just to see if i have it right...

Submitted by Ray on 12/29/2003. ( raymondarona@aol.com ) 64.12.96.231

1-skin and clean skull as much as possible
2-simmer skull with salsoda (mix 1/2 cup salsoda per gallon of water for about an hour) hose off gel remains, and let dry
3-submerge skull in water and 40% peroxide mix at a 50/50 ratio. leave in until desired whiteness. Occassionally brushing.
**keep antlers away from salsoda and peroxide.
Thanks to all who have responded, it's apparent that the hunting tradition is very much alive and well, as it will be for many geneation. Thanks for all your help,After 15 years of hunting this has turned out to be another season of learning...

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I would...

This response submitted by Raven on 12/29/2003. ( ) 24.150.166.254

I would omit the 40% peroxide. It is hard to obtain in some places as you can only get it from specialty shops and beauty salons AND... it can burn you. 3% peroxide solution like that used for cuts and scrapes will whiten your bone material, will not burn you and if you submerse the skull plate into it - it will soak into the bone and serve as a disinfectant (which being topical - the 40% paste won't do).

On a related note - if the kit you chose to mount your antlers with has material to cover the skull plate - whitening isn't required at all. It only has to be cleaned and degreased. Whitening is for aesthetic purposes only unless like I said above you use 3% in which case it can disinfect as well.

If after your sal soda application you find you are still encountering some grease... soak in a solution of water and DAWN detergent or order some degreaser from a taxidermy supplier.

Other than that it looks like you are on your way =)


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