How do the buyers want them presented? And what do I put them in?

I just put them in a bag in the freezer after I’m done skinning. The lady who buys them from me meets me half way and gives me money. Just frozen, skinned heads

I got some bad advice on beaver skulls and I lost the teeth on a bucket of skulls. Did it the second time using her advice on what I had done wrong (using too much oxiclean) and following the directions to the letter and lost another set. Yeah, I never claimed to be too bright. I lost a lot of sleep over that but I guess it makes sense though to get the trapper to mess up 50 if you are making money doing it.

darn coon, make sure that they all have good teeth and no damage and frozen fresh. Don't remove with an ax or hatchet, carefully cut across the throat area and push the head back. The vertebrae will snap off at the right place. Main thing is to build trust with your buyer. Once they get quality skulls from you they will not be as paranoid about looking for damage...which is hard to find when they're all frozen together. First time sal you may want to freeze individually so they can grade them.

One thing to keep in mind is the supply of fur bearer skulls far exceeds the demand. Buyers can be selective about wanting perfect skulls - especially when it comes to common species - raccoon, beaver, muskrat, coyote, etc.

If it were me, I wouldn’t even think about messing with skulls that are damaged.

Less common skulls - fisher, badger, spotted skunk - that is a slightly different matter.

Otter, bobcat and Lynx present a different matter since many states want the lower jaw for data analysis. A skull without a lower jaw has a very decreased value. IMO

I buyy some skulls.
If you are shipping them the one biggest things that is required is they do not leak through to the outside of the package. More then one way to do that.
One way. Individual plastic freezer bags on each skull or a large freezer bag on multiple skulls. Put them in a box that has a heavy duty a garbage sack in it. If cheap garbage sacks used use 2. If skulls are are loose in the box add packing like paper or foam.
Tape the entire box. That is a must for sure if using Flat Rate boxes.
My favorite way is to vaccum pack them. No need for garbage sacks then or freezer bags just packing if needed.

Flat Rate shipping from the post office is normally the fastest cheapest way to ship. Boxes are free at the PO.

All skulls must be undamaged. Some like Skulls Unlimited like a couple or more vertebrae attached. That is a buyers request. I don't want any vertebrae on the ones I get.

I

The skull market is saturated because too many trappers selling cheap. I tossed all beaver this year because too many guys selling for a few dollars each. I’ve always knocked heads off with a big meat cleaver and never had any complaints. Skulls with some worn teeth generally are sold mixed with grade 1. These are considered craft grade. Bad damage are tossed. Some buyers only want the best for nothing because the market is saturated. Had one clown years ago offer me $2 each for beaver and wanted me to pay shipping. I don’t pay shipping and I don’t sell them cheap because too much time and trouble to bag, freeze, box, and mail.

So whats the going price for skulls?

I ship skulls in Styrofoam coolers from insulin shipments or food shipments. I soak the skulls in salt water to get the blood out and dry on a rack. They go in the cooler in the freezer until full. I put an absorbent pad on the top and bottom.

I vacuum seal mine when shipping. Works great no leaks

NWS is on the money about a great many skull buyers. Most only think of THEIR pocket book.

I buy a few but now try to give the trapper a bit more for their effort. In doing so I am able to get way more offers to sell then I can use or have money to buy. I don't make big money on them but every little bit counts. Without a good variety I feel my presentation of skulls at the venues I attend is poor. They sell well but are only part of what I do. They are a visual attraction that draws customers.

Wissmiss is right about some type. Paying a decent price can get them though. Fisher seems to be the ghost for me.

You will be allowed to donate them to skull buyers,

but you are responsible to pay for the shipping !!!

Seems like pulling teeth to get an answer, doesn’t it?

Southern trappers done ruined the skull market too with their cheap inferior skulls.

Several factors involved - are you selling fresh, dried, nature cleaned or professionally clean. Are you selling to an individual or to a dealer.

Fresh skulls like beaver, coyote, muskrat, raccoon - $1.00 to $2.00 each.

Badger (with no broken teeth), skunk, nutria, otter (with lower jaw) bobcat (with lower jaw) - about $5.00 or so.

Wolf and wolverine - up to $25.00.

Nature cleaned skulls - about half the above prices.

Rotten skulls - no value.

Professionally cleaned skulls - depends on quality of preparation - up to $35.00 on common fur bearers. Over $100.00 on wolves and wolverine.

You wanted prices - you now have prices according to me. I’m sure folks will disagree.

Willvalley - fisher skulls are so difficult to get because many states will fisher seasons require you to turn in the skull when you get the pelt sealed/tagged.

I sell most of mine in Alaska and usually sell all my catch to 1 or 2 buyers. I did just ship out all my marten out of state. This is what I usually get for raw skulls.
Marten$2
Wolf and bear baculums $5
Lynx$10-$15
Wolf $50-$75
Wolverine $75$100

Nutria and beaver skulls (raw) sold for $3 each at the latest ITA sale in Idaho. I get $3 for raccoon and possum too, all I can produce. (Which ain't much).

You could flood the market with $3 raw possum skulls from here. More than the pelts average