Could anyone let me know when I can remove a wolf from my freezer,the problem is I live in manitoba(canada) and our temps right now are between 22-32c and I don,t have ac.nor a basement to work in only a garage is there a prime temp I should wait for to pull it out at? it was skinned out by the customer(my brother so I don,t have any pressure in regards to time lines)but without knowing how well it was fleshed etc I would like to get it out and tanned (what do you think of liqua tan?)then i,ll just refreeze and work on when we get a cooler streach of weather thanks
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I live in HAWAII and "prime temps" are not an option. Soooo, I work on capes in my garage as well. But in temps of 85 degrees! Of course I operate like im an emergency room doctor because of this. If it's any cool at all where you're at and you know how to handle that hide you'll be fine whether its 25 or 40 degrees. Of course I deal in ferinheit. (spelling?)
If you can , put the frozen skin in your refrigerator for a few days . This way it will defrost without the outside thawing first . Rick
That should be "FRIDGE". Fridge came from a time when Frigidare was the only maker of refrigerators. So "fridge" was just a shortened version of the name brand. And besides, that other word was already taken. LOL
Dont leave the skin in the "frig" too long...even a couple of days can spell disaster...especially with predators and particularly if you dont know the condition of it. Remember...time, moisture and heat...any of those elements alone or combined are the enemy. Bacteria doesnt quit working in the cold...it just slows down...in the freezer, its dormant...in the fridge (once thawing has begun) its just a little slower. Me, personally, I would take it out and stay with it...work on something else...it wont take it long to start thawing and ...keep a fan on and get to fleshing.
Hi Hogger, My wife and I love vacationing in Hawaii, but now she is starting to fret our next trip as I am planning on hunting turkeys while there. I should tell here that I have to help out another taxidermist skinning during the beautiful 84 degree's weather, she might stay home.
OAKTREE, Anytime I have something that could spoil, I take the time to skin, flesh, and salt & dry as soon as I get the mammal. Then it's not a problem
use Stop Rot. I live in South Texas and it is very very hot here during the summer. I used stop rot on a hide that I would be prepping in the heat. Before I found out about stop rot I would salt the hide. It's kind of a pain in the butt to work around the salt but I have never ever lost a skin this way. Knock on Wood! Thank goodness for the AC I just installed. You might check into getting a window unit AC and crank that bad boy to COLD. Also, if you do have a Fridge, you can work a little while and throw it back in to cool it back out. Contrary to a comment earlier I don't agree with, it is ok to leave them in the fridge in my opinion. I thaw everything in the fridge. It is much safer than letting it thaw in the heat. Just my opinion but like I said, it is very hot here.
Read it again...it doesnt say its not ok...just be careful and not too long...a "few days" can be trouble.
This is a great place for taxidermists new and experienced to get info cause everyone here has short cuts and advice. I learn everytime I get a chance to come on here. I think we all know that deterioration starts as soon as the animal is dead so getting it cooled down is of major importance. And once bacteria gets a foot hold we are all working like crazy. So the key is slow deterioration and bacterial growth. And it all starts at 39 degrees. Once the temp gets to that high you are working agaunst time. In the winter(NC) I do a lot of work outside, skinning, fleshing. But in the summer I got to have that ac. I would advise sticking a thermometer in your fridge tomake sure it is around that 39 degree and check the hide as it thaws. You guys/dolls are great!