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How long do you bury your deer heads?

Ben C

Active Member
Feb 15, 2021
156
138
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I buried mine for about 10 months under a pear tree in Michigan. Some of the bone is soft but I'm really happy with it. Maybe I'll try 8 next time
 

Andrew920

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 26, 2022
395
996
93
Michigan
How do you do this?
How large is your pot?
Do you do this outside?
The how long depends on how stripped down you get the skull beforehand. Large pot. And yes do it outside. You’ll need a burner, large pot, cellophane, electrical or duct tape, forceps(these remove biological matter pretty well), and hydrogen peroxide.

I’m slow at it so it takes a couple of hours. If you search YT there are some pretty good instructional videos.
 
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Zero One Actual

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 8, 2020
2,179
4,402
113
South Eastern United States
How do you do this?
How large is your pot?
Do you do this outside?
 

Blacksmith

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 10, 2018
2,055
3,074
113
69
Bucyrus OH
LOCATION
Bucyrus OH
How do you do this?
How large is your pot?
Do you do this outside?
Pull the hide and Eyes, Simmer in a pot over a fire, stove, or turkey roaster. Can be done indoors if done fresh, it won't smell. Clean off w/pressure washer. Dry and coat w/40 volume hair bleach from a hairdresser, Place in sun to dry and it will turn bright white. Clear coat. Simple and quick.
 
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Jagger0502

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 26, 2020
504
1,530
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If you do bury it, take a 5 gal bucket and cut the bottom out of it, dig your hole and put the scull in and put sand in it up to the anger base then cover it with some wood chips. This will help it not to stain like it will in the dirt and it will be easier to bleach. Also cover the antlers in something or throw a black bag over them to keep them from sun bleaching. I have wrapped them in painters tape and it worked ok… a bag works just as well and less work. It takes about 2 months to get cleaned off. It looks better if you pull the hide off and clean it up a bit before you bury it but at that point just boil it and bleach or peroxide it after.

if you have a field with an ant hill in it, bury It right next to that the same way and it will be clean in a couple weeks.

boiling is faster and looks better.
 

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 13, 2020
5,067
9,801
113
The Mitten
So pulled my head from November. Probably could have took it out a little while ago. I had a test varment I buried in February. Few bugs on there. But clean for the most part. So 4 months seems to be sufficient.
 

ShooterMike

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2020
951
1,021
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Caroline County, Virginia
If you do bury it, take a 5 gal bucket and cut the bottom out of it, dig your hole and put the scull in and put sand in it up to the anger base then cover it with some wood chips. This will help it not to stain like it will in the dirt and it will be easier to bleach. Also cover the antlers in something or throw a black bag over them to keep them from sun bleaching. I have wrapped them in painters tape and it worked ok… a bag works just as well and less work. It takes about 2 months to get cleaned off. It looks better if you pull the hide off and clean it up a bit before you bury it but at that point just boil it and bleach or peroxide it after.

if you have a field with an ant hill in it, bury It right next to that the same way and it will be clean in a couple weeks.

boiling is faster and looks better.
For me, the satin color that comes from burying in the dirt, is a primary reason for doing that method. Otherwise, just soak in a bucket of water and change it out every 5-7 days, while the bacteria in the water easts away the remaining tissue.

Burying takes a long time, but the end result of the dirt "patina" makes a more rustic natural look.
 
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Jagger0502

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 26, 2020
504
1,530
93
For me, the satin color that comes from burying in the dirt, is a primary reason for doing that method. Otherwise, just soak in a bucket of water and change it out every 5-7 days, while the bacteria in the water easts away the remaining tissue.

Burying takes a long time, but the end result of the dirt "patina" makes a more rustic natural look.
I can’t disagree, a few walnut hulls in a bucket of water will also do this. I prefer to take a little torch to it, (I don’t, I have a guy that does these for me like this) to make it looked weathered.

1688261353616.jpeg
 
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Jammintree

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 5, 2021
2,207
4,641
113
45
For me, the satin color that comes from burying in the dirt, is a primary reason for doing that method. Otherwise, just soak in a bucket of water and change it out every 5-7 days, while the bacteria in the water easts away the remaining tissue.

Burying takes a long time, but the end result of the dirt "patina" makes a more rustic natural look.
I’d like to see some examples of buried skulls. Can y’all show us your work?
 
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Noonespecial

Well-Known Member
Dec 10, 2019
448
550
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45
I simply cut the head off and bury it. I do not remove anything and wait 6-8 months before digging them up. Hose it off let dry for 24 hours and spray paint them white. Look just the same as a professional which I’ve had done for over $100 but not anymore. Here are the last three I did for my sons bucks.
 

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ShooterMike

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2020
951
1,021
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51
Caroline County, Virginia
This is what 8 months does. The remnants washed off easily with a low pressure hose.

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Semper Fi,
Mike