Elk Skull Help

[JohnOD]

Hey, this is John's son Sam and I'm sabotaging my dad's account for the moment. I got a 5 point bull in the Ochoccos in November and I have been slacking and really messing up on getting the skull boiled. I have boiled it twice but both times I had too much meat on it and I forgot to add something to the water to help get the meat off. Well now that is has been a rediculous amount of time any bit of flesh that is still attached to the skull is about as tough as jerky and I can't get it off with a knife for the life of me. There isn't much more than 3 or 4 percent of the meat left. Any suggestions on how to loosen the meat up or any reccomendations as to what I should do?

[Roperguy]

Go to your local beer/brewing supply store and pick up a packet of ONE STEP cleaner. It is made for cleaning out beer kegs, but will clean just about anything. cost is around $6. mix per directions and soak the skull for a day or 2.
Maury

[woodsy188]

Sam - did you use a sodium bicarbonate solution in the boiling water?

Roperguy - what are the ingredients in the "one step." I mean is it bleach based, amonia, baking soda....?

[JohnOD]

Originally Posted by woodsy188

Sam - did you use a sodium bicarbonate solution in the boiling water?

Roperguy - what are the ingredients in the "one step." I mean is it bleach based, amonia, baking soda....?

No, like an idiot I didn't use anything. Just boiling hot water...

[BrianMaguire]

You can buy the flesh eating beetles online.

[woodsy188]

Originally Posted by JohnOD

No, like an idiot I didn't use anything. Just boiling hot water...

If the skull isn't already on the virdge of breaking apart, try boiling it again in some baking soda. The meat should loosen up.

[Bull7x6]

I have had pretty good luck just soaking it in water up to the pediciles (sp?) for a few days. Check it for "cleanability" and changing water if needed. Seemed to soften the stuff up pretty good and you aren't cooking the bone any more than need be.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Here ya go:

Get a LOT of hydrogen peroxide. Find a pot that is as small as possible to fit the skull in up to the pedistals (no antler touching water!!!). This will save you buying a ton of H2O2.

Now, place skull into pot, fill with H2O2 (if 3% store solution is used, dilute to ~3% if you can buy 35% strong strength H2O2 somewhere like a beauty salon.) and place on a propane turkey cooker outside on low heat.
You are not cooking at this point! Only warming...

Let skull sit in 'warm' solution for 1-1.5 hrs... then pull out and scrape/pick what you can...

Then, turn heat up slightly, low roll, not a full on boil! Let this 'cook' for 2-3 hrs, adding water to keep the level right at the pedistals. DO NOT LET IT GET TOO HOT! also helps to have something in the bottom of the pot to keep the skull from resting on the hot pan bottom.

After this step is done, simply remove, do a little minor scraping/picking, and wha-la!

[BrushApe]

Hey Twitch, is that Alli's buck??????????????????????

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Originally Posted by BrushApe

Hey Twitch, is that Alli's buck??????????????????????

No, they didn't want to stick around for the full-boil time Something about no cell service, and needing to talk to someone...

It looked pretty good when they left, but needed a little more picking on the back. Don't know if thats happened yet, maybe we could get Jim to take a pic?

That buck was mine from last year.

[scottishsetter]

That skull's fine; just hang it on the wall. (High enough so the dogs can't reach it)

[SILVERSINK]

do all that was sugested or wait for yellowjacket season

[osulogger]

Originally Posted by Bull7x6

I have had pretty good luck just soaking it in water up to the pediciles (sp?) for a few days. Check it for "cleanability" and changing water if needed. Seemed to soften the stuff up pretty good and you aren't cooking the bone any more than need be.

You need to let that skull soak. I wouldn't simmer it anymore or it will start falling apart and then you'll really be upset. Just let it soak in some water for about two weeks. It's gonna get stinky, so change the water every couple of days and pick on it from time to time. It will eventually all come off. You could try one more simmer after about two weeks, but don't go for too long or the skull will start to fall apart.

and good luck!

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

[Bull7x6]

Originally Posted by scottishsetter

That skull's fine; just hang it on the wall. (High enough so the dogs can't reach it)

That's funny right there...

[Nw dukn]

Lots more perticular cleaning with a scalpel and hydorgen peroxide will do the trick..

[Blue Feather]

after you soak and boil, take it to a car wash and preasure wash it, that works great for the inside and all the hard to reach places.
here is a link to a great product, its got everything you need and you can get it done from start to finish in one evening..theres enough in it to do 2 elk or about 4 deer.. follow the insturtions and you will have great results.

http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/pro...-bleaching-kit

[Roperguy]

Roperguy - what are the ingredients in the "one step." I mean is it bleach based, amonia, baking soda....?[/quote]


I think it works like oxyclean.
the label says "cleans with oxygen. Does not contain chlorine, bisulfites, organic compounds or phosphates.
CAUTION: Contains percarbonates. Avoid contact with eyes..."

I can tell you, it cleans. I used it to clean out the pot after deep frying a turkey. you know the burned on crud around the top after frying. I filled the pot w/ warm water and this powder (1 tbsp per gal) and let it set for about an hour and everything just rinsed out.
I was impressed.
I'm going to try it in my boat too.

[hilclimber]

If you live somewhere the ground isn't frozen..or not in a hurry to wait for spring, bury the skull up to the pedicles in a garden for about a week...the bugs in the ground will clean it up quick. I did a buck that way this spring after trying everything else to get that last little bit of meat and it worked great. Only problem is i went about 2 1/2 weeks and the skull gott a little too soft. Now i just need to bleach it....but been a little lazy as to that

[mike carlson]

i just get out the power washer works great or go to local car wash with a wand mike

[bigbuck2008]

bleach it or buy the dermacide beateles of ebay a whole colony can clean 2 deer sculls in a day then relist them for sale when done.

[Limbhanger]

Originally Posted by osulogger

You need to let that skull soak. I wouldn't simmer it anymore or it will start falling apart and then you'll really be upset. Just let it soak in some water for about two weeks. It's gonna get stinky, so change the water every couple of days and pick on it from time to time. It will eventually all come off. You could try one more simmer after about two weeks, but don't go for too long or the skull will start to fall apart.

and good luck!

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

That is probably the best way after all the research I did AFTER fooling with a bear skull. Since its cold out it will take longer due to less bacteria growth, but a lot of skull guys are using cheap fish tank heaters in the bucket to accelerate the process. It will stink, but after a few weeks it should be clean.

[KingSlew]

It's weird, but I've had a bear skull soaking in a bucket of tap water in my garage since April and no stink from it. I used a generous amount of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. I've been too busy (lazy) to deal with it as yet. I expected to catch it from the wife who has a very sensitive nose, but she agrees, no odor period. One of these days I'll pull it out and see what's become of it....(grin).

The elk I did last year went anoxic on me (turned black) [bacteria] but when I put the peroxide to it it whitened right up and looks great. If I could just find where I put the teeth, I'd finish it and post a pic...lol!