Head preparation article

[beebuzz]

Thanks for the pinned thread re head preparation it’s really useful. I recall a BASC magazine article a couple of years ago and wondered if anyone had a digital copy they might be able to share? I’ve read back on the forum searches.

i have a freezer of heads that I’ve been stockpiling to learn how to prepare then but I want to progress as I do them and try a few different techniques to see which works best for me. The time to get going is coming close and I’d like to do a bit of reading/research in advance, any other suggestion/articles/tips would be welcome
Thanks.
B

 

[Turnips]

If nobody has one you could get in touch with BASC, I imagine they have a comprehensive archive. If you do get hold of a copy bung it up on here for the rest of us to look at!

 

[Sol]

Thanks for the pinned thread re head preparation it’s really useful. I recall a BASC magazine article a couple of years ago and wondered if anyone had a digital copy they might be able to share? I’ve read back on the forum searches.

i have a freezer of heads that I’ve been stockpiling to learn how to prepare then but I want to progress as I do them and try a few different techniques to see which works best for me. The time to get going is coming close and I’d like to do a bit of reading/research in advance, any other suggestion/articles/tips would be welcome
Thanks.
B

I might not be the article your after but I'm friends with loads of taxidermists and sell non-boiled bones as a little business (when I have them at least) I could happily dig up a few articles and bits of information on all the processing methods out there.
Boiling, Maceration, Air decomp, Burial, Oxidization, Beetles, maggots are the main ones off the top of my head.

Maceration Is the one I would recommend It leaves quite literally every delicate bone structure intact including everything in the nose without there being any flesh or cartilage left over, and all It requires is skinning heads and tossing into water.

Boiling bones leaves It fragile and also "traps" oil inside the bone that's why trophies get a yellow hue to them after a few years, we tackle this issue by degreasing in water with dish soap (some times ammonia, very rarely acetone) its the most effective way for a long lasting trophy.

Also for medal deer that are weighed off skull weight it gives them the best chance since your not ripping out loads and loads of skull from inside the nose... not heavy in there mind you but its still 10-20g lost.

 

[beebuzz]

Hi Sol

I never knew there were so many techniques!! If it‘s not too much bother I’d be interested in reading around the subject. Only when you have time to look them out though. It interesting the different ‘finish’ you get with each.
Thanks for the reply!
B

 

[Moray Outfitting]

Use Soda crystals in the water also helps with degreasing. J

 

[Sol]

Hi Sol

I never knew there were so many techniques!! If it‘s not too much bother I’d be interested in reading around the subject. Only when you have time to look them out though. It interesting the different ‘finish’ you get with each.
Thanks for the reply!
B

If you have the area to do it maceration is the best people say boiling is the best method but In my opinion its the most time intensive process out there.

Maceration you place heads in water skinned and let the bacteria do its work, this time of year a roe should be done within 2 weeks but the thing Is Its two weeks of zero effort besides that skinning and filling with water.
You pick all the bones up (premaxilla, teeth, and the nose bones, + skull) and toss them into a dish soap water solution for another 2-3 weeks then whiten.

maceration breaks down fats etc so you'll notice the bones come out with his horrible yucky colour, thankfully a few weeks in soap fixes it no problem.

The skull collecting reddit has an entire stickie post about processing.

All museum grade skulls are processed using maceration or beetles, If these are skulls you dont wish to keep and only experiment on they'll generate the most cash done with any method besides boiling, trapped oils etc arent ideal for crafting especially with paints.

 

[beebuzz]

Thanks. A very interesting link. I think I’ll try a couple of ways and see how I get on. The only down side I can see at the moment is having a warm environment out of the sun- over 21C at the moment it isn’t!!!
Thanks again
B