Working on my second deer mount. I skinned, fleshed, wire wheeled, salted(tons of fluid run off), resalted(not as much fluid as before) and last night put a fan to it to get it to dry hard. This morning the cape is stiff soft and more fluid had drained off(just small amount this time). So I applied more salt again this morning. How can I get this cape to dry hard in this weather? Any help will be greatly accepted! Thanks, Andy.
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Thanks again!
Andy
Andy,
It sounds like you've done just fine with the cape. Be patient. In high humidity it will take extra time for the cape to dry "flint hard." I had a moose cape I salted that laid for 3 WEEKS before it dried hard...eh? Just be sure your cape is high enough to drain well. I hang mine on big wire coyote stretchers so all of the liquids drain OFF. Good luck.
Andy, I've had that problem plenty especially with the thick haired things. I now do my salting in airconditioning. The problem gets to be that the salt pulls water out of the air and it drips from the cape- seems like the hide is making water. You can overwhelm the moisture with a salt box. When you have the cape almost dry lay it on a bed of dry salt in a box and cover with a thick layer of salt. That will dry it. This takes a good bit of salt but works. Also whenever you salt, rub salt into the hair side as well to prevent the hair from storing any moisture. Enjoy, Aaron H.