I had my garage freezer take a crap on me and had 2 green froze whitetail capes in it. One was thawed but cold in plastic, the other pliable but still froze in plastic bag. This is the second time this has happened to these capes so they have thawed and refroze twice now.They don't smell rotten but don't exactly smell fresh either. I want to thaw, turn,flesh, and salt but am worried about slippage. Am I pretty well screwed or will I still be alright? I thought about either soaking in a safety acid pickle or perhaps a water/salt/bascryl solution prior to turning. Maybe just a heavy layer of salt on the cape before I turn anything? Any words of wisdom sure are appreciated! Yes, that freezer is now in the dump. I transfered the capes to a good freezer.I just hate to invest in tanning these capes if slippage is almost certain.Thanks- Smitty
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I know of two options that you could go with.(but there's probaly more)Try using the new product Stop-Rot. Go to the website www.TaxidermyReference.com and you will see how to use it. Or get a hold of Steve- the Auto Tanner guy for some tanning crystals that he produces. He will tell you how to use it. Good Luck!
The mst remarkable product on the market! Dont know how it works but has saved me a ton of money in the past . The miracle product for taxidermy .
Use stop-rot from Whitetail Designer Systems (Glen Conley). Works wonders. I have been using it as a safety precaution, BUT this past deer season I recieved 2 capes that were very iffy (Slimy and sour) one was even starting to turn green. In the past I would have probably not continued, figured this would be a perfect test for stop-rot.
I immedieately started brushing on the stop-rot (skin side) and on the ears, eyes, nose and mouth, then skinned, turned (brushing stoprot as I went, fleshed, rebrushed let set a bit and salted. Sent to the tannery. They both have returned from the tannery (wet-tanned) and Voila! NO I repeat NO slippage whatsoever!
I suggest to everyone - and you won't be sorry - keep a bottle of Stop-rot on hand at all times! Works on mammals, birds and fish.
A Miracle Product created by Glen Conley. Go to the Post titled "SALT" below...for a detailed description and understanding of what it does...about the Revoulutionary Tanning System by GLEN CONLEY...WHITETAIL TANNING SYSTEM.
It's not JUST for Deer Carps...as you'll see in the fabulous photos in the Links on his indepth Tanning Training Site...step-by-step. I already have a few other friends converting over to it completely...Check it out for yourself...read it below....under "SALT" string posted a few days ago.
~ ETCC
To prevent this from happenuing to 'You'...Freezer Dying Damage...get the Freezer Alarm from WASCO or McKinney catalog. Best Insurance you can have to protect your investment and frozen sapecimens.
If the power goes off...temperatrure drops...the Alarm Goes Off audably and lets you know immediately.
~ ETCC
While you work on one cape keep the other in the fridge ok. Flesh the red meat off and apply salt to the hide. The more the marrier. This will draw the moisture out while you work and will slow bacteria growth considerably. Go ahead and turn everything after some salt ia applied. Then shake off salt and reaply new salt when threw turning. I would go ahead and let them dry hard if your not ready to tan then. Or you can goahead and tan them and rehydrate latter as well. It's up to you. Hope this helps.
MichelleW
Thanks for all the responses. I will definately buy some StopRot. They even have it on sale right now at TR Supply! Does this have to be brushed or can it be sprayed on? Is it a pretty thick consistancy? How many capes can a person get out of a quart bottle? Thanks! Smitty
Oops...first of all...I made a boo-boo...the SALT posting is in the TANNING Forum...not below in Beginner...worth your while to look it up.
The Stop-Rot...get about 12 capes from a quart of solution...brushed on or rubbed in with your hand is fine. You can also spray it and rub it in as well.
Bestest latest creation on the market...THANKS GLEN.
~ ETCC
If you're going to salt dry the hides or capes...first salt is applied by rubbing in vigorously...don't be bashful about using it.
Place the skin on a slant board to drain for 24-hours. Next day...shake off the loose salt...then Re-Salt again...then fold skin to skin and let it dry...if you're not going to flesh and pickle and tan it immediately.
If you want the detaioled step-by-step procedure...check out the site of Bruce Rittel.
~ ETCC
I just ordered my quart of Stop-Rot and will definately use it. So basically, paint brush or hand rub in Stop-rot, while thawing if possible, then procede with turning/splitting/rough fleshing and salt/drain as usual. Sounds like just the cure to my problem. I will salt dry and send to tannery, I tan the small critters but send off my capes. Thanks for all the helpful advise. The forums are full of positive endorsements of this product and I hope to add mine soon. Thanks again- Smitty