2 Questions

[Hoytman]

Dry preserve is the stuff labeled "dry preserve" in the taxidermy supply catalogues.   

Whats a supply catalog? and you have me confused on the label....?

[MLP]

Do a search and try the different methods until you come up with what you feel comfortable with.  There are different methods of preserving a hide and different methods of tanning a hide.  All have pros and cons to some degree and all require some work.  There is no "easy" way out.  Methods that are easier in one way, require more expertise and work in other areas of the process.  Do yourself a favor and pick a method - read all you can on that method (a DVD would be even better) and give it a try.  Once you have one method down - pick another and do the same.  I would suggest a straight up DP (Borax will work, but pure DP is better) method, Krowtan (instructions come with the bottle) and a brush on tan method such as JRTS.  Each of these three methods have detailed instructions in the archives.  There are a lot of guys who have their own concoctions, but you need to keep it simple and learn the basic processes involved and do not confuse the different methods.

In any supply catalog, dry preservative will be called "dry preservative".  Again, Borax can work, but pure DP is better.  Good luck!

[S.A.M.]

Thank you MLP.

[Mark D]

Actually,  In vandykes, dry preserve is called  "Instant preserve".

[MLP]

I stand corrected! 

[Haffs]

Another item you may want to consider are instructional videos. I know you said money is an issue but these videos are a money saver in the long run. Pick your first project and then watch a video. And then watch it again. It should shorten the learning curve and reduce cost in wasted materials considerably.