Big Sky Beetle Works

Big Sky Beetle Works in Florence, Montana specializes in one of the most precise and underappreciated sides of the taxidermy world: beetle-cleaned skulls and European mounts. Florence is located in the Bitterroot Valley just south of Missoula, a valley that produces healthy populations of whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, and black bear. Beetle maceration is the gold standard for producing clean, undamaged skulls, and having a dedicated facility for this process in the Bitterroot means local hunters don't have to send specimens far. The name says exactly what they do, and they do it well.

Big Sky Beetle Works uses dermestid beetles, a colony of small flesh-eating insects, to clean skulls without the damage that boiling or chemical methods can cause. The result is a skull with intact nasal passages, undamaged sutures, and natural teeth still firmly in place. This method works especially well for trophy-quality antlered animals where preserving fine bone detail matters. After cleaning, skulls can be whitened and finished for display. The studio likely also offers antler mounting and other European-style display options that complement the cleaned skulls.

Big Sky Beetle Works serves Florence and the full length of the Bitterroot Valley, from Lolo down through Hamilton and beyond. Hunters from the Missoula area also make the short drive south for beetle cleaning services. The studio is conveniently positioned for anyone hunting the Sapphire or Bitterroot mountain ranges.