I am using the dry preservative method. When fleshing a deer cape how do you keep it from drying out. Do you rehydrate it with water? Spray bottle? How much time does one have from the time they flesh to when it gets put on mannikin. Is there a point when it is too late to mount because it is too dry? I am probably not going to be very quick with fleshing. When it is fleshed can the cape be frozen for another day of mounting? Thank you!
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Kenny, Assuming you are working with a fresh cape in good condition you should be able to skin and flesh and store in a COLD refrigerator for 1 or 2 days easily before actually mounting. I see no need to freeze unless you won't get to it for a longer time. However if it's a cape that you are in question about you probably should not hold it unmounted any longer than you have too without freezing. Now in the old days I was taught to always pickle the cape, then neutralize it, DP it and mount. Pickling adds great working time to a deer cape and insures against hair slippage. I would recomend pickling the cape and thinning the skin down a lot-the more the better. In fact I would recommend tanning as well but that is just my preference. As for drying skin as you work with it, a little water misted on the skin side only should work fine. If the skin is drying due to heat be aware that skins can spoil rather quickly when allowed to become too warm. If the cape has warmed up much I would advise against rolling it up and plastic bagging. The refrigerator will take a long time to cool it down completely as it will insulate itself. Wrap in a damp towel instead with the cape folded in half. Deer can be mounted in several ways and good results can be had using any of them but tanning a cape gives the maximum amount of working time to the skin and the mounted cape will be much more inclined to stay where you put it. Whichever way you choose but for sure with DP use a good 2part adhesive- especially in the low spots. Enjoy, Aaron H.