Degreasing a skull.

[44mAG]

I am at work now so I am not able to take a pic of my set up. This is a picture of the Allied bucket heater that I use along with a timer. The timer that I actually use has a double plug in so I can run two heaters off of it.

Thanks for the pics. So I am guessing it is a timer than can turn on and off for a set number of minutes to let the water cool down, then heat back up again so it doesn't get too hot?

[Texastaxi]

I put the aoudad skull back in the tank tonight. I'll update in a few days.

[COACH_EM_UP]

I am at work now so I am not able to take a pic of my set up. This is a picture of the Allied bucket heater that I use along with a timer. The timer that I actually use has a double plug in so I can run two heaters off of it.

I had that exact bucket heater, but I did not have a timer on it. I guess the bucket heater got too hot and the thermostat stopped working. Now, the dang thing does not turn on.

Do you wire the timer to the bucker heater or are you able to plug the bucket heater into the timer or vice versa? Thanks.

[Bvallet]

Good information to know, especially on the timeline.

[Shane]

I pulled an aoudad skull out of the black plastic bag today. It's been in there about 2 weeks. There were loads of maggots all over the place - and an incredible stench. But the horns weren't loose yet. Back in the bag it went. It's supposed to be in the 70s and then 80s this week. I'll check it again next weekend, after a few days in the 80s. Got 3 more ram skulls with it. Maybe they'll all stink less next weekend!

[Patton]

It's a smell only a, well nevermind, nobody could love that smell. I bet you're right Shane and you can pull your horn sheaths after the warm weather.

[88 Bound]

A month later and no update from TT.....

[Shane]

Well, I tugged on the horns again today. Still stinks. Still not loose. We've had several days in the 70s and a couple in the 80s lately. I figured they'd be loose, but they're not. Gonna be in the 50s and 60s for highs this weeks, so it may be a while. They're not hurting anything sitting though. If they don't loosen up before long, I may get a big plastic tub of water and an aquarium heater.

[Shane]

I checked the skulls today. One of four skulls slipped - both horns. The other 3 are still stuck tight. I put them in the bags wet originally, but I didn't add any water to the bags. Maybe I should have? I ran a good bit of water into each bag today and tied them back up to soak a while longer.

[Texastaxi]

What's the weather been like since you bagged them, Shane?

[Shane]

We had some 70s and even 80s for several days, then cooled to the 50s and 60s. Back in the 70s and 80s this week. I would have thought that last warm spell we had would have done the trick. But maybe it wasn't wet enough in the bags?

No big deal though. I'm sure they'll come loose soon, and they'll still clean up fine I bet.

[Jtrisler]

Shane, I just popped the horns off of two Catalina Rams that I had bagged for about a week. They slipped right on off. Did you run a knife between the core and the horn when you skinned them out?

I would think they would pop off fairly easy by now!

[Shane]

I ran a screwdriver up under the bases of the horn all the way around. Cleaned all the meat and hide, eyeballs and brains out. Bagged them in heavy contractor black plastic bags and tied them shut. I didn't add any water to the bags originally. Somebody somewhere I saw recommended adding water. I did that a couple days ago. Maybe that'll finish them up. I can't believe they haven't all slipped by now.

[Jtrisler]

Yeah, I figured they would have by now as well. I normally don't add any water in the bag. The juices from the skull rottening will normally give it plenty of moisture.

I normally use a oil filter wrench to twist horns off. It gives a little better grip and leverage!

[Shane]

I haven't gotten rough with them yet. Just patiently waiting for them to fall off, I guess. They STINK.