Beetles in N. CA

[KNPV PSD]

Tried searching, but found zero...

Any recommendations on where to get a mule deer skull cleaned up by beetles?

 

[sneakypete]

I found this outfit in Santa Rosa on my first search. Pete

 

[JimP]

A lot of taxidermist even have the beetles to take care of it and if they don't they should know someone that does.

 

[KNPV PSD]

View attachment 22223 View attachment 22224I found this outfit in Santa Rosa on my first search. Pete

Thanks, I found one in SJ but he won't do just a cleaning.

The screenshot you put up is tiny and unreadable on my PC. Can you let me know the name?

 

[Sawfish]

I was told by one taxidermist that the weather was too warm in most of CA to maintain a colony of beetles because they mature too fast, and fly the coop so to speak.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Not in california but I see a lot of their beetles work and it's top notch. I'm sure they could help.

https://www.j2taxidermy.com/

 

[sneakypete]

Pacific Skulls European Taxidermy, there in Santa Rosa.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Pacific Skulls European Taxidermy, there in Santa Rosa.

http://www.pacificskulls.com/

 

[Sawfish]

Have you used their services. Looks pricey for a deer skull.

 

[VinnyG]

My grandpa lives in Santa Rosa, and he uses Pacific Skulls, on Calistoga road. I think its around 150$ and they do a good job from what he has said.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Have you used their services. Looks pricey for a deer skull.

I would tend to agree, $225 for an antelope is pricey as well.

The one I mentioned earlier in Montana is $75 for a deer or antelope, and the trifecta (elk, deer, antelope) is only $250.

So in the end you could spend $50 shipping each way for a deer/antelope and still save money. Crazy what stuff costs in California.

 

[JimP]

I used to have skulls done by Skulls Unlimited and they quickly priced themselves out of my business. I started to do my own skulls and I can put one from Skulls Unlimited next to one that I have done and you can not tell the difference.

I had my own way of doing it but a member here posted a recipe on the forum and I have been following it with fantastic results. And all it takes is a day at most, except for some waiting while some whiting agents do their thing.

 

[Sawfish]

I used to have skulls done by Skulls Unlimited and they quickly priced themselves out of my business. I started to do my own skulls and I can put one from Skulls Unlimited next to one that I have done and you can not tell the difference.

I had my own way of doing it but a member here posted a recipe on the forum and I have been following it with fantastic results. And all it takes is a day at most, except for some waiting while some whiting agents do their thing.

It is actually pretty easy, and cheap, once you get the materials. I have done a few deer skulls, but wanted a beetle cleaner primarily for bear skulls to prevent shrinkage. Looks like that is going to be an out of state thing.

 

[JimP]

They still boil the skull to break down the meat, brains, and everything else on the skull. I am not sure if they then degrease it or put it in with the beetles.

There was a Dirty Jobs show on working at Skulls Unlimited and they showed that everything gets put into their stew pot before the beetles get it.

There may be a YouTube video of how they do it if you search for it. The only way that someone wouldn't cook it first would be those that stick in into water and let the rot begin.