Submitted by Tom H. on 5/26/99. ( t.hall@sno.net )
I buried my bear skull out in the bush about 2 feet deep. How long should i leave it for, i want it completly clean ? Thanks.
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This response submitted by George Roof on 5/26/99. ( georoof@aol.com )
Tom,
I've got some bad news for you. The answer is maybe never.
Burying a skull can prolong the decaying process, and if they are to be left out for scavengers, putting it in a ventilated box and placing it a wooded area where the natural bugs and beetles can get to it and marauding dogs and cats can't will work better. Obviously the summer is even better.
The best way to clean a bear skull without paying someone with the beetles is to submerge the head in a 5 gallon bucket of water. It won't smell and neither will you UNLESS you touch the water. After a few months, dump the water on a screen board (You'll be able to find the loose teeth and save them) and hose it off with tap water. Resubmerge 2 or 3 more times till all the flesh is gone. The skull will be completely clean and not tinted by dirt, grass, and mildew. Research Mannikens sells a good chemical/peroxide combo to bleach your skull. Glue the teeth back in and paint liberally with white Elmers glue. Done deal.
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