Hi all,
After scouring the internet, I figured this is the best place I can find to get some expert advice:
I've got a 4-year-old son who ADORES Davy Crockett and who used to have an imitation coonskin cap that he wore Everywhere. But the cap got lost. My husband and I have talked about someday making him another, REAL one, and on Sunday we just happened to pass what appeared to be a freshly roadkilled raccoon on the side of the road. We stopped and looked at him - probably died of internal bleeding, but not messy at all, not stinky, no flies, just a bit stiff. So we said, "why not?" and put him in a paper sack in the trunk.
Well, to preserve him until we could do the necessary research on skinning, tanning, etc., we wrapped him in some plastic bags and put him in the freezer (I figured this might be a safe method of "putting him on hold" since a morgue keeps bodies cold, too). Luckily for me, my husband and a couple of friends have volunteered to all the dirty work, so I think I won't have much of a problem figuring out how to construct a cap out of the finished fur.
But the question is, how do we go about taking off his skin and tanning it so it is a nice, soft pelt that I can sew?
We've looked at a couple books from the library which mention salt and alum, is this the best way to go? I suppose we would prefer easily found "ingredients" to expensive chemicals...especially considering our boys are very inquisitive and get into everything. Also, should we worry about glands on the raccoon?
I appreciate all the help and advice I can get! This is a learning experience for all of us! Thanks!
~Daring Homeschool Mom
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Cute idea for your son. I'd get hold of WASCO on-line at www.taxidermy.com. They have tanning kits with great instructions. There are also all sorts of manuals and videos on skinning, etc, depending on how far you want to get into your project. Have fun!
IF you do a search on this site [orange button]you'll find just what you want.
If you got here through a "back door", type in "www.taxidermy.net/forums". If you came through the "front" you're set. Click on that orange "SEARCH" icon and type in "Coonskin cap". Everything you need is right there.