice head. I find it’s worth the effort and doesn’t take too long once you’ve had a bit of practice.

A few from this summer - not the greatest but all have a story.

 

[sh1kar]

Macerate Bucket of water for a couple of months - flesh and tendons just fall off. Then boil for prob 10 mins max. rinse then peroxide

S

 

[wytonpjs]

Macerate Bucket of water for a couple of months - flesh and tendons just fall off. Then boil for prob 10 mins max. rinse then peroxide

S

Stinks though

 

[sh1kar]

Stinks though

It does and the maggots help clear the fur you cant quite get at under the coronets

Super clean job at the end of it

S

 

[SteveW]

Yes it does leave them spotless but as @wytonpjs says the smell is minging !
I've got a bit lazy cleaning heads off so in the buckets they go and sometimes sit longer than they should!

 

[sh1kar]

Yes it does leave them spotless but as @wytonpjs says the smell is minging !
I've got a bit lazy cleaning heads off so in the buckets they go and sometimes sit longer than they should!

Luckily I have quite a lot of outbuildings so they sit out their and get boiled out on a gas ring out there too

 

[Jh1986]

I'll get it on a more accurate scale once it's properly dried out, but this is day 12 since boil, and I've finally got it pretty clean. Few tough bits left around the back but it's 99% there.



Then it's just the bleaching to go

 

[TheOldTool]

Just did my first one and made all the rookie mistakes, despite reading the threads....overboiled it and softened the bones too much, lost some of the nose bones as well. Still got some hair round the pedicle base. But I will know for next time....Bucket tip sounds good, just finding somewhere to put it that is the issue.....

 

[Jh1986]

Just did my first one and made all the rookie mistakes, despite reading the threads....overboiled it and softened the bones too much, lost some of the nose bones as well. Still got some hair round the pedicle base. But I will know for next time....Bucket tip sounds good, just finding somewhere to put it that is the issue.....

I'm definitely sending the head off in future. It's a hard no on the effort/reward scale for me

 

[TheOldTool]

Sending it off? Where? Am with you on the effort bit, it was a gruesome and disgusting job to do........My garage looked like Ed Geins kitchen......

 

[Jh1986]

do........My garage looked like Ed Geins kitchen......

How about after you'd started

 

[Freeforester]

So, I did at least try to get some work done today. Only issue is some scrote tried to force the canopy handle yesterday and now it's snapped and I'm locked out. All my work gear is in the back. Bloody East London

View attachment 435515

Oh well, I've got my new Alpex lite being delivered this morning so I may as well wait in for that.

I probably left this head a touch long before getting round to skinning it. It was in the fridge around 17 days. I'd already butchered the carcass so the freezer was full. Oh well. I got on with it nonetheless, with my wife at work I decided it's now or never.

Its on the boil with a dishwasher tab, with the windows and doors open... We'll see how this goes
View attachment 435516

Soda crystals: add about a bantam eggs worth, it eases the job considerably, as does resting the head in a bucket of cold water with your soap
suds or tablet of choice for another day or so.

 

[bullet chucker]

I'd pressure wash that wearing full waterproofs. It works a treat.

Do not throw the pot of water or the pressure debris where any dogs can get at them, Do not ask how I know?

BC.

 

[Border]

With the macerate version, do you just chuck the whole head in and forget about it or do you need to keep the antlers above the water level? Does it remove the colour in the antlers?