We have succeeded in skinning this monster(raccoon) out. Most of the fat has been scraped off. Now what? We are attempting to make a rug. Are these the right steps.
1) Salt hide.
2) Wash thourghly.
3) Pickle Hide
4) Degrease--extremely fat coon!(Whats the best way?)
5) thin and tan?
You're expertise and responses are greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
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-salt TWICE
-dry ROCK HARD
-Rehydrate (Kemal-4)
-RINSE
-PICKLE.....SHAVE.......PICKLE....DEGREASE.....PICKLE.....
-NEUTRALIZE
-TAN
-COLLECT MONEY
Having grown up a raccoon hunter, the way my dad and I would do it is, skin them out and freeze them. Then we would sell them to the fur buyrer, but when I wanted to try and tan one I took it out of the freezer and before it was completely thrawed out, ( only because I had no paitence then) I flesh it on the fleshing beam. I could not believe how easy it fleshed, when I was done I had a nice white clean hide. The fat all came off and it was not real oily, then I salted the tar right out of it. At least twice, heavy, and then I let it get rock hard, when I was ready to tan it, I took it and soaked it in water mixed with salt, when it rehydrated, I washed it in dawn dish soap real good, and then rinsed it real good, I let it drain awhile, then followed the pickeling and tanning and oiling instructions. At the time I had taken an old dryer and made a tumbler for sawdust. The hides turned out great, that was 5 years ago and I still have them, waiting to make full mounts someday, hopes this helps.
.........you're wering gloves while handling this creature.
Coons are notorious for being carriers of Distemper, Rabies as well as many other Parasites dangerous to both humans and pets.
Just as a safety precaution for all to think about. I feel its as inportant to yourr tanning process!
Have a great day to all,
Dave
Is there some way we could put these steps in highlights and make everyone read them and agree to them before they can enter the forum? these steps are the best way to consistantly tan hides if your using barrels and soaking solutions.