I've done three deer mounts so far. I DP'd each one and had the same thing happen all three times. I am a ROOKIE so it took me a while to flesh and turn the cape. By the time I was done, it appeared that the hair was starting to slip slightly......on each of the mounts.
After a sufficient amount of drying time, each cape tightened up.
Is this normal with DP (since I don't have the salt to "set" the hair)?
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It's not a slip either. The hair just pulls out. That's why when you DP something, you COMPLETE it, groom it and then leave it the hell alone for a couple weeks. Once the DP dries the hide sufficiently, the hair will lock in forever.
Don't let your hide get warm if it takes you a while to flesh it stop through it back in the freezer skin side out for a few minutes just enough to put the chill back in it.Just starting out you may have to do this a few times and then do exactly what George said, finish it completely and leave it alone.. Good luck
Just tan your hides and pickle them. No more worries about the DP then. They make excellent products now that are easy to use for tanning your hides. I have been using formic acid baths and I also use Rittels Safetee Acid both work great for pickling hides. Try doing that and buy some McKenzie tan or even liqua tan for oiling your hides. I think you will be happy with the results and the quality of your hides. Good Luck, Dan
This is the BEGINNERS Category and I know of one helluva lot of professionals who continue to use DP. I MYSELF for one DON'T tan squirrels, foxes, coons or skunks. I don't tan birds either. I have one deer I mounted with DP in 1976 sitting right between several of my newer tanned mounts. I'd defy anyone to come in here and tell me the difference (they're all equally crappy). The question was legitimate and the results have stood the test of time, some a whole lot longer than the fabled "tanning solves all your problems" theories that abound in this industy.
I have seen and I know you have too, many taxidermist take many awards at shows with DP mounts. I just won't do it. Nothing is ever 100% safe or problem free. I was just offering him an alternative. I used DP when I first started. The mounts still look as crappy as the day I mounted them too. I have seen mounts that had DP used on them and all the hair has fallen out over time. One that stands out the most in my head is an opposum that a taxidermy school had as a reference as why not to use DP. It was 20-25 years old and if the critters aren't ugly enough this one had lost the majority of his hair. Good Luck with your taxidermy adventure Wolfe.
Dan Hudzik
Some denature alcohol as you flesh on the flesh side and also use DP as you flesh, the alcohol will prevent bacteria.
The best DP is Van Dykes Instant preserve.