Cleaning bear skulls

[albertadeer]

I was going to send my skull away to get done with beetles. Never ended up going out of town much this winter so now Im thinking of doing it by simmering.


Looking for any helpful tips, I just did my deer and it turned out awesome.
I degreased in warm water and dishsoap for 48hrs.

What should I do for the bear? Same thing? Or should I use aget one or a alcohol?

How do I care for the teeth? Pull them after simmering and glue them back in?

[st99]

You're 1 week late, I could have invite you to come over last saturday, I did an elk and 2 bears at the same time.

1- clean the best you can before boiling

2- boil an hour (ideally with soda hash, careful with that stuff)

3- let it cool a bit and scrape off the meat and remove the brain using knife, pliers, steel wire, or any other tools that comes to mind

4- let it soak in peroxide for 5 days in the dark

it is that easy

[st99]

1 elk and 2 bears boiling together

[albertadeer]

Thanks! ️Ya I just did my deer. I got two Bears in the freezer I should do.

I used a pressure washer to remove the flesh after simmering. I would
Imagine I can with the bear too.

[st99]

No issues using the pressure washer on the deer?

What nozzle did you use?

I never dare using it on any skull, it is probably a lot faster, especially for the brain.

[Grizzly Adams]

2- boil an hour (ideally with soda hash, careful with that stuff)

I wouldn't get that enthusiastic, simmer gently and keep checking till the flesh just comes off, otherwise you'll have a pile of loose teeth and a split skull.

Grizz

[st99]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

2- boil an hour (ideally with soda hash, careful with that stuff)

I wouldn't get that enthusiastic, simmer gently and keep checking till the flesh just comes off, otherwise you'll have a pile of loose teeth and a split skull.

Grizz

Boiling time varies depending on the size of the skull. I've been bleaching skulls for 25 yrs, did everything from black birds to moose. Cooking time anywhere from 5 minutes to 1.5 hr.

[albertadeer]

Used wapiti road shell pressure washer...

No damage, I went pretty hardcore too. Obviiously being careful in the nose, roof of mouth and inner eye sockets.

I didn't boil. Just simmer/hot water.

[albertadeer]

Most bear skulls I see done have split teeth, is it too much heat? Too long?

[Sooner]

Search Kurt505's threads. He did a great step by step for this. Pretty much what was mentioned her but with pics. I am looking for some kind of metal tub so I can do my elk.

[st99]

Originally Posted by albertadeer

Most bear skulls I see done have split teeth, is it too much heat? Too long?

I've had split teeth on coyotes and fox, so far never happened on a bear. I was thinking it might be hardness of teeth and/or age of the animal.

[st99]

Originally Posted by Sooner

Search Kurt505's threads. He did a great step by step for this. Pretty much what was mentioned her but with pics. I am looking for some kind of metal tub so I can do my elk.

I had mine custom made in stainless, big enough for moose. But if you want to save money, I know guys that just cut drums and are happy with it.

[albertadeer]

Originally Posted by Sooner

Search Kurt505's threads. He did a great step by step for this. Pretty much what was mentioned her but with pics. I am looking for some kind of metal tub so I can do my elk.

Use a metal garbage can. I've seen my friends use them for elk.

[albertadeer]

Rear of skull. Small holes in the paper thin bones.

[albertadeer]

Nose is still intact and very minimal split on the bridge bones.

[albertadeer]

Got the antlers a bit white at the bases, but I've stained a few sheds over the years. Got a good system down.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by albertadeer

Use a metal garbage can. I've seen my friends use them for elk.

That works and then i don't have to deal with cleaning oil or something first and dad has a burner from his turkey cooker.

Thanks