Roe trophy prep help please

[MBW]

The mrs shot her first buck the other night there so I'm going to make her a trophy from it, only problem is I haven't done any trophy prep for years and even then it was two roe while at college

 

Now I've skinned and cut it and removed as much flesh/gunk as possible, now this is where I need some help, as I have forgotten a lot of the rest of the job, I'm goin to pressure wash it to clean the rest of the stuff off it, do I do this before or after boiling when the bone is soft?

 

Also when I boil it I seem to remember something being added the the boiler with the water to help clean the skull. Any ideas what it might have been? I was thinking peroxide but don't fancy finding out I remembered wrong the hard way,

 

Also when it comes time to peroxide it i remember covering the skull in cotton wool and then making sure it was saturated in peroxide but how long so I leave it for? Or can you tell by eye when it is ready?

[rtaylor]

I've done a few head but I'm sure someone with more experience will add to this post.

 

When I did them I removed as much skin, meat, brains etc. as possible. Then put the head in a big pan of water and bring to the boil. Very important is the water only goes to the bottom of the pedicals (the knobbly bit that bulges out at the bottom of the antlers), if it boils above the pedicals it will turn them white.

 

You defiantly don't want the bones to go soft as they will then go brittle. Try it for 20 mins on the boil then have a go with the pressure washer, don't start with the jet 3 inches away. Start small and build up to it. You will almost certainly find the bits of bone in the nose will all fall out or break away.

 

If it doesn't all come away try boiling for another 15-20 mins and have another go.

 

I have never used peroxide as the heads I have done have always come out a satisfactory white. But I seem to remember your idea of cotton wool is the way it's done (don't quote me on this). Personally I think they look artificial when they are bleached brilliant white, Bone has a slightly yellow tinge so I don't go past that.

 

There are quite a few pictures on the internet of where to cut the skull to mount it. I'm sure the jigs make it much easier but I have always used a hand saw or a hacksaw.

 

Hope this helps.

Cheer Roger

[camokid]

do all the above then once all the rubbish off.. get a tub fill it with a mix of cold water and peroxide (you buy that from the chemist ) and place the skull in do not let the antlers go under water as they will fade there colour leave to soak for 2 hours then wash with cold water again dry and done ..

 

just a tip when doing the boil put some washing powder in the water it will act as a de greaser..

 

any more help pm me i do skulls weekly