dead head ?'s

[fishinghunter14]

So i found a couple dead head mulies that still have the hide on them. I was wondering if someone knew how to get the dried hide off them cause i cant cut it off with a knife and i wanna do a Euro mount with it. anybody know some tricks...
$MAVERICK$

 

[Hunting_Oregon]

Just boil it in water or maybe try just soaking it.
That works everytime but does bring back the smell.

"Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid."
- John Wayne

 

[monstermuleyman]

I agree, just boil it outside in a big pot on your camp chef, or bury it out side and cover it with a garbage can and leave it out there all summer... the bugs will clean it out for you..

 

[fishinghunter14]

thanks guys cant really bury neighbor dogs will dig them up. how long does it generally take tryin to get a time frame also

$MAVERICK$

 

[smilesgv]

Simmer it in a pot with sal soda (avaliable in Arm & Hammer brand or tazxidermy supply).

 

[Elmacho]

if you cook it too long, bones will seprate.
KEEP THE ANTLERS OUT OF THE WATER, ESPECIALLY IF COOKING IT, YOU'LL LOSE THE COLOR
I'd put it in a bucket with the antlers above water. leave it a couple days and cut the hide off. once the hide is off, if there is still tissue attached, simmer just below boiling for about 30 minutes with sal soda or 20 mule team borax--don;t boil. take a wire brush an give it a good scraping right outta the pot. repeat once or twice and you will be done. wire brush will not hurt it.

It usually takes me about 2-3 hours start to finish.

once its really clean, get some beauticians peroxide, add about 2 cups to the pot, soak for 10 minutes and hang outside to dry......that is if you want it to be super white, not natural color....

 

[mulebuck]

Like HO said, if you boil the whole thing you will definitely bring back that lovely smell. Then you have to take it back out to skin it.

I've done it a few ways. Any way will surely be a pain in the arse though.
Using a knife I'll start to pry/cut the hide at the pedicles. From there I'll use either needle nose pliers or even channel locks to peel the hide off in strips. Keep using the knife to cut up additional edges to strip. You probably won't be able to strip into the tear ducts, eyes, or nasal cavity. Should take roughly a half hour to remove most of the hide. From here I'll boil 3-4 hours in water only for the euro process.

Be sure to post pix of the finished product. Have fun!

 

[buckshed]

Atleast show us some pictures of the head it must be decent if your going through all the effort and smell to clean it

 

[fishinghunter14]

im waiting to get a camera the pictures i have now are too large to post but ill get them on asap
$MAVERICK$

 

[jackrussel]

I would bury the heads, much better for the skulls than boiling. If your neighbor cannot keep his dogs off your property, I suggest you set up some snares. Very effective.