do most taxidermist salt their capes

[buckeyeoutfiter]

I have a friend that stresses I need to salt every hide, that it helps lock the. Hair. Im scared to just salt my deer capes and throw them in the corner....  if u prefer this method plse exsplain how to salt.. he also told me to streach the hides after salting or they will srink up alot..... plse any info would be great

[Redwolf]

Salting does lock, or set the hair. It draws out all the moisture and stops bacteria from growing. And yes, most taxidermists salt their skins.

[bullwhacker]

Yes, salt it laying flat for a day, shake it off, salt it again for a day or two, then I hang mine over a stick for a day then fold it up. Dont worry about stretching it, the tanning process will take care of the rest.

[John C]

Salt it where the fluids will drain off the rear of the cape.

[northernmontana]

Always salt.  Never heard of the stretching thing while salting?

[shammy]

yes

[MLP]

I always salt except when I am using Krowtan.

[Old Fart]

I believe that the emphasis on "stretching" the cape is more to make sure that you get salt all the way to the edges AND make sure that there are no folded over edges or creases that the salt didn't get into. I wouldn't salt and then "throw them in the corner", however! They do need to be fleshed and turned BEFORE salting, not just skinned and salted.

[papagoose]

X2 on the salt and shake and salt and hang

[mr.T aka mr. friendly]

The salt is for wicking out the bodily juices and to remove moisture. Salt does not set hair, as it is only unset when re hydrated again at tanning.

[Redwolf]

Paul, not that I'm arguing, but I thought when the moisture was taken out of the skin the salted follicles tightened up and locked the hair roots in.

[Matt]

Yes Bob, but to a point. As T stated, they will "open" up when re-hydrated. Most guys think an iffy cape is saved if it makes it to turning, fleshing, and salting. Sometimes it's successfull, and sometimes, the cape never had a chance due to the handling or lack of before it was brought in.

[Redwolf]

K. That explains it. lol Thanks Matt.

[bigbucktn]

what to do to a iffy cape then.....will stop rot help if applied to a iffy cape before the hair starts to slip, then salt and tan

[Matt]

I have never used it. I have had several iffy ones come in and I get on them right away and get them to salt. Most of the time, I have been able to save them. If they are not slipping, I try and get them prepped. I had one come in that as green and smelled like roses!(LOL) I was able to save it and use it for a good spare.