I have the Sally Dahmes Whitetail/Muledeer Taxidermy System book.
On page 73 she describes the steps involved in cape preparation.
They are
1. rough flesh
2. salt
3. thin
4. tanning oil procedure
5. final shaving, after tanning is complete.
In Sallys book she does NOT use a pickle, she just re hydrates using a salt/ water solution which she calls a brine.
Is the pickle step absolutely necessary?
Must you add an acid to the 'brine' and check the PH etc?
Sallys method must have worked for her, look at whats shes done.
Or was she wrong?
Can someone fill me in on this, thanks.
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I have not read her book but I have watched her video. And in the video she pickles the cape. I always pickled my capes when tanning. It kills bacteria as long as the ph balance is correct. It also plumps the skin and makes it much easier to shave the hide. It also helps the skin accept the tannins. I am sure Bruce Rittel could go into more specifics of what happens in the process. But I would pickle.
Todd B
I believe she liqua-tanned in that book. I don't have it in front of me at the moment.
Hey Greg, Its just another method of using liqua tan. I personally use a pickle at all times. I believe that it allows the oil to penetrate the skin much easier. Bob C