thaiwng a deer cape?

[hairy perch]

 I know I have read this somewhere before but I can't seem to find it now that I need it. I took my deer head out of the freezer this morning because I planned on fleshing and krowtaning it tomorrow. I checked it this evening when I got in and the head itself was still frozen but the ears seam to be thawed out already. I think I played it safe by putting it in fridge to finish thawing. I also had not taken the plastic off of the head yet.Now the question, should I leave it in the fridge to thaw completely or should I take it back out and unwrap the head and wrap the ears in a wet cloth so they don't start slipping? also how long do I have till I have to worry about loosing the hide to slippage?
                                                                                        Hairy Perch

[lookn4awhitetail]

I would not wrap the ears at all.  Moisture can create a breeding ground for bacteria.  I would start caping it now.  I like skinning when things are partially frozen. 

[mr.T aka mr. friendly]

It ain't going to slip the second it thaws to room temp. Scardy cats think slip attacks two minites after it thaws, well it don't. AS soon as you can stick a knife in it,,, go! And don't stop, and don't look back.

[paul e]

the time depends on temperature
its not unusual to be in the mid seventies here in southern Louisiana in even December
if its cold on the shop floor it takes about a full day before i can take a head that is frozen and cape it out
it its warm ill hang it with most of the head in a midsize ice chest
it can thaw in 6 to 8 hours and the ice chest will slow it down

now Ive played around(me not Glen) with stoprot and soaking to thaw
Ive had a few close calls with elk
sometimes they can take to god awful long to thaw
so Ive soaked the whole head in a tub
for about 2 to three hours
then caped and towel dried real,real good
then rubbed the snot out of it with stop rot(came out better than some that took to long to thaw)
GLEN HAS NOT ENDORSED THIS METHOD
Ive not had a chance to tell him or get his advice
maybe when he finishes with the bobble head thread heel get back to work and he can help us with a soak ,stoprot, or some other good way to thaw and soak in a safe solution lmao(just ribbing ya a little Uncle Glen)

anywho put some stoprot on while its thawing on the outside,eyes ,ears,mouth,throat,brisket

[bill@hogheaven]

I have always thawed by taking capes out of the freezer & waiting.  Didnt realize you could make such a big deal out of it.  Since my method always works, I guess I will continue on as before & leave the rocket surgery to others.

[hairy perch]

Thanks  very much for the input guys. I am so apprecitive of this site.Hopefully someday I will be able to meet some of yas and return the favor. So many great people with so much knowledge and not afraid to share it. Just wish I had taken up taxidermy 40 years ago.
                                                                  Hairy Perch

[paul e]

Bill for most full time guys this isn't a issue at all
because you can stage the whole time line better
but
there are a heck of a lot of part timers that get frozen heads in or freeze them because of logistics
ya i know its not preferred to freeze and before i retired(mostly) i would do loops not to freeze a head
but a lot of these guys don't have a choice
and a lot of guys don't have a conditioned work area
some are ether to cold are to warm for my taste

a solution to thaw safely and maybe towel dry method would be a godsend to a whole lot of part timers and i guess full timers also
O.K. GLEN THROW US SOME OF THAT PIXIE DUST YOUVE GOT UNDER YOUR BENCH lmao

anybody else got a thaw solution method
STOP ROT WORKS WONDERS AFTER THE THAW but it would be nice to thaw um out a better way for some

[Richbo]

I have thawed them out in a refrigerator.  I figured it would keep it cool and hopefully prevent slippage of any kind.  I also use Stop Rot as it is thawing.