Professional Custom Skull Cleaning Service
Dermestid beetle method for museum quality European and other skull mounts.
Serving Sportsman, Taxidermists, Museums, Schools, Teachers, Artists, Collectors, and others.
Ronell Skinner
P.O. Box 4153
Bedford, Wy 83112
307-883-2539
ronell@skinnersskullshop.com
Why the Beetle Method?
Skull cleaning with dermestid beetles is far superior to boiling. Beetles thoroughly clean without damaging delicate nasal bone structure, or causing bone separation as boiling can. By not boiling, minimum shrinkage occurs, which is a major factor for scoring trophy-class heads for B&C, P&Y, or SCI records.
Degreasing and Whitening
After the beetles have finished their work, usually 36 hours for a deer sized skull, the skull is then degreased. This is necessary for a long lasting quality skull. After degreasing the skull undergoes a whitening process. This process is superior to bleaching, which causes flaking. The end result is a clean, white, grease less trophy skull. We will get your skull as white as possible, however, the degree of whiteness does vary depending on several factors, including: condition of the specimen, naturally occurring oils in the bone, and age and species of the animal.
Click here to view samples of finished skulls
(Be patient, high resolution pictures may take a couple of minutes to load)
Price List 2007
Prepared by you
Prepared by us
Unskinned – additional charge
Small Skulls (badger, raccoon, beaver, etc.)
Coyote, bobcat, fox, etc.
Mountain Lion
Black bear, wolf, & similar size
Deer *, antelope*, javelina*, boar* & similar size
Elk *, caribou *, sheep (wild) *, grizzly, & similar size
Moose **
Bison **, cattle **
Bison, cattle (mature bull)
Call for prices on species not listed
$30
$45
$60
$70
$75
$95
$110
$120
$135
$40
$55
$70
$85
$90
$110
$135
$145
$160
-
-
-
-
$10
$15
$20
$20
$20
* $15 additional charge for lower jaw ** $25 charge for lower jaw
Velvet antlers additional 40%
All prices include degreasing and whitening (No plaques) For beetle cleaning only: 50% of listed price
Spoiled and/or maggots add 40%
Mummified add 20%
Clear coat for deer size and smaller skulls:
$10
Elk size and larger: $20
Commercial taxidermist: Call for discount
Prepared by you means:
skinned, neck vertebrae removed, eyes removed including tissue underneath, remove tongue and detach the jaw, trim away excess flesh, and remove brain.
Skulls that are spoiled, exposed to maggots, or mummified can be processed, but additional charges apply. Contact us for details.
50 % deposit required when we receive your skull.
Important Note: The fresher the condition of your head the better your finished skull will be. Skin your head as soon as possible and get it frozen. If it is going to be delivered to us within 3 days, freezing is not necessary but store it at a temperature below 45 degrees. If it is not possible to freeze it, the next best option is to remove all tissue from skull including brain, eyes, muscle, and fat and put skull in a place away from insects to dry. The skull should be trimmed clean enough that it will be dry in 2 or 3 days. We can then rehydrate it before going into the beetle box. Heads that are allowed to spoil and/or get maggots usually end up having permanent stains that can't be removed. It also creates much extra work. Additional steps and processes are required to finish the skull. That means additional cost to you and a less than perfect finished product.
Upon completion we will bill you for the balance of your charges, which will include return shipping charges. Upon receipt of your payment, we will return your skull/s.
We accept money orders, certified check, or personal checks, however, if payment is made with personal check, your job will not be returned until your check clears the bank.
Preparing Skulls for Shipping
Option #1: Prepared by us
Send complete head frozen solid. Wrap frozen head in two sturdy garbage bags. Place in box packed tightly in newspapers one to two inches thick, or some other protective material that will help insulate it. Inexpensive styrofoam coolers are a good way to ship your head, and we will return it with your finished skull. To insure the head doesn't spoil, we recommend 3-day delivery. Always send it on Monday or Tuesday, so it doesn't get hung up in shipping over the weekend. Send UPS, Fed Ex or USPS. We recommend you insure the contents and use a tracking number.
Option #2: Prepared by you
If you choose to prepare your own head, it is necessary to follow these steps:
A. Skin the entire head (including the skin at the base of antlers)
B. Remove any vertebrate, eyes, tongue, excess meat, and detach lower jaw.
C. Remove the brain. This can be done by inserting a stiff wire (coat hanger) with a small hook formed on the end into the brain cavity. Stir and spin the wire to break up the brain and begin pulling them out with the hook. It may take a combination of shaking, tapping the base of the skull on a wooden object, and continued hooking and stirring. Spraying water from a garden hose or high pressure sprayer into the brain cavity will help loosen the material, making it easier to shake out. It will usually require 10 to 15 minutes to complete the job.
D. Freeze skull solid and follow packaging as described in option #1.
Shipping Requirements
Include in your package your name, complete address, work & home phone number, and e-mail. If you send the entire head for us to prepare, we need to know if you do or do not want the bottom jaw processed. We have provided a processing form on this website, if you will print and use it, you will be sure to include all info we need. You may ship UPS, Fed Ex, or USPS.
Shipping Address:
Skinner's Skull Shop
356
Co. Rd. 121
Bedford, WY 83112
Return Shipping
Skulls will be processed in the order they are received. It will take approximately 90 days, depending on workload. Every effort will be made to insure safe return of your skull/s. Return shipping charges will be determined upon completion of your order. Heads with large antlers or horns may require extra shipping due to oversize packaging. We will insure each shipment for the cost of skull cleaning. The customer is responsible for all shipping costs to and from our shop.
Damages and Liability
Skinner's Skull Shop will not be responsible for any damages incurred from shipping, field care, or accidental circumstances while in our possession. Including: Fire, flood, earthquake, or any other natural disaster.
For processing form click here.