How to Clean a Bear Skull and Hide

Blog
29 May, 2025
Posted By: Adele P

Cleaning a bear skull and hide is a rewarding process that preserves the memory of a successful hunt and honors the animal through respectful use. Whether you're aiming for a clean European mount or preserving a beautiful hide for display, the process takes patience, the right tools, and a bit of elbow grease. Here's how to do it right.

Cleaning the Bear Skull

1. Preparation

Before you begin, gather these supplies:

A large pot or metal container (for simmering)
Knife and bone saw
Hose or pressure washer
Tweezers or forceps
Hydrogen peroxide (3%–12%)
Rubber gloves
Degreasing agent (like Dawn dish soap or ammonia)

2. Remove the Head

After your hunt, skin the head as cleanly as possible and remove as much meat and tissue as you can. This will save time later in the cleaning process.

3. Simmer the Skull

Avoid boiling (it can damage bone). Instead, simmer the skull in water just below boiling point for 2–4 hours, depending on size. Add a little dish soap to help break down fat and tissue.

4. Flesh and Clean

Once softened, remove the skull and use a knife, tweezers, and hose to clean off remaining flesh, eyes, brain tissue (you may need to access the brain cavity with a wire or small spoon), and connective tissue. Be careful around the nasal bones—they’re fragile.

5. Degrease

Bear skulls are oily. Place the cleaned skull in a degreasing solution (warm water + Dawn dish soap or ammonia) and leave it submerged for 1–2 weeks, changing the water every couple of days. You’ll see oily residue rise to the surface—that’s a sign it’s working.

6. Whiten

Do not use bleach (it weakens bone). Instead, use hydrogen peroxide to whiten the skull. Submerge it or apply it liberally, let it sit for 24–48 hours, then rinse thoroughly.

7. Dry and Finish

Let the skull dry in a cool, shaded area. Once fully dry, you can seal it with a clear matte sealant if you want extra durability or shine.

Cleaning and Preserving the Bear Hide

1. Skin the Bear Carefully

Take your time to make clean cuts, avoiding nicks in the hide. Skin the bear as soon as possible after the kill to prevent spoilage.

2. Flesh the Hide

Using a fleshing knife or draw knife, remove all fat, meat, and membrane from the underside of the hide. This step is crucial to prevent rot and allow the tanning chemicals to work properly.

3. Salt the Hide

Generously salt the entire flesh side of the hide with non-iodized salt. Rub it in well. Leave it on an incline for 24 hours so fluids can drain. Shake off the wet salt and repeat with fresh salt. Do this for at least 3 days.

4. Pickling (Optional but Recommended)

To preserve the hide longer before tanning, you can pickle it in a solution of water, salt, and a mild acid like citric or formic acid. Let it soak for a few days, then neutralize with baking soda and rinse.

5. Tanning

There are several home tanning kits available, or you can send your hide to a professional tannery. If you’re doing it yourself, follow the instructions closely, typically involving:

Applying tanning solution
Letting it soak or sit for several days
Breaking the hide (stretching and softening)
Oiling and finishing

6. Dry and Store

Once tanned and softened, hang the hide in a dry, shaded place to cure fully. Store it in a cool, dry place—never sealed in plastic—to prevent mold.

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