My Question is on something I have noticed happening with my early season deer capes.They seem to take forever to dry after salting.I skin out the capes then I immediately apply a coating of salt to the entire skin to begin to stabilize it.(because I am still somewhat slow at splitting and turning.)I then split and flesh the cape.I then completely cover the cape with 1/2 inch of salt-leave sit for a day and repeat.Then I hang the skins to dry. My "prime" later season skins are rock hard in a couple days, but the early season "blue" skins seem to take much longer.I guess my question is why? Also does anyone have suggestions on what to do with all this used salt?
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Dave;
It has a lot to do with the humitity at that time of the year. The more humid it is the slower the drying process is. Try putting your hides in a room with a dehumidifier in it.
Coyote
They are in a "dehumidified" room and I have a fan on them during the day.
Sounds like you might be in Florida, this is a common problem here,humidity soars around 90% daily ,until it cools down in December then the hides dry quickly.
The early season capes have hair thats set deeper in the skin, and dry slower. Next time try stretching the capes out when salting, it helps!