Beetle cleaning places??

[salsola]

I'm looking for a place to take a deer head for cleaning with beetles. Prefer the SW corner of the state. Any suggestions?

Boiling down a head in the backyard is NOT an option this year.


thanks

 

[smarba]

Curious as to why boiling is not an option?

I put skull in large galvanized wash tub that fits on my BBQ grill. Dump in some Dawn dish soap & Arm & Hammer Laundry Soap (maybe 1-2 scoops). Simmer for 6-8 hours, dump the water and repeat until skull all clean and water is nearly clear and non-greasy.

There is almost no stink & I can have a skull clean in a day. You do need to have a place to dump the mess water, though. But could easily put in some sort of jug and empty in the desert.

I would think sending skull to a beetle place would be way more hassle than that?

Carl

 

[hunting1]

The taxidermist on 4th next to Green Valley meats has beetles. Carl, I have an elk skull and a buffalo skull that is European and the beetle skull didn't crack and is much brighter, well worth it I think.

 

[nmhntr]

I didn't know anyone had bugs locally. I've mailed unskinned frozen antelope, deer, and buffalo heads to skulls unlimited in Oklahoma. They did a sweet job when I did it. Not too expensive when I went that way. About a month or two turn around time. They have directions on their website on how to pack. Perhaps other places that do mail order... Sounds crazy. Haha

 

[nmhntr]

In my opinion, Beetles are the only way to clean a skull and keep nose bones intact.

 

[smarba]

Great info guys!

Carl

 

[WapitiBob]

I had one taxi do beetles and another do a low pressure wash. The wash is OK but beetles came out better in my opinion.

 

[salsola]

Thanks for the pics Bob!

Do you mind mentioning the taxidermist that had beetles? PM is fine if you'd rather not make it public.

I'd like to post a list of places with beetles so folks can reference it later on.

thanks

 

[WapitiBob]

He's outside of town here. I'll have to dig up his number.

 

[flymetyme]

How much does the taxidermist charge for a deer and do you have his number.

 

[salsola]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-20-14 AT 10:52AM (MST)[p]flymetyme,

I dropped off my deer head at Lasting Impressions Taxidermy this week. The number is (505) 401-5929.

As for pricing, you should probably just call because there are some options and variables that may affect the price. I'll say that the price was in-line with other places that were proposing to boil or pressure wash.


edited to add:

Here are two other options I found while looking (didn't contact them, don't know if they are still in business):

David Kramer in Rio Rancho-- 505-514-5403
Beetle and Bones Taxidermy, Datil -- 575-517-5304.

 

[whitlow33]

David Kramer is still in business and has done several items for me. He is a cool guy and does great work. He is also the cheapest I've seen in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.

 

[5yearcoueshunter]

>David Kramer is still in business
>and has done several items
>for me. He is
>a cool guy and does
>great work. He is
>also the cheapest I've seen
>in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.


Yup agreed! Good guy, good work and good price.

 

[flymetyme]

Thanks, Iam going to try the beattles; they look to do a fine job.