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Posts: 126
| First off I did not kill a fish just for the skull but got a pretty nice head of a fish that was supposed to be a 40 lber. I'm sure the guy didn't realize what it would cost to mount it. I heard before to throw it in a bucket of bleach to take the skin off. Will that do it? Thanks |
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Posts: 2024
| I've never removed flesh from a skull, but have from cleithra bones. I boiled water and dumped it on the bones (they smelled too nasty to bring inside, otherwise I would have boiled them in a small pot). This got most of the flesh off. I did this a couple of times and then let them soak overnight in bleach. |
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Posts: 131
| I had a great grand uncle that used to soak the heads of big northerns in salt water, I dont remember how long, I'm sure it was days maybe weeks it was along time ago . he would then pin them to his shed, the sun would naturally bleach them white . I think if your going to use bleach the skull could get soft . |
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Posts: 2024
| H2Owolf, I sent you an email. I have a friend that processed a winter-kill 51" a few years ago. I don't remember the entire process, but I know he left it outside (well concealed) in the woods for a period of time with a roll of newspaper jammed in its mouth so that the jaws would set open. Don't know if he used bleach/hot water or not. He put a lacquer on it afterwards and it looks fantastic: http://www.fishingfury.com/20090603/muskie-jaw/. If you do use bleach, I would only use a little to get rid of any stray bits of flesh. If you soak it I'd worry it would really soften the bone as Oddball pointed out.
Edited by esox50 9/27/2011 10:31 AM
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Posts: 8
| Guys be careful about leaving in bleach too long. I have made many european mounts with bucks and the bleach will eat at the skull making them very brittle. Simmer the head outside in a pot with a large scoop of borax and oxy clean for about an hour. Don't bring it to a roaring boil. Let the pot cool and dump the water off. Take a garden hose on a light setting and spray off the excess material left on. If there is still some stuff left on the skull repeat the process one more time and that should do the trick. After you get all the material off put some type of hair bleach on it. Let it sit for about 12-16 hrs then spray it off and let dry. That should work for you. |
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Posts: 8
| Sorry forgot to mention that put just enough water to cover the skull. Dont fill the pot up all the way or the it will boil over and put out your flame. You may need to add a little water due to evaporation. |
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Posts: 463
| Try finding a taxi. that does european mounts using the beetle. |
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Posts: 25
| I think they use food grade hydrogen peroxide. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Add some bay leaves, paprika, salt, pepper, celery, carrots, onions and sage. Bring to a rolling boil and simmer for a few hours. You'll end up with a great stock. |
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Posts: 559
| Ant hill with some metal mesh to keep the mice away |
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Posts: 462
Location: Madison Wi. Chain | Mix borax in with some water and let it soak for a while until you can scrap the flesh of. BG |
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Posts: 131
| Hey pointer if I throw some garlic in that mix can I use it on the bear skull thats been in my freezer for 2 yrs yummy |
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Posts: 1270
| BE careful with the bleach. I tried doing a bear skull and left it in to long and pretty much came out with a piece of chalk in the shape of a bear skull! And I would imagine a muskys skull bones are much more fragile than a bears skull. |
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Posts: 61
Location: Cottage Grove, WI | Seriously, do the beetles, well worth it. Then use hydrogen peroxide to whiten it. |
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Posts: 1060
Location: Medford, WI | Mike,
My dad is a full-time taxidermist and has been for 20+ years. I will ask him what the best method is for this and get back to you.
-Jake Bucki
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Posts: 1060
Location: Medford, WI | Mike,
He said absolutely don't use bleach. Said that fish skulls are very difficult to do much with. He's even sent sturgeon in to be done with beatles and got the call back that because so much is cartilage it didn't really turn out. Said that if you do boil them to simmer it...don't boil it hard.
He said he'd talk to a few guys and do a bit of research tonight and I'll let you know what he finds. Hope this helps.
-Jake |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | oddball - 9/28/2011 2:51 PM
Hey pointer if I throw some garlic in that mix can I use it on the bear skull thats been in my freezer for 2 yrs yummy
I knew I was missing something.
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