A customer found a road-hit fawn which had to be "dispatched". I'm having him freeze it whole. I use a Quebec fleshing machine and a pressure tanner. Is there anything unusual I need to know to do this fragile thing? Any hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Return to Beginners Category Menu
I would not use a fleashing machine! Fawn skins are very thin, you can see through them when you hold it up to a light. Just take your time skinning and salt.I've found that once you salt it you can easily peel any meat and membrene off. Then proceed as you would any small lifesize animal.Be careful around the lip area it is very easy to tear.
Jeff
Aside from the great advice that Jeff offered up, you may want to try this:I use the same tools you mentioned.On a fawn I double up the pretan time, on a WT cape I pre tan an hour so on a fawn I go two, There' really little to shave skin wise so what little flesh sticks I knock off with a wire wheel, break the membrane at the same time, then back into the tanner for another hour with your tanning oil to finish tan another hour. The extra hour in the pretan helps plump it up, making it easier to work on the wheel, I've fleshed a few on the Eager Beaver but the wire wheel is far easier and reduces your chances of tearing it up. Best of luck to you, Kris