I have a pair of jackrabbit capes skinned out and soaking in denatured alcohol. They have been there for a couple weeks and will be for a couple more weeks before mounting with D.P. My question is, what would be the best method for relaxing them after taking out of alcohol?
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A month in denatured alchohol? Are you trying to shrink them to the max? Remove them from the alchohol.
Then soak in Borax Pickle Solution (I posted it here several times below under Squirrels and Pheasants)...
Fluff the hide dry in granulated Borax to absor the escess moisture... then the hair side with a hair blower (no pun intended - THIS time...hah)...with the Heat OFF...or vaccum cleaner hose set on blower end.
Powder Borax the skin side and mount on your form.
. . . Ed. I'll do just that. I had heard you could keep them in denatured indefinatly thats why I just did not refreeze after skinning.
i'v got 2 quistions i'm a beginner.
? what is the ingrediant's for borax tanning is effective &will
it tan a squirrel.
2.?what is this(etcc)mean i see it alot,i'm sorry but i just cant figure it out sorry.
thank you patty
i'v got 2 quistions i'm a beginner.
? what is the ingrediant's for borax tanning is effective &will
it tan a squirrel.
2.?what is this(etcc)mean i see it alot,i'm sorry but i just cant figure it out sorry.
thank you patty
Borax is neither a tan NOR a real pickle as the pH is on the other end of acid. If you want to DP your squirrel, do it. If you want a borax solution, add it to denatured alcohol/water (50/50) and allow it to soak for a few HOURS. Take it out, tumble it, mount it. Don't confuse yourself with the REAL terms of tanning, pickling, DPing or you'll end up in real trouble down the road.
To i-gallon Warm Water...add 1-Cup of Powder Borax.
Add 1-Teaspoon of 37% Formaldehyde.
The warm water disolves the Borax faster. DO NOT immerse skins or hides in the WARM water.,..let it cool down to room temperature before using.
One thing...Formaldehyde is poisonous...so I substitute 1-Tablespoon of BALMEX instead (from Van Dyke...$6.49 for 1-quart). It is used as a non-poisonous injection fluid into bird feet and wing joints and into small animal toes.
Immerse the Squirrel (or any other skin) in the solution and stir to make sure it's mixed okay...keep it under surface level of the solution for at least four hours...stirring occasionally.
IF you use the Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)..do not immerse Red Squirrels for more than half an hour as it will darken the fur...and use rubber gloves and safety glasses to prevent splashing in your eyes.
The Balmex or Formaldehyde sets the hair or fur or feathers from slipping...turns the skin white...the Borax moth and bug proofs it.
Fluff the skin in an old pillowcase or plasdtic bag with puffed borax...by shaking it up... to absorb the moisture. You can use powder borax but it takes a little longer.
Remove the skin and use a hair dryer set on NO HEAT to blow dry the feather or fur side only. You xan also use the hose of a vaccum cleaner on the reverse blower end.
Powder the skin with...dry Borax...and mount it on your form. Look under the Squirrel Questions below for my earlier posts on this.
Buy both of John Bellucci's videos on Squirrel Mounting from WASCO...Studio Quality Recorded Tapes)...also WASCOS 7-booklet basic set on Taxidermy Training ($19.95)...one is on Pheasant, Squirrels, Game Heads, Novelties, Tanning, Finishing, Birds, etc.
Then get WASCOs 6-video set Taxidermy Training Course...these supplement and compliment the lesson books...like having a personal instructor with you at all times.
John Bellucci is the premier Squirrel Taxidermist...you'll learn stuff from his videos that books don't show...even how to make your bases.
ETCC are my real initials...ETC., When I first got online I wanted to use ETC as my user name...was already taken...so I added an extra "C"...see?...hah.
Before that they use to call me "and so forth".
Good luck to you on your adventure into Taxidermy...you'll love it.
You know, "Gives life to dead hair. Adds permanent wave."