i am new to taxidermy and was wondering--i have a deer hide in the pickle solution right now and i am wondering if this will help soften the hide? If not what is the best way?
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The best place to soften a skin is before you put it in the pickle. That way its open and receptive to the acid and salt. After you put it in the pickle it tends to firm somewhat so it shaves well, so dont count on it relaxing there. As for ways to relax it before the pickle - some guys use a commercial relaxer like our Rittels Ultra-Soft, some like a salt brine (2 Lbs. of Salt per 1 gallon of water), and other use plain water with a bacteriacide.