If you've recently harvested a deer and you're interested in preserving its skull for a mount, display, or just as a unique keepsake, cleaning the skull is the first step to achieving a finished product. One of the most effective and traditional ways to clean a deer skull is using the boiling method. It’s simple, relatively quick, and can give you beautiful results if done properly.
In this guide, we'll walk you through each step of the process to ensure you can clean the skull effectively while maintaining its integrity. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a beginner, you'll find that cleaning a deer skull is easier than it may seem.
What You’ll Need:
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A deer skull (obviously!)
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Large pot (big enough to submerge the skull)
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Water
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Borax powder (optional, for odor control)
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Old gloves
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Wooden spoon or tongs (for handling the skull)
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Pressure washer (optional, for finishing touches)
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Bleach or hydrogen peroxide (for whitening, optional)
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Plastic bags and trash bags (for disposal)
Step 1: Preparing the Skull
Before you start boiling, it's important to remove any large pieces of flesh, muscle, or other debris. You can do this by:
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Skinning the Deer Head: Remove the skin, ears, and eyes from the skull. This can be done either by using a sharp knife or scissors.
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Removing the Brain Matter: If you're not interested in saving the brain, carefully scrape it out. You can use a screwdriver or similar tool to break open the skull at the base and remove the brain matter.
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Cutting Off the Lower Jaw (optional): If you want to preserve the lower jaw, you can cut it off now, but many people prefer to leave it attached for the complete look.
Step 2: Boiling the Skull
Now that the skull is prepped, it's time to start the boiling process.
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Place the Skull in the Pot: Fill a large pot with water and carefully place the skull in the pot. The skull should be fully submerged.
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Bring to a Boil: Put the pot on the stove and bring the water to a slow boil. Keep the water at a steady, low simmer rather than a rolling boil, as high heat can cause the skull to become brittle.
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Boil for 1-3 Hours: Depending on the size of the skull and how much meat and tissue is still attached, you’ll want to let it simmer for anywhere between 1 to 3 hours. Keep an eye on the skull to ensure it doesn’t get too hot or begin to crack.
Tip: You can add a little Borax to the water to help with odor and to break down fat. Around 1 cup of Borax per gallon of water should suffice.
Step 3: Scraping Off the Remaining Tissue
After the skull has been boiled, you’ll need to remove the remaining tissue, which should be loosened by the boiling process.
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Remove the Skull from the Pot: Using tongs or a wooden spoon, carefully remove the skull from the pot. Allow it to cool slightly before handling.
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Scrape the Tissue: With a scraper or stiff brush, begin removing any remaining tissue, meat, and fat. Be gentle with the skull, especially around the delicate areas such as the nasal cavities, eye sockets, and antler bases.
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Check for Leftover Brain Matter: If there’s still brain matter inside the skull, use a hose to flush it out or a wire brush to clean the inner cavity.
Step 4: Cleaning and Whitening the Skull (Optional)
Once you’ve removed all the meat and tissue, you may choose to whiten the skull and give it that classic, clean appearance.
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Whitening the Skull with Hydrogen Peroxide: Place the skull in a large container and cover it with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let the skull soak for 24-48 hours in the peroxide solution, which will help bleach and whiten the bone. Make sure to use a plastic container to avoid damaging the skull with chemicals.
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Use a Pressure Washer (Optional): If you're looking for a more aggressive method to clean the skull, you can use a pressure washer to remove any remaining tissue. Be careful not to damage the skull with high pressure, and avoid using this method on fragile bones or antlers.
Step 5: Drying and Final Touches
Once the skull is clean and white, you’ll need to let it dry completely before proceeding with any display or mounting:
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Let the Skull Air Dry: Set the skull in a dry, well-ventilated area, preferably outside, to allow it to dry thoroughly. This could take a few days, depending on the weather and humidity.
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Reattach the Lower Jaw (Optional): If you removed the lower jaw, now is the time to reattach it using epoxy or glue to ensure it stays in place.
Step 6: Displaying Your Deer Skull
Once your skull is completely clean, dried, and ready to go, it’s time to decide how you want to display it. You can:
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Mount it on a plaque.
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Hang it as is with a simple hook.
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Add decorative elements, like a rustic wooden mount, to enhance the look.
Alternatively, you can keep it as a piece of wildlife art or use it in other projects!
Conclusion
Cleaning a deer skull using the boiling method is a rewarding, hands-on way to preserve the memory of your hunt. While it takes patience and attention to detail, the end result will be a beautifully clean skull that you can proudly display. Whether you want to showcase your hunting skills or create a one-of-a-kind home decoration, a properly cleaned and preserved skull makes for an impressive and meaningful trophy.
With the right tools and a little know-how, you’ll soon have a skull ready to stand the test of time—preserving not just the bone but the memories of the hunt itself.