Proper Hide Prep Work and Terminology

[huntemup]

Great post...I am still a little slow so I have been salting and rubbing it in as I go along. It is tough to get all that red meat off. I even make small holes trying to thin the lips down but still want to get that meat out. Thanks Again.

[Jaque 1]

George,I,m new to this game.I want to make a raccoon hat with the the head and feet on.I,m not sure how to spit the ears or tan the paws.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[George Roof]

Jaque, the simple explanation is that "Everything that doesn't have hair growing out of it needs to be removed completely."  The hide can't have flesh, bone, sinew or cartilage left on it during this process if you want the job done right.

[Jaque 1]

Wanting to make a coon skin hat,with feet and head on.Talked to local taxidermist about the paws, and he said something about dry tanning.Also any info or suggestins will be  greatly appreciated.Want to brain tan.Thanks!

[Wind_Drift]

At the risk of sounding redundant, I'd like to thank you as well for all of the straight answers and helpful advice. They've helped me alot, and in an industry that can be very competitive, i think that it's great that there are sites like this with posts like yours to provide the curious mind with helpful information that keeps us from having to "learn everything the hard way". Time is money and you've been saving me alot of both!

[jbnf - Josh F.]

I know I am bringing up an old post but thought alot of newbies might like to read this.

[Albie]

Thanks Mr. Roof. I too Have been doing this for a long time and learned those "basics" a long time ago. I do pretty nice work, according to my customers and proper hide prep plays a huge part in that. I flesh hides by hand using a knife and scalpel while they're green. It takes me three hours to completely prep a deer cape for salting. Whem I'm done EVERY bit of flesh and membrane is removed. I have a competitor who has bragged to me that he can flesh a cape (ears, lips, nostrils, et al) in half an hour. Well good for him, but he has never let me watch him nor shown me the results. In my shop I jokingly remark to folks, "I may not be very good, but at least I'm slow!"
Little Al

[Nate G.]

Thanks George!! I've been wasting a bunch of salt.

[stargazer644]

Thanks jbnf for bringing up this old post, no matter how old it is, it's content being timeless.  It was easily read, easily followed, and the tip from George about rolling the flesh that lies between the nose and lip, was one of those I can tell you most learning taxidermists like myself take in and utilise and don't forget.  Special thanks to you George, for a lesson in taxidermy, (again).  Wishing you all well, stargazer

[Porter]

very informative for a green  guy like me.  This will help as I am going to try to do my first fox.