Gathering Your Arsenal: Preparing for the Task
Protective Gear
Gloves: Heavy-duty rubber or nitrile gloves are your best friends. They protect your hands from bacteria and any harsh chemicals you’ll be using.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles are crucial to shield your eyes from splashes, bone fragments, and any other debris that might fly around.
Respiratory Protection: A dust mask or, ideally, a respirator with appropriate cartridges, is highly recommended, especially when dealing with bone dust and chemicals. The respirator filters particles, protecting you from inhaling them.
Essential Tools
Sharp Knife: A sharp skinning knife is non-negotiable. It’s crucial for precise cuts when removing the skin. Having a couple of sizes can be beneficial.
Saw: A bone saw or a saw specifically designed for taxidermy is necessary for separating the head from the body and possibly for accessing the brain cavity.
Wire: Sturdy wire will come in handy for pulling out the brain and cleaning the skull’s interior.
Buckets and Containers: You will need various buckets and containers for soaking, degreasing, and storing solutions.
Scrapers: Use different scrapers to remove meat and tissue.
Tweezers or Pliers: Fine-tipped tweezers and pliers are helpful for removing small pieces of tissue or bone.
Cleaning Agents and Materials
Degreaser: Choose a degreaser that works, such as a degreasing soap or a strong laundry detergent.
Borax: It can work to soak and dry your head.
Whitening Agent: Choose from household peroxide, a professional taxidermy whitening agent, or other peroxide.
Water: Clean water is essential throughout the process.
Cotton Balls or a Brush: Useful for applying whitening agents.
Carefully inspect the deer head. Look for any damage, such as bullet holes, broken antlers, or areas of decomposition. Addressing these issues early on will ensure a better outcome.
Releasing the Hide: The Art of Skinning
Skinning is arguably the most critical, and time-consuming, step in cleaning a deer head. It’s during this phase that you set the groundwork for a clean and beautiful finished product. Working methodically and carefully will prevent tears in the skin, and leave you with more to work with.
Severing the Head
Begin by severing the head from the body. With a sharp saw, make a clean cut through the neck vertebrae. If you want to mount it you can do this further down so you can mount the head in a more natural posture.
Making Initial Cuts
Using a sharp knife, start by making a careful incision around the base of the antlers. Then, continue cutting around the base of the antlers, allowing for the skin to be separated.
Removing Facial Skin
Gently start separating the skin from the skull, working your way down the face. Be incredibly careful around the eyes, lips, and nose. These areas require precise cuts to avoid damage.
Skinning the Ears
Turning your attention to the ears, carefully peel back the skin. Use the knife to separate the skin from the cartilage of the ears. This can be time-consuming, and patience is key.
Facial Detailing
Carefully separate the skin from the muscles of the face. Use your knife to remove the skin around the lips and nose.
Final Cut
Ensure that all of the skin is detached from the head.
Once you’ve removed the skin, you’ll have access to the meat and other internal tissues.
Reaching the Brain: Brain Removal
The brain is a source of organic matter that, if left untreated, can cause staining, foul odors, and attract unwanted pests. It is crucial to remove the entire brain. There are different methods for this, and each takes a bit of practice.
Through the Foramen Magnum
The foramen magnum is the large opening at the base of the skull where the spinal cord connects to the brain. Insert a sturdy wire or a tool with a hook into the opening and begin scraping and pulling at the brain tissue. Use a flushing method using pressurized water to remove the remainder of the material.
Accessing from the Skull
You can also use a saw to cut a small section from the top of the skull, providing better access to the brain. Once the opening is sufficient, use tools to extract the tissue.
Cleaning the Cavity
Use a strong stream of water and scraping tools to thoroughly clean the inside of the skull. You want to remove any lingering brain tissue.
Boiling/Simmering: The Debate
Boiling or simmering the skull can help remove remaining tissue, but it’s a controversial step. If done incorrectly, it can lead to damage.
Boiling
Submerge the skull in a pot of water.
Slowly bring the water to a boil.
Maintain a gentle boil for a limited time.
Remove the skull and remove any remaining meat or tissue.
It is important to know that prolonged boiling can damage bone, causing it to become brittle and porous.
Simmering
Submerge the skull in a pot of water.
Bring the water to a simmer.
Maintain a gentle simmer for a longer duration.
Monitor the skull carefully and remove tissue as it loosens.
Simmering is considered a gentler approach, reducing the risk of bone damage.
You can remove the skull and get rid of the unwanted matter.
Degreasing: Oil Removal
Deer skulls contain natural oils that can cause discoloration and prevent the whitening process from working effectively. Degreasing is essential for achieving a clean, bright finish.
Soaking in a Degreasing Solution
Submerge the skull in a bucket of water mixed with a degreaser.
Change the water and degreaser every few days, depending on how dirty it looks.
Use a brush or scrubbing tool to get rid of the dirt.
Monitoring the Process
The skull will release oils, which can be seen as a yellowish film on the surface of the water. The degreasing process may take several weeks or months, depending on the size of the skull and the amount of natural oils.
Whitening: Brightening the Trophy
Once the skull is thoroughly degreased, it’s time to whiten it. This process gives the skull its classic, pristine appearance.
Applying the Whitening Agent
Mix hydrogen peroxide with water.
Carefully apply the solution to the skull, ensuring complete coverage.
You can submerge the skull or use a brush to apply the solution.
Whitening Duration
Let the whitening agent sit for the recommended time. This time varies depending on the whitening agent you’re using.
Finishing Touches: Drying and Display
With the cleaning and whitening complete, it’s time to finish the trophy.
Drying
Rinse the skull to remove any excess whitening agent.
Allow the skull to dry completely in a well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight.
Sealing (Optional)
You can apply a sealant to protect the bone.
Mounting and Display
Once the skull is completely dry, you can mount it on a plaque or other display.
The antlers will look spectacular.
Addressing Common Concerns: Troubleshooting and Solutions
Even with the best techniques, issues can arise during the cleaning process. Knowing how to address these problems will ensure a successful outcome.
Lingering Odors
Thorough degreasing and proper brain removal are key to preventing odors. If odors persist, you might need to degrease the skull again or re-examine the brain removal.
Pest Control
Pests, such as dermestid beetles, can be a significant problem. Store the skull in a pest-proof area.
Bone Damage
The most common damage is bone damage. Work carefully and avoid boiling for extended periods.
Conclusion: Preserving Your Trophy
Learning how to clean a deer head is a rewarding experience. The satisfaction of transforming a rough trophy into a beautiful, preserved piece is immense. By following the steps in this guide, practicing patience, and prioritizing safety, you’ll be able to preserve your trophy for years. The cleaned deer head will be a testament to your skills, and a lasting reminder of your time in the wild. The journey is not just about the finished product; it’s about the experience, the dedication, and the respect you have for nature. You will love the final result!
