Submitted by EB on 11/22/1998. ( )
I have a question regarding cartilage removal on a tanned deer cape. I sent a deer cape to a tannery and left the cartilage in the ear because I had intended to use the Bondo ear mounting method. Now that I have received the tanned deer cape back from the tannery I would like to use earliners instead. Can I safely remove the cartilage remaining in the tanned deer cape to allow for earliner usage? Or is it to much of a risk? EB
Return to Beginners Category Menu
This response submitted by Keith Daniels on 11/24/1998. ( arlcape@bright.net )
EB, many of the capes we tan have the cartlige left in for later removal. Some like to leave it since it makes the inner ear skin tougher, so less chance of a tear. The only difference is, instead of just getting the thick edge started and working your thumb across to strip it out, you will have to use the knife more. Just take your time untill you get used to it then it will be rather simple. Just start by coming up about 1/2 way on the inside edge, thick edge, of the ear. You'll see where it makes a curve toward the center of the ear the straightens out again. Right at the top of this curve, use a knife to start separateing the cartlige, then work across the center toward the outside edge, thin edge. When you get in to about the middle, start working toward the tip also. When you are clear across and have the tip stripped out, work it down to the ear canal, and you're done. We pull all the whitetail cartige when the cape is fresh and it takes about 2 minutes after you get the hang of it. On Mulies and antelope we wait until they are tanned, mostly because by the time they get back here they are so dry the inner ear won't seperate easy.
Keith
This response submitted by Bill on 11/28/1998. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
Keith runs a successful tannery yet I do it different then he does. I PREFER to pull the cartilage after the cape is tanned and soaked up. I find that for me, the cartilage comes off with less cutting and is more predictable. You'll find that in time you'll favor one over the other as well.
Return to Beginners Category Menu