I recentley got a bobcat skin that my dad shot and just salted. It is properly fleshed except around the tail. I just can't seem to get the meat off right there. What should i do or what size of blade should i use? Also I used some neatsfoot oil paste cause i thaught it would be easier but when it dries its as stiff as a board, should I go ahead and tan it or is it the paste itself? It wasn't tanned it was salted very well but when I acquired it, it was like a board. Just some pointers would be great. Thanks.
Brandon, I have not fleshed any Bobcats yet so I cant give you any advice on the tail, but you do need to go through and tan this hide.It is still in a raw state and if left around moisture or somehow becoming wet, it would definately spoil or rot.
Tan it using Ez 100 by Rittels. It works great for cats. I always use a wire wheel for the cats, because they are so thin. I don't know if the foot oil will efect the ph or not, so Just to be on the safe side I would rinse the foot oil off really good in running water.Assuming you have split and turned the nose eyes and ears, Next I would put it directly in the pickle. Mix it 1 oz saftee acid , and 1 lb of salt to each gallon of water. leave it in for 3 days with a PH of under 2.0. Take it out and shave it down with a course wire wheel really good. also thin down the rest of the face really good. Now you're ready to degrease it. get some degreaser and soak it in it for a couple of hours. Now take it out and put it back in the pickle for 24 hours longer. Now take it out and neutralize it. mix it 1 oz. of baking soda to every gallon of water. soak in this bath for about 20 min. and take it out and rinse it really good. drain it for an hour. and mix the tanning bath. 8 oz of salt and one oz. ez 100 to each
gallon of water. check the ph. it should be 4.0. to raise it add small amounts of baking soda, and to lower it add small amounts of saftee acid. Let it soak for no longer than 24 hours. take it out and let it drain for 20 minutes. lay it out skin side out and apply Rittels Pro plus oil/ hot water mixture. Use 1 part pro plus to 2 parts hot water. paint on the oil with a paint brush, fold it up and let it sweat over night, then hang it up to dry. as it dries break it for a soft hide. Hope I helped.
-Brandon