I have a gray fox that was commercially tanned that was initially skinned out, salted and dried rock hard. To make a long story short I mounted it yesterday and it looks fine. While doing some final tweeking, I noticed that some of the hair on the top of its back and sides pulls out easily. Obviously I will not be touching it until I am confident that it is dry. I had this happen on 1 other deer shoulder mount years ago and it locked up nicely when dry. I am hoping the same happens with this fox. I am thinking the tannery may have shaved it too thin as the follicles are visible on the skin side. I used Buckeye Supreme hide paste. Is there anyone out there who can share some knowledge on this? I have checked the archives, but info on slippage with tanned fox hides is limited.
Thanks in advance.
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Fred, I mounted a gray fox for the GSTA competition two years ago and had the same experience. I tanned the skin myself with Lutan-F and I'm sure I shaved along the dorsal seam and the shoulder are a little
too deep. That area and the top of the head/face are the thickest parts of the skin on these critters. I don't shave reds or grays that deeply any longer just to be safe. The hair does lock up in most cases. Any time you see the hair follicles you have to be careful and let it dry before doing too much grooming.
Glenn
What are you doin messing around with fur, getting tired of feathers(LOL). Leave it alone, it should be fine or not by the time you read this, Paul