How do I clean a coyote skull?

Submitted by Steve S on 1/7/05 at 2:00 PM. ( ) 64.80.236.106

I shot a coyote in Dec and after skinning it i buried the skull so the bugs would clean it. Is this a good way of cleaning it? My wife would have flipped out if I boiled it in the house so I buried it hoping by spring it would be clean.
Also, what do I do when i dig it up, someone told me to bleach it or use peroxide?

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Hope this Helps

This response submitted by Numbskull on 1/7/05 at 2:21 PM. ( numbskullz4@yahoo.com ) 4.224.96.86

Steve,
In the spring when you dig up your skull,if it is completely clean,you'll need to degrease the skull before you whiten it. I soak mine in Ajax meat degreaser and then change the water every couple of days untill its completely clean. I use 40% peroxide and Clairol Simply White mixture to whiten the skull. You can get both at a beauty supply store, I get mine at Sallys. I mix peroxide and Simply white into a paste and paint on the skull and then put skull into a clear plastic bag and place in the sun. I usually apply a little more whitener after a few days and then rinse off a few days later.Hope that helps.


Hope this Helps

This response submitted by Numbskull on 1/7/05 at 2:21 PM. ( numbskullz4@yahoo.com ) 4.224.96.86

Steve,
In the spring when you dig up your skull,if it is completely clean,you'll need to degrease the skull before you whiten it. I soak mine in Ajax meat degreaser and then change the water every couple of days untill its completely clean. I use 40% peroxide and Clairol Simply White mixture to whiten the skull. You can get both at a beauty supply store, I get mine at Sallys. I mix peroxide and Simply white into a paste and paint on the skull and then put skull into a clear plastic bag and place in the sun. I usually apply a little more whitener after a few days and then rinse off a few days later.Hope that helps.


Thanks

This response submitted by Steve S on 1/7/05 at 3:11 PM. ( ) 64.80.236.106

Thanks for the advice.
How long should I leave the skull buried for?
The eyes and the brain were still in it when i buried it.


Being winter

This response submitted by Bradlee on 1/7/05 at 7:07 PM. ( ) 12.215.49.73

I would say check on it as Numbskull sugested . In the spring . Not too many insects out there right now . Me and my neighbor "Jungle " have a ten point buck out there right now . We will go dig it up around middle april . Then , if need be we can finish it off by maceration ! Bradlee


I know this sounds wierd...

This response submitted by sugarbear 11 on 1/22/05 at 11:12 AM. ( ) 205.247.132.34

but it works! you can take a container and fill it with water put the skull in the water after a few days dump the container, rinse theskull off replace water ane repeat untill clean. best thing is it's cleaner and you can keep the nasal cavaties and teeth intact. hope this helps! sb11


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