Not sure where to post this so I'll put it in this category. I like to clean skulls by maceration, it gets them nice and clean. I just put them in a bucket of water for about three weeks and let the bugs do their thing. After being washed and soaked in peroxide the skulls are nice a white, but yuck! Still a nasty "rotten" smell. Is there anything I can do about this? Perhaps sitting them out in the sun for a few days? I wanted to sell these skulls to customers but not with this kind of smell.
Also, can anyone tell me if there are any laws against selling a cleaned black bear skull in North Carolina. I have one I would like to sell but not sure if it is legal, I know there are a lot of laws against bears.
Thanks!
Amy
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You didn't mention degreasing Amy.... you must *always* degrease. Usually by the time you degrease (even if it looks like it doesn't require it) all your odours are gone.
Best degreaser I have found after factoring all concerns is Rittels SUper Solvent btw =)
Good luck =)
Sorry amy, you can't sell any bear parts in NC. No hide,claws or skulls etc. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
hey, just wanted to let u know that i visited your site a couple of weeks ago. u do excellent work. keep up the great job, and if i am ever in need of a good taxidermist in nc, u will be the first i call!
Are you partially emptying the water as you mascerate? Not sure if you've seen it yet but Evelyn has a nice article on this stuff. I don't think it gets into degreasing but you know your way around "orangeland". Keep up the good work and heres that link if you don't already have it. Peace- Jeff F. http://www.hidetanning.net/SkullCleaning.html