1st - Coyote
2nd - Red Fox
3rd - Raccoon
The open trophies were a good part of the inspiration for the name of the race. First the coyote, then the raccoon, were genuine "roadkill finds" that we made while on runs before we were really looking. Otto, our dog, was happy to help us find these dead animals. We moved them off the road a bit and tried our hardest to keep him from rolling in it. Meanwhile, the bugs did their work.
The most common finds are skunk, armadillo, opossum, frog, and raccoon. Things that creep at night and are blinded by your headlights. Deer and cats are fairly common, too.
We (and by this, I mean, "me," more than I mean, "we.") wrapped the skulls in cloth and plastic and collected the loose teeth from the side of the road and trucked them home while on the run. Nature does some amazing work. Bugs did most of the work of naturally cleaning the carcasses. The sun did a lot of the work, too. Wait too long and even the bones start getting chewed by rodents and insects. But if you retrieve the bones at the right time, a small amount of hydrogen peroxide solution and patience will do the rest. Getting the teeth back in their spots was a bit of a trick. They get loose and fall out. It's like a little puzzle.
For the record, boiling the bones is not the most efficient thing. It takes many hours. It causes nausea while you do it, and makes it difficult to use your pans for other purposes, if you enjoy retaining your victuals. I Don't recommend it. Rather, if you find a Fantastic Road Kill Specimen - do this:
1. Take some photographs.
2. Get it off the road, somehow, and outside the mowed right of way.
3. Note the location.
4. Wait about 2 weeks, in warm weather. Then check on the progress.
5. Turn it over if you need to.
6. Let it go until it looks really clean, and mostly white.
7. Bring it home. Be careful and get all the teeth.
8. Leave it outside, perhaps in a shallow grave, and the bugs will do more work.
9. Soak it in a light 3% Hydrogen peroxide for 1 to 2 weeks.
10. Let dry and whiten in the sun.
11. Glue the parts together.
That's it!
Next year will be more impressive. Let me know if you have, or if you find, any of the following:
Whitetail Deer.
Mule Deer.
Black Bear.
Beeves.
Wild Hogs.
Coyote.
Pronghorn.
Antlers, horns, tusks, and big teeth are all appreciated.
Yeah, I'm surprised I didn't get a call like this... "Hi, um... there is a lady across the street at **** St. and she is carrying from her truck what looks like something dead in a bag... Oh my God, the head fell out of the bag, please, quick, send the police!"
ReplyDeleteAnd on front of the Express, "Woman Drawn Down On After Police Arrive and Find Dead Animal Carcuss In A Bag Thought To Be Human."
Ahhh... good times.
Heads only, sir. Heads only. And the bugs do some fine work. It was beautiful - wish you could have made it out there!
ReplyDeleteAre you willing to use smaller skulls? I have a skunk.
ReplyDeleteSure - we'd love to use it! We'll find a way to use all donations! Wrap it up and mail it. Remind me at registration time, and we'll be sure to give you our "Genuine Road Kill Skull Donation Discount."
ReplyDeleteSounds good Derek. I actually don't live that far from Chickasha...I could just bring them to you. I should have more throughout the year, when is the latest you would need them to prepare for the 2011 race?
ReplyDeleteEnd Of July is about the latest I can accept bones. If you get anything great like a bear or a cougar, I can make an exception. Raw roadkill takes a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteSounds great. I also have a few friends giving a Wild Boar and a Coyote. So they should be available for you to also use. Looking forward to 2011 Road Kill Race.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, thank you so much Carol!! As much as I love collecting roadkill, it is fantastic when someone else does it!
ReplyDelete