由 home-healthhaven 
Collecting bones has become a popular hobby for many people today. You can collect the bones of any animal, as long as it’s legal. For fossilized bones or bones of endangered species, you’ll need special permits. However, no one will mind if you collect the bones of roadkill or a dead squirrel from your backyard. If you’re new to this hobby, here are some helpful tips:
### Where and When to Collect Bones
1. **Best Places to Look:**
– **Local Water Bodies:** Beaches are great for finding bird bones. Dry areas in swamps and riverbanks of seasonal streams are also good spots.
– **Depressions and Fields:** Sick or injured animals often seek shelter in depressions in woods, open fields, gullies, and ravines to protect themselves from the wind.
2. **Best Times to Collect:**
– **Late Spring:** This is ideal for those in cold climates. As the snow melts, bones become more visible before new vegetation grows.
– **Fall:** Autumn’s fallen leaves create a contrasting background that makes white bones easier to spot. However, it can be trickier than in spring because dry vegetation can hide the bones.
### How to Handle Bones You Find
1. **Storage:**
– Before you start collecting, designate a storage spot for the bones. Leaving them out can attract flies and other bugs, and other animals might tamper with them. A sealed, clear Rubbermaid container is perfect because you can see your collection without the smell spreading.
2. **Safety Precautions:**
– **In Forests:** Be cautious if a carcass looks fresh or recently decomposed, as it might attract carnivorous animals.
– **Roadkill:** Ensure the road is clear before picking up roadkill.
– **Hunting Season:** Avoid forests during hunting season. If you go, wear bright orange clothes to be visible to hunters. The same goes for collecting roadkill.
– **Handling Fresh Remains:** Don’t pick up remains that are too fresh to avoid health hazards. Let nature take care of most of the decomposition first.
3. **Handling Bones Safely:**
– Always wear non-porous latex gloves when handling bones to prevent disease and contamination. Once home, disinfect the gloves and your clothes in a bleach-water solution before washing them in soapy water.
### Cleaning Bones
1. **Bug Removal:**
– Spray the bones with an anti-bug formula in a well-ventilated area while wearing a mask.
2. **Removing Flesh:**
– If any flesh is left on the bones, remove as much as you can with gloved hands or a knife without damaging the bones.
3. **Soaking and Cleaning:**
– Soak the bones in a mixture of ammonia and water (1.6 cups of ammonia per gallon of water) overnight. Scrape off remaining tissues and ligaments the next day. If the bones are clean, scrub them with a brush and let them dry on old newspapers or cloth.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a fascinating and well-maint