Bone Cleaning Services
We are very excited to announce that we are now taking on bone/skull cleaning services! I, Ashes have years worth of experience in bone cleaning and whitening as I clean all the skulls of my own harvests. As an avid hunter I love the process of honoring our harvests and preserving those once in a lifetime memories.
We are located out of Refugio, Texas and will do local pickup within a reasonable distance. If the pickup is farther away we can discuss it but it may come with an extra charge depending on the mileage. Unfortunately at this time we will not be accepting any skulls to be cleaned through the mail do to the risks involved.
Contact us! My name is Ashes McGee and you can either email me at oddbonesranch@gmail.com or call/text me at 361-960-4849. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out!
Small mammals like Bobcats, domestic cats, raccoons: $60.00
Coyotes/Wolves/Dogs: $100.00
Hogs: $120.00
White tail doe: $100.00
White tail buck: $130.00
Bear: $150.00
Cow/Bull/Longhorn: $150.00
Elk/Red Stag/Axis Deer:$150.00
Blackbuck/Gemsbok/Oryx/other antelope with horns :$200.00
If you would like the add a wood backing/plaque it is an extra $70.00 for large skulls-elk/cows. For small mammals, deer, bear it is an extra $50.00 and you can choose between a classic wooden plaque or unique antique lantern holder as a backing.
For other animals please contact us!
The process:
The process I used is called a water maceration. This is an all natural process in which the skull/bones are placed in a tub and allowed to decompose. There are no chemicals involved and this gives the bones a very natural look when finished. Once the maceration is finished I take the skull out and begin the degreasing, washing and whitening stages. This is again an all natural process and I do not use any chemicals in this process. I will correct any antler color loss and condition any horned animals with an oil to give the horns their shine back. You can request different types of antler color corrections as well. I can leave the antlers exactly as they are after maceration, do small touch-ups or do large touch-ups. This I will always discuss with the customer beforehand. I will send photos of updates along the process as well if the customer would like. Whatever you give me, will always come back to you, for example if a skull has a lower jaw I will always whiten that along with the rest of the skull. All teeth and bones that you give me will return to you.
How long does the process take?
Because this is not a fast process I always warn folks up front that this could take several months. During the summer completion of skulls can take anywhere from 2 to 4 months. During the winter months this can take up to 6 months for full completion. This process is largely heat dependent and though Texas is usually warm we do have a few cold months in there. I will always update the customer on how quickly or slowly the skull is coming along.
Pricing: All pricing comes with maceration, de-greasing, whitening and antler stain or horn conditioning. We will also repair broken skulls as best we can. But please be advised a head shot animal is not going to be completely repairable, if at all.
Please be aware that no payment is due upon drop off, payment will be due when the skull is done. It is understood that if you do not pay, the skull is then considered my property and you will not receive the finished product. This is a natural process and some natural skull coloration will be expected upon the finished product. We whiten to achieve a natural, realistic coloration but some darker spots on undersides of skulls are to be expected. We want our skulls to look white, but true to life and not bleached. Please make note of this before trusting us with your skulls. Thank you!
Examples of our work:
