How to Bleach Deer Skulls

Cleaning a deer skull is a time-consuming, messy job. It involves dealing with a grotesque-looking deer skull and hours of boiling, in essence, a form of deer head soup. It is a job perhaps best left to the professionals. However, skull mounts, or European mounts, have become very popular in recent years as the price of traditional shoulder mounts has gone up. The task isn't particularly difficult, but it can be quite laborious and messy.

Things You'll Need

  • Large metal pot
  • Outdoor burner
  • Water
  • Aluminum foil
  • Knife
  • Needle-nosed pliers
  • Dental pick
  • White gas
  • 40 percent hydrogen peroxide
  • Magnesium carbonate
  • Toothbrush
  • Dust mask
  • Rubber gloves
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Instructions

  1. Preparing the Skull

    • 1

      Cut off all the hide on the skull with a knife.

    • 2

      Remove the tongue and as much flesh as possible.

    • 3

      Wrap the bases of the antlers in aluminum foil to prevent them from getting wet or burning.

    • 4

      Place the skull into a metal pot that is large enough to hold it.

    • 5

      Fill the pot with water to just below the antlers.

    • 6

      Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer.

    • 7

      Remove the skull and pick away at the softened flesh with a knife, dental pick and needle-nosed pliers. Return skull to the hot water and repeat as necessary. Keep adding water as it boils off to keep the top of the skull submerged.

    • 8

      Remove the eyes, brain and nasal passages with the needle-nosed pliers. Boil and remove any remaining flesh until it is completely gone.

    • 9

      Allow the skull to dry, then soak it in white gas overnight to remove grease and oil, keeping the antlers covered and out of the white gas.

    Bleaching the Skull

    • 10

      Mix the 40 percent hydrogen peroxide and magnesium carbonate per instructions, if purchased as a kit. Otherwise, mix to create a thick paste.

    • 11

      Brush the paste onto the entire skull. Be sure that none of the paste touches the antlers.

    • 12

      Place the skull in the sun to dry for three days.

    • 13

      Brush off the paste and rinse with water.