European mount, boil the real skull or mount the rack on fake skull?

[Lundexp]

Those of you that have done european mounts, did you find that it was easier to just boil the skull and deal with the cleaning all the crap off it or just simply sawing the rack and skull plate off and screwing it to a fake skull like the fake skulls found at cabelas?

[Explorer]

Your best option is to locate a taxidermist that has Dermestid Beetles. There is no boiling which can loosen parts on your scull. The beetles will pick it clean and then the taxidermist will finish the job. There is no better way to get a great looking mount. Fairly inexpensive also.

[2Labs]

I just did a boil out on Thanksgiving day on a buck I took during archery season a couple weeks earlier.

1.5-2 hours is all that was required. I did it on the patio with a camp stove I had converted to propane.

It was the first time I had done it and it was very easy. After 1.5 hours I realized the skin was really loose. I took a screw driver and pried the skin up just a bit out of curiosity. Then everything started to come loose. All I needed was a nylon brush to clean off a few stray hairs after everything else was removed.

Mind you, this was only the TOP part of the scull and antlers. I mount them on a plaque and don't do the entire head.

I would think that it wouldn't be much different for a full skull, except that you will need a deeper container for the boil and it might take a little longer.

It was actually fun doing it -- this was the first time I had done it this way.

DO NOT ADD SALT to the water as it will discolor the antlers -- not sure what it would do to the skull itself (advice from a buddy who did all his bucks via the boil technique).

Good luck with your choice.

[Lundexp]

Thanks guys, i've decided to boil the skull which I will start doing very soon... I'll let you know how it comes out

I have boiled the skull before it does work well. I don't know if it is the correct thing but I have then used a pressure washer to clean off the debris. It is a little messy but seems a lot quicker and easier than picking everything off.
Also if you stretch plastic wrap around the antler bases to keep the original colour and submerse the skull in peroxide over night it really whitens the bone up.
Hopefully this helps.

Len
www.bonnybay.com

[BroadwayBill]

Originally Posted by Lundexp

Thanks guys, i've decided to boil the skull which I will start doing very soon... I'll let you know how it comes out

They do make bleach kits for this and they have the instructions right with them on how to do the whole process. Its a little work but completely satisfying each time you look at it.

Bill

[Lundexp]

I boiled it sunday night and it turned out very nice. Definitely will take the boiling route next time vs the fake skull method.