Bullshot
Well-known member
So over the winter I amassed a couple deadheads found while working in the field, a skull cap from a buck I shot, and an entire intact head from a second buck I shot but never took care of. The warm days of spring were getting very interesting (disgusting) behind my shed… the flies and maggots were having a party, and the neighbor immediately downwind was probably wondering about the smell. Not sustainable. In a pinch, I tried to mitigate the issue but in the process might have stumbled on a new and improved “maceration” method for letting nature take its course without having to bury in dirt or submerge in putrid water that my dog wants to drink or roll around in.
With the specimens all tossed in a large plastic tote, I punched a hole in the bottom for drainage, then filled the tote with Tractor Supply pine shavings up to mid antler. I wet the whole thing down and also left it open to the rain. There is now a very active assemblage of flies and carrion beetles burrowing down into the shavings and I assume good things are happening. No smell whatsoever. No dealing with water, and won’t lose the teeth. I look forward to checking the result in a few months and will report back if this no fuss no muss method does the job.
With the specimens all tossed in a large plastic tote, I punched a hole in the bottom for drainage, then filled the tote with Tractor Supply pine shavings up to mid antler. I wet the whole thing down and also left it open to the rain. There is now a very active assemblage of flies and carrion beetles burrowing down into the shavings and I assume good things are happening. No smell whatsoever. No dealing with water, and won’t lose the teeth. I look forward to checking the result in a few months and will report back if this no fuss no muss method does the job.
