Burying a skull in SoCal

[clem]

Has anyone in the Southern California area ever used the burying method to clean a deer skull? I'm trying it because I'm into the patina look. My question is: for how long? I know the answer to this depends on climate and soil type, so that's why I'm specifically curious if anyone in SoCal has done it. The soil is dry and relatively un-buggy, but it also doesn't freeze here. Appreciate any help.

 

[HuntCrazy]

Where you located? Im in Apple Valley I have bugs i use for my own stuff and I throw a few heads in for friends. If you want that look its pretty quick and easy to do with bugs....

 

[JeffP_Or]

This will be of zero help for the SoCal question but a few things to consider:

• Wrap your antlers with chicken wire or sifting cloth - rats/mice/squirrels/chipmunks/porcupine all love to munch antler this time of year and into winter.
• Look to bury it near an anthill - last small animal skull I did, I put it right next to a mound of small black ants; was good to go by the time I went back and looked about a month later. I left it another few weeks but it was good to go that first time.
• Put yourself a drag or trap anchor next to the head and wire it to that or a tree; all sorts of canine types will try and make of with it otherwise [including your MIL's ankle biter]. They will especially gnaw off the snout....

 

[180ls1]

Yup. I have a nice little garden of them from last year in San Diego. I wait a year and they are always good to go.

 

[clem]

Where you located? Im in Apple Valley I have bugs i use for my own stuff and I throw a few heads in for friends. If you want that look its pretty quick and easy to do with bugs....

That's a very generous offer -- thank you. However, I love a good DIY so I'm gonna try this out in my yard and see what happens. That being said, if I dig it up months down the road to no success, I may give you a yell

 

[clem]

Yup. I have a nice little garden of them from last year in San Diego. I wait a year and they are always good to go.

Great to know! I'll put it in my calendar.

 

[Beendare]

Do the beetles.

Burying leaves all kinds of junk and discoloration still on the skull especially in dry soil.

 

[bliner]

Google maceration for skulls, that’s how I do mine. It’s stinky but very effective!

 

[Pharmseller]

Sorry, I was looking for a different kind of advice.




P

 

[idelkslayer]

Mix in some manure or kitchen scraps so that you are basically composting around the skull. I have placed skulls in plastic milk crates and filled them up with composting materials (manure, hay, leaves, etc.) and the skulls are usually ready in 4-6 weeks. Then it is a bit of scrubbing to get the dirt off, degrease bath, and done. It usually results in a light buckskin color on the bone.

Usually I boil skulls but sometimes I do it this way just for the hell of the it and some variety.