Bear Skull Cleaning - Keeping the teeth as is

[dlivermore0826]

I've done lots of whitetails and some beavers using maceration but never a predator. Normal macerate for around 2/3 weeks, then degrease for around 2 weeks. Any thoughts on how much longer a bear takes at each step?

 

[Bowhunt_406]

I've done lots of whitetails and some beavers using maceration but never a predator. Normal macerate for around 2/3 weeks, then degrease for around 2 weeks. Any thoughts on how much longer a bear takes at each step?

Depends largely on how much meat you leave on when macerating. I’ve seen it take close to a month to be bare bone. Degreasing can vary from bear to bear but usually if done right will take 6-8 months.

 

[Nick87]

Degreasing can vary from bear to bear but usually if done right will take 6-8 months.

This has been my experience even with deer at times. The guys who claim to degrease at 120 in a few weeks. I'd like to see the skulls after a year or so. Not saying it can't be done. I'm always looking forward to learning.

 

[bowhuntnnut]

For degreasing look up Trubond. Lipi solve 77 and 55. Get them both and use a 5 gallon buck with an aquarium heater as previously mentioned. They are the best that I've found besides trike.

 

[wyoboypt]

I’m doing a bear skull for a friend. The top canines came out easy after a 4 day maceration. But it’s been degreasing for a week and a half and I still can’t get the bottom canines out. They come out about a quarter of an inch or less and get stuck due to the root being massive. How can I get them out without damaging the jaw bone? He wants the teeth to stay the same color.

 

[bowhuntnnut]

I’m doing a bear skull for a friend. The top canines came out easy after a 4 day maceration. But it’s been degreasing for a week and a half and I still can’t get the bottom canines out. They come out about a quarter of an inch or less and get stuck due to the root being massive. How can I get them out without damaging the jaw bone? He wants the teeth to stay the same color.

If youre truly macerating it 4 days is not enough. Take it out of whatever youre using to degrease it and put it back in plain water snd add some ridx. Let it soak for s couple of weeks. They should come right out along with the rest of the teeth