Thread: Boiling stags heads, why do some come out yellow and some white?

Originally Posted by Nick.m

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I have a big stainless steel pot I bought on trademe.
Can't remember the size but it's been good. Just need to refine my own technique.

Just remember not to have the Pedicle covered in boiling water. It won’t do the antlers any good, they can separate from the skull.
I hook mine up with some wire to keep them out of the water.
Also you can do yourself a favour and run a wood saw through the skull BEFORE BOILING after skinning, just under the eye socket. Takes the teeth off and gives you access to the brain which you can then scoop out before the boil. Cuts boiling time down. They can then be laid flat on a shield if you want to mount them that way.

Like your set up though.

A taxidermist told me not to boil them for too long. Did a skullcap off a red the other day, 15 mins or even less was all it took. Used to do quite a few whole skulls for about 45 min max. The bone comes out better and doesn't go brittle over time.

Yep you only need to bring them to the boil for 15 mins or so before water blasting. Spray with peroxide or weak bleach solution afterwards


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Here’s a pic of after the cut with a wood saw between the upper teeth and the eyeball socket.

Brain cavity uncovered for easy removal.

Waterline up to pedicels but not covering them.

Once cooked and water blasted.


Now just have it soaking overnight in a solution of napisan to whiten the skull.
Then hang to dry.

I've had mine in for a short boil again with a good scoop of washing powder and alot more fat came out of the bone. Came out pretty good once fully dry and bleached. Will add a pic when I get the chance

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

Bit of a thread hijack but what do you guys use to boil your heads up in? Is there a cheap DIY option?

@Chur Bay go into your local Warehouse, they have massive cooking pots for bugger all.

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

Bit of a thread hijack but what do you guys use to boil your heads up in? Is there a cheap DIY option?

Steel drinks bin, Briscoes do/did have for less than $20 (wait for the never to be repeated sale) stag skull fits in nicely, used it twice hasn’t leaked…yet

I've only done a few heads, but an old head (+1 week old) then boiled leaves the skull yellow. A fresh head boiled come out whiter and cleaner.

My thoughts are the fats/oils penetrate into the skull the longer you leave it unattended.

That’s about it @Rusky the longer you leave them the worse they will get. Oh and don’t bury them in the garden
I added two table spoons of nappie san and soaked the last one over night after I had boiled and water blasted him.
Came up a treat. I’d had him in the freezer for a week so as you can see was a little yellow.

Another option for red heads and the cut line.