I am new to taxidermy and started collecting practice animals to work on (deer, fox, mink, etc). I started around deer hunting and got more than I barganed for. I'm in MN and it's cold so I left some out of the freezer (it's a small freezer) in the garage. I do know that optimally I need to double bag them and keep them in the freezer, however, due to size etc., I couldn't. It has been cold the entire time, however, some are caped, some are not (and not bagged at all). Does anyone know how long I can stretch this without harm to the capes? I'm concerned with slippage as well as things drying out too much. Thank you in advance. Scott
Return to Beginners Category Menu
but you might have a problem with the freezer in the garage. The cold temps from the garage "might" not let the freezer work like it should. My brother had the same set-up with a refrigerator and food spoiled.
Everything dries out in the kind of weather we've been getting lately. If you don't bag and seal everything it dries out where you won't be able to turn the ears or split the eyes and noses. If it's been since deer season and they haven't been bagged you already have damage. Slippage is not your problem, but this week might thaw things a bit. The problem with garages is they often warm up quite a bit above the outside air temp. I just had a late head brought in last weekend, stored just like you have your stuff. It was dried out, not beyond workable, but certainly not what it should have been.
What about those that were kept in the freezer the whole time but not caped and bagged. Thank you.
you could skin, split and turn everything then salt dry the hides until your ready to tan, then just rehydrate the dried skins in cold salt water until soft and proceed with tanning. This will lock the hair in place and won't take up freezer space.