Question on scoring bear skull

[Swamphunter]

My bear skull measured 18 8/16 (green score). Now, how much will that shrink after the drying period? Will it still be over the 18" I need to make P&Y?? It shouldn't shrink more than 1/2" should it?

Thanks

[Guest bonecollector34]

I score for Safari Club International.

It would be unusual to lose 1/2" on your 60 day drying period, assuming you measured it correctly the first time.

Don't boil it or let your taxidermist boil it. if you must get it cleaned use beetles, if not clean it by hand as best you can and let er sit.

fatty

[Swamphunter]

I score for Safari Club International.

It would be unusual to lose 1/2" on your 60 day drying period, assuming you measured it correctly the first time.

Don't boil it or let your taxidermist boil it. if you must get it cleaned use beetles, if not clean it by hand as best you can and let er sit.

fatty

I called them and the only way they do it is boil it.

[Leo]

I called them and the only way they do it is boil it.

Yikes! Marty is right. Boiling absolutely will shrink a skull. In your case you only need to loose 3% to loose that half inch. That's truly not necessarily impossible. You might still make it but I don't know

IMHO, beetles are THE way to go with bear skulls.

I hope it works out for you. I really do

[Strut10]

You won't lose 1/2" so long as you don't boil it.

Sounds like it's time to call another taxidermist. My bear skull went to a beetle facility and came back VERY nice. I can hook you up with my taxidermist here in PA if you want.

[stevebeilgard]

i think it's cheating, but most in the book freeze their head until after the drying period. no shrinkage that way. then, boil it or whatever. i've never been interested in "the book", so i've never done that but i do know it's the common practice.