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

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?

try your asian shops - they do large pots cheap - big enough for job

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

try your asian shops - they do large pots cheap - big enough for job

if you go down this route Chur Bay watch your heat yes asian supply shops have cheap big soup pots will do the job but they tend to have fairly thin bottoms I use my two burner camp stove really low

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.

Originally Posted by Nick.m

Attachment 221850

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.