I am leaving to go to Newfoundland for a moose hunt in about a week. We will be driving up to Newfoundland from Pennsylvania. We will be driving home. There are three of us going. We are hauling a freezer and generator in the back of a pick up to bring the meat home. ( boned, butchered and vaccume sealed) I'm not sure we will have enough room for all three capes. We have coolers for them. Anyhow, What is the best way to bring the capes home? I was told by a friend, that hunted there last year, that the outfitter does not turn the ears or split the lips. I will probably do that myself. And they use rock salt to salt the hide. If I can get the cape frozen for the trip home, is it better to freeze it with or with out salting? I thought that salt may prevent the freezing a bit or cause it to thaw too quick. I even thought to crush up the rock salt to get it into the important areas ( lips, bell, etc.) Any answers would be appreciated
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I did the same program as you back in 2001. We went into Canada from Michigan on 9/11 and go stuck in a mess at customs before proceeding. I spent the time at base camp clean skinning the cape and splitting the eyes and lips and opening the ears. That big blubbery nose was a real trip to trim down!(LOL) I took along (2) boxes of pickling salt to use in it. After salting I let it lay open to drain until we left. Then I rolled it up and put it in 2 big garbage bags for the trip home. It was fine. When I got home I opened it up to dry hard. Good Luck Chuck. Going to Newfoundland is like going to another world.
One or the other but not both. I wouldnt salt it if your not going to turn or split anything, it makes it much harder down the road. Also rock salt does a poor job, you need a fine "table" salt. Coolers with some ice packs should be fine. Good luck Mark Natures-Reflection.com
They're hunting moose and caribou.. They lined there truckbed with 2'' foam and foam over the top. It's 31 hrs from central NY and it will get here still frozen. They freeze everything solid except for obviously the stuff they get on the last day of the hunt. But it works! I told them either to freeze the capes asap, or if the freezing isn't available then salt with fine salt and put in cooler or cool area. Their outfitter uses fine salt not rock salt. I guess someone has complained to him before...
untill the final fleshing is done! Dont believe me? You soon will.