A friend gave me a deer head to try to mount for him. He has preserved the cape using a salt/alum solution for about 3 weeks and has now forzen it. Can I still use dry preserve on it or do I have to use a tan on it. I know there are alot of opinions on dry preserve vs tanning but I am familiar with dry preserve and would like to use it if it is possible. Will I have to worry about carcking? If I need to tan it which is the easiest to use?
Thanks
Todd
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I see several choices for you. DP we know it works sometimes good sometimes bad very bad.
You can tan it with one of the many chemicals.
Here is what I would, if I were in your shoes.
1. Order some EPO-GRIP hide adhesive, its the best stuff I have even seen.
2. Thaw the cape and relax it, the salt alum has possibly made the cape shrink so, relaxing it loosen it up.
3. Using D.P. will save you time and work, Flesh and dp the hide and mount the head ONLY with EPO-GRIP Hide adhesive. Do the head first starting with the ears, eyes and sew it up. Do the rest of the face. (Only mix enough to do the face area at this time) Now do the rest of the deer, starting at the atlas and seam working your way down to the back board, with wet hands work out all the air bubbles bust the ones on the face with a pin.
EPO-GRIP will penetrate the hide and the form sucking the hide down to it as you work the air out. Staple back as needed, now card the brisket and seam with needle punch plastic from wally world. I think it will be fine.
I have found that even with a DPed hide you cannot pull it from the form after a few days setting time. Be sure to sand the form well and get the EPO-GRIP all up under the seam.
Like I have told so many before, the best move I ever made was getting my skins and hides commercially tanned. (WET IS BEST) Better product, less work and frustration all for $25. With what you have to deal with from your friend, you just might get frustrated and quit moving forward in the taxidermy hobby/business. Just be aware there is an easier way that you can go, i.e.commercial tanned skins and hides.