Having some trouble ripping the ear's. Should I leave the cartlidge in until the tanning process is done? I have ripped the edges twice already.
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Ripping ears is not all bad . Every time I rip ears I force myself to slow down and take my time . It also forces you to get very good at ear repair ! I truely believe that a good percentage of mistakes made are from being rushed or just not taking the right amount of time to complete the project . It is rare when I damage ears anymore but when I do I remember why . To answer your question though I would take your cartilage out before it gets salted but that is just me . Good luck on them ears. I have a couple techniques I use to turn ears that might be helpful . Email me if you need help .
on a white tail, yes i think it's best to leve them it until the
tanning is done it seem to me the tanning make's them stronger.i leve the about a 3/4 rimm around the edge of the ear,let it tan then open to the edge then remove the cartlidge
hope this help's
Go to the McKenzie website and look at how to remove the cartilage while reducing the possibilities of tearing. The center of the ear is the most delicate place and you should insure that hair is not being pulled through the skin as you remove the cartilage. IF IT IS, take your scalpel and scape it off the cartilage until the tender spot is passed.
I put my capes in the freezer for bout an hour then pull the out and bend the ear, cut cartiladge with scapal being careful not to cut the skin, then carefully peel cartilage away, this works good for me but may not work for you.
Nothing more aggravating than trying to turn the ears and remove the cartiladge on dry or freezer burned ears. I always rehydrate with an insulin syringe and flex the cartiladge. Like above, bend the ear and start about 1/3 way up from butt. Work slowly to the edge. Keep practicing you'll get it.
Ron