just started out doing deer heads and was looking to have someone flesh on a machine several green hides for me,turn the ears ,lips everything that needs to be done so i can take them when they come back and mount using dp,i only do a couple a year my own and some buddys of mine ,and i cant seem to spend the money on a fleshing machine, thanks
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You "only do a couple a year"? How very long do you take to do a "couple" yourself? There are services available, but most will be tied to a tannery. Since you're DPing them, I don't see where your problem is unless you're very scared of doing them yourself. Anyone can stick a hide on a manikin, but that prep work is the key to the whole process.
Paul, we are Dodge City Cape, Hide & Skull. We are located in Northeast, PA. Our business is prepping hides. We split and turn ears, nose, lips and eyes, flesh the hides (and salt and dry them if wanted or we can send them back to you frozen)and we are not tied to any tannery, but offer free delivery to a couple different tanneries. We charge $25 per deer cape, if interested please feel free to call us at 570-364-8181 or email us with any questions you may have.
George, I have read these forums for about a year or so and you seem like a very intelligent and caring person for all the time and effort you put forth in answering our questions here and I for one am very grateful. I have tried to flesh a cape by hand and it took me approximately several hours to do so, I like many people when doing a job may look at it and say " is this worth my all my time and effort to do this or can someone do this cheaper time wise " .
I have a full time job and am not looking to make a career in taxidermy, just mount some of my own stuff and a few things for some buddies ( who are willing to take a chance on me ), in saying this lets look a couple of scenarios.
1- know days is it worth our time and effort to do are own oil changes on our cars or take it to the local qwik lube or the dealer ship ,heck around here I can get that done for about 18.00, I don't think I can even buy the supplies for that.
2- when needing a hair cut do we go to the barber or do it our self , I get one several times a year but I don't think its worth my time and effort to and humiliation to do this at home.
All I am saying is we all look into different services that will make are lives a little easier, again I appreciate your in put thanks you
This is where tanning becomes a great option. By the time you've removed the hide and antlers the hardest part is done. It only takes an hour to remove red meat, split eyes and mouth, remove cartilage from nose, and split ears. A little salt and and you're ready for shipping. That one hour now has you ready to ship to a tannery so you'll know you're dealing with a quality product. Beginners and part timers can now be assured that their busy schedule will not become part of the equation of an "OOPS". I get my stuff dry tanned so I can work on it when I'M ready. Keeps it hassle free and gives me control of the factors that can add to some real headaches down the line. It truly is worth the extra effort. Good Luck!
I do my own mounts to and am also short on time. What I do on most of mine is turn the eyes, lips, nose, & ears one evening (then put the hide in the refrigerator to keep it cool). The next evening I'll flesh, wash & mount (with D.P.). The next evening I detail my eyes and install my hide pins in all the detailed areas. When I'm finished I put a fan on it and leave it alone for 2 or 3 weeks (until completely dry) and then I can finish my mount. 6 to 8 hours total. Hope this helps & Good luck !
Paul just did what so many others fail to do...explain himself without fighting. That was a classy way of explaining that to George. I know George, so I know his logic and manner, yet I see so many folks take offense to what he says. Paul, on the other hand, seemed to understand completely. Alot of us could learn something about replies from Paul. Good luck with your capes. To me, that $25 would be money well spent, I know I wouldnt do them for that! Heck, I hate doing mine!
Now that were on the subject, anyone ever send a green cape out for a wet tan? Ever have it sit in a UPS truck for two extra days and be redirected to another town by accident? Well I did! NOT FUN to say the least. The tannery called me ASAP and said no good! Then I started to send them 3 day in the winter to avoid spoilage and the shipping charges were outragous sending 20 at a time. Its not fun telling a customer their cape isn't any good, but hey! I got a check comming from UPS for $200 for ya. Not trying to discourage anyone from sending frozen capes but once you learn the taxi part salting and drying is more secure. But hey I'll admit that in a pinch I may send 1-2 out now and again.