Dry Tan Measurements:

[lovetrees]

Thansk for the tips on the plus and minus of dry and wet tan. I do know of the old forums site and have used it alot. I have a more complicated question for  you who know, more than I. Which is just about everybody. I am questioning the measurements I took from my deer carcass and called the company that is going to do the tan. They said it would probably be a dry tan, and they could measure it after the tan and give me a call with the numbers, but of coarse they would not be the same after rehydration. Does anyone have experience with how numbers change from a dry tan state,,to Rehydrated? Possibly this is too complicated a question and I will just have to wait. Thank You again!

[lovetrees]

Another question along this line. What is the best way to have a tannery do your tan? Wet or dry. I called the shop today to have them do some measurements after the tan and he said was I having it done wet or dry. I did not know, so he said it would probably be done dry. Which is the best method to have it professionally done? Maybe I should call him back and say,"Have it doen wet"? I suppose they mostly do dry as it keeps longer for shipping. Thank you again.

[HAPP Mark S.]

Don't use their measurement for ordering a form. Re-hydrate the cape and trust your own measurement. You'll be surprised at the stretch. Then freeze it until you have your form in hand.
Either way, wet or dry, from a reputable tannery is good.

[George Roof]

lovetrees, this isn't rocket science.  How much water will a bucket hold?  Hmm, guess it depends on the bucket, doesn't it.  A dry tan can be any measurement it wants to be.  A rehydrated hide can be as well.  But when rehydrated, you must also stretch the hide to get the maximum expansion of the skin and then order a corresponding sized form.

A "rule of thumb" is that if you're mounting an animal, consider the wet tan first as it eliminates the rehydration and wet tans get much MUCH better stretch than rehydrated dry tans.

If you're going to make a rug or a hanging hide/skin mount, then the dry tan is desirabel as it will be soft, the fur will be lofty, and the hair will be fresh and brighter because of the additives during the drying process.

[lovetrees]

Thanks for comments. I was just not sure how long the cape would keep if after getting it back,,hydrated and all, then having to send for a form. but I guess from what has been said,,putting it in the freezer for awhile is OK.