Preparing a deer head for a European mount—a skull cleaned of all tissue and meticulously whitened—is a rewarding process for hunters and taxidermy enthusiasts alike. This detailed guide walks you through each step, ensuring you achieve a stunning, museum-quality result. We'll cover everything from field care to the final whitening process, emphasizing safety and best practices.
Essential Tools and Supplies:
Before you begin, gather these necessary items:
- Sharp knife: A scalpel or bone knife is ideal for precise work.
- Gloves: Protect yourself from bacteria and potential pathogens.
- Safety glasses: Shield your eyes from bone fragments and chemicals.
- Bucket: For soaking the skull.
- Detergent: A mild dish soap will suffice.
- Bleach: For whitening the skull (ensure it's unscented).
- Hydrogen peroxide: A safer alternative to bleach for whitening.
- Water: Plenty of clean water for rinsing.
- Pressure washer (optional): Significantly speeds up the cleaning process.
- Ants: A colony of ants (method explained later).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Phase 1: Field Care
Immediately after harvesting the deer, begin the cleaning process to prevent bacterial growth and decay. This critical first step significantly impacts the final result.
- Remove the hide: Carefully skin the head, ensuring you remove as much meat and tissue as possible from the skull. Pay special attention to the areas around the eyes, ears, and nasal cavity.
- Initial Rinse: Rinse the skull with cold water to remove loose debris and blood.
Phase 2: Fleshing and Cleaning
This stage requires patience and meticulous attention to detail.
- Fleshing: Use your sharp knife to carefully scrape away all remaining flesh and tissue from the skull. Focus on getting into crevices and removing any stubborn bits. A pressure washer can greatly expedite this process but use caution to not damage the bone.
- Soaking: Submerge the skull in a bucket filled with cold water and a mild detergent. Soak for several days, changing the water daily. This will help loosen any remaining tissue.
- Maceration (Optional): If significant tissue remains after soaking, consider maceration. This involves submerging the skull in a container with a screened bottom, allowing insects and bacteria to break down remaining organic material. This usually takes several weeks to months, depending on conditions. This is a slower method, but yields excellent results.
Phase 3: Degreasing
Degreasing is crucial for a pristine white finish. This can be accomplished in a few ways:
- Boiling: Boil the skull in a large pot for several hours, changing the water multiple times. This helps to remove residual fat and grease from the bone. Always ensure proper ventilation and take precautions against burning.
- Detergent Soaking: Soak the skull in a solution of water and a heavy-duty degreaser (following product instructions). This can take several weeks.
Phase 4: Whitening
This is the final step to achieve that brilliant white finish.
- Bleach Method: Mix bleach and water (following product instructions carefully, typically a 1:10 ratio of bleach to water). Submerge the skull and soak for a few hours, checking periodically. Excessive bleaching can weaken the bone. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Method: A safer, less harsh alternative to bleach, hydrogen peroxide (typically 3-6%) can be used. This method generally takes longer but is gentler on the bone. Submerge and soak for several days, changing the solution as needed.
Phase 5: Finishing Touches
- Drying: Allow the skull to air dry completely. This might take several days or even weeks, depending on the climate.
- Ants Method (for delicate specimens): For skulls with intricate structures, consider using a colony of ants, contained in a suitable enclosure, to clean away remaining soft tissue. This method requires specialized knowledge and containment measures.
Safety Precautions:
- Always wear gloves and safety glasses.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Use caution when handling sharp tools and boiling water.
- Follow all product instructions carefully when using bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
By following these steps carefully, you can create a beautiful and lasting European mount of your deer head. Remember, patience is key, and the end result will be worth the effort. Enjoy the process and your stunning trophy!
