Our Story
Golden Skull Works is a business driven by a love for the outdoors and a commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Founded by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, we specialize in dermestid beetle cleaning, European mounts, and high-quality educational resources for hunting and firearms safety.
Our goal is simple: to elevate the experience of hunters and firearm enthusiasts by providing exceptional products and services that ensure safety, precision, and knowledge.
Our Values
Integrity: We treat every project with respect and give it the time it deserves.
Expertise: Years of experience have honed our skills and set us apart.
Community: We believe in building a supportive network for all hunters whether seasoned or new.
Quality: We never compromise on the products and services we offer.
What Do We Do?
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Transform your hunting trophies into timeless pieces of art with our professional European mount services. Using the natural cleaning method of dermestid beetles, we ensure a thorough and safe process that preserves the skull’s natural beauty.
Our Process:
Flensing: We carefully remove all flesh and tissue.
Beetling: Dermestid beetles clean the bones, leaving them spotless.
Degreasing: We remove oils and fats to ensure the skull’s longevity
Whitening: The final step where we bleach and polish for a pristine finish.
With Golden Skull Works, you can trust that your mount will be a work of art for years to come.
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CORE Hunting Course
Ready to take the first step into the world of hunting? The CORE Hunting Course is designed for beginners who want to gain the essential skills and knowledge to become a licensed hunter. Taught by experienced hunters and licensed instructors, this course covers everything from the fundamentals of hunting, safety, gear, and ethics. Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to thrive in the wilderness.PAL Firearms Safety Course
Safety is paramount, and our PAL Firearms Safety Course ensures that you understand the laws, regulations, and best practices for using firearms. This course covers safe handling, storage, maintenance, and operation of firearms.
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If you’re a professional taxidermist or just want to start cleaning skulls yourself, we offer premium dermestid beetle colonies for sale all across Canada. Our beetles are carefully cultivated to ensure the best performance for efficient and thorough cleaning of bones. You’ll receive everything you need to set up your colony and begin your own skull cleaning process.
Meet Our Amazing Crew
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![Russel Wagner Headshot]()
Russell Wagner
Russell is an avid outdoorsman and an extremely experienced hunter and angler. Russ is heavily involved in wildlife conservation in the Columbia Valley, having held various positions with the Golden & District Rod and Gun Club and the East Kootenay Wildlife Association. Russell is our in-house European skull expert.
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![Alex Desjardins Hunting]()
Alex Desjardins
As a former Conservation Officer, Alex has an extensive knowledge of environmental laws and regulations, animal identification, behaviour, and hunting techniques, he is also a human / wildlife conflict specialist. Alex is a certified firearm instructor and master instructor. He has trained and certified instructors from multiple provincial and federal agencies. Alex teaches CORE and CFS courses.
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![Jessica Zylics Hunting]()
Jessica Zylicz
Jess is a rising star here at Golden Skull Works. The mother of two makes ample time to hunt, fish, and spend as much time in the bush as possible. She is an excellent hunter having bagged nearly a dozen big game animals and countless small game in the last decade when she started hunting. Jessica teaches CORE and CFS courses.
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![Dorian Boswell Headshot]()
Dorian Boswell
Dorian has decades of experience in firearms handling and education. From managing Canada’s largest indoor shooting range to being involved with local Search and Rescue organizations, Dorian has become a wealth of knowledge to other instructors. Dorian is a CORE and CFSC master instructor
FAQs
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At Golden Skull Works, we take pride in delivering a top-quality product that will remain bright and white for years to come, as long as it’s properly cared for. The cleaning process varies depending on the species and age of the skull. For example, an older white-tailed deer might take around eight weeks, while a greasy bear skull could require over six months of degreasing. We often hear from customers that our cleaned skulls make their "home-boiled" skulls look yellow in comparison.
While it’s true that some methods can clean a skull in just a few days—like boiling, pressure washing, or bleaching—the results are usually not as pristine. When compared side by side, the difference is clear. Additionally, quicker methods can cause lasting damage to the bone, which is why we take our time to ensure the highest-quality results.
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When dropping off your skull, please bring any relevant documentation to prove lawful ownership. This includes your species license, trapping license, LEH (Limited Entry Hunting), or any other applicable proof of legal possession at the time of drop-off
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No, you don’t need to skin the head. We can handle skinning the head, as well as removing the eyes, tongue, brain, and any major tissue, for a small fee.
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Most people find success on their first try, and for those who don’t, the rate of failure on subsequent attempts is very low. Our goal is to thoroughly prepare you for the exams, and if you don’t pass, we view it as a missed opportunity on our part. We’ll do everything we can to provide additional support and ensure you have everything you need to succeed.
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For the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, you must be a Canadian resident and at least 12 years old.
To take the CORE course and obtain your Fish and Wildlife ID number, you must be a BC resident (having lived in BC for at least six months) and at least 10 years old.
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Once we receive your order, we’ll send you a comprehensive guide on dermestid beetle care, including helpful tips and tricks. Over the years, we've gained a wealth of knowledge on how to keep dermestid beetles healthy and productive, and we're excited to share this with you to ensure your success!
See Our Work In Action
Why take your Hunter and Firearms Safety Courses with Golden Skull Works?
Our track record speaks for itself. With hundreds of students trained each year, our highly qualified instructors are committed to providing top-tier outdoor education.
By joining us, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to elevate your outdoor experiences, all while embracing the beauty of nature with expertise and safety in mind.
