Anyone got any tips on how to get all the bits out of the nose cavity? I tried the pressure washer but it didn't work and I now have a really smelly skull in the shed. Might it be that I didn't boil it for long enough, and that I could afford to be a bit more rough with it?
Overview - Preparing a Head/Trophy
Long nose pliers, but it also sounds as if you might not have boiled it long enough.
Cheers, I'll have to let that skull go I think unfortunately but will give it a bit longer next time. I'll give the soda crystals trick a go too, although I did put some washing powder in the pan. We'll see how it goes next time...
Great guide.
Only done a couple and it doesnt seem to matter how careful I am, I always seem to have a brainwash
So next steps, how to mount onto a plaque. Do most people use wood filler and a strip of wood on the skull, and secure from the back of the plaque?
You can do like that or you can buy special mounting clamps, Bushwear and others sell them.
PeteSurrey
Active Member
thats a nice write up thankyou
March Brown
Member
Ah, you beat me to it but a very comprehensive tutorial. Here are a few things I do differently
1.Personally I have never found the need to remove the eyes
2. If you use a rolling boil then you add a dishwasher tablet as this will inhibit foaming due to its anti foaming chemicals
3. To do the brain cavity, hold your powerwasher nozzle so as it touches the skull socket and do not remove it until the water runs clear
4. Once again if you use a rolling boil then 25mins max for yearlings and 35mins max for older animals
5. Immerse immediately in a bucket of cold water on removal from boiling
6. When you shoot the animal push your hose into its trachea to flush any blood from the nasal passages as this will stain the nose bones if left in
7. When finished powerwashing immerse again in clean water until your ready to apply the bleach or the skull will begin to dry
8. If you can clean them on a sunny day do, as bleach will work better in the sun
9. For gods sake wear an apron and boots and if you've got a dog let him clean up, he'll love you even more
10. Make sure the missus is out shopping, open the windows and don't (as one member did) clean your head down the local garage powerwash bay
Brittany boy
Well-Known Member
I had a friend who took my first roe heads about 20 + years ago he used some kind of beetle think he bought them from Bushware ( don’t quote me ) put them in a plastic box with the head and let them strip the flesh took weeks if I remember right then he bleached the head. Has anyone else ever used these beetles or heard of them possibly called pharaoh beetles.
csl
Administrator
Congratulations on your buck!
If you've got a pressure washer, boil first, then pressure washer. All the brain matter will exit the skull (you'll probably be covered in it too
) but it will look great. 
Morkai
Well-Known Member
Congratulations on your buck!
If you've got a pressure washer, boil first, then pressure washer. All the brain matter will exit the skull (you'll probably be covered in it too
Thank you.
Will give it a go tomorrow. I assume this sized skull wont take long to boil as it my go brittle?
csl
Administrator
You can take it out the boil process a bit early, if it needs more then stick it back in.
If you dont have a clamp for the head, you can wrap the pedicles and lower antlers in tin foil. They if they do drop into the water minimal damage is caused. The biggest pain is getting the floating fat and scum onto the base of the antlers as that works into the pearling. The tin foil trick eliminates 95% of that.
Lakey
Lakey
FilipRugby
Well-Known Member
Excellent thread!! I can't wait to do my first one 
Callumno112
Well-Known Member
Awesome! I honestly thought you boiled the whole thing first then scraped it all off! Useful to know!
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