After reading the discussions about tanning vs DP I decided to come up with my own system.
Being from Texas, the land of self reliance, tall tales and hubcaps for belt buckles I noticed my system on the road.
My system is this "Black asphalt road fur" or BARF for short. I noticed numerous roadkills flattened but still holding fur. Since the fur did not slip from a carcus even after being run over and cooked on the pavement I decided this must be the correct system for a taxidermist to use. I get better results because I prepare the skin before the barf system is implemented. Cape deer, no need to flesh, just turn hide inside out, find a very busy black top road, the more traffic the better, throw hide onto road and leave. Pick up your hide at the end of the day. No one will pick it up so it will be there. The traffic will press and flesh hide from friction and weight. The heat from the sun softens the asphalt releasing oil which is absorbed into the skin producing a perfect tan. Note only use this method during the summer months and on a day which it will not rain. If your real lucky some tar will actually adhere to cape and you will not need to use hide paste. If you live in the country you can have the boys over and create fake traffic. Large 4x4 tires work great for a nice press on the hide. Remember you heard it here first!
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I bet this system can free up your time so much, you could probably mount a deer or Bobcat for $200 LOL Are there any tricks you forgot to tell us about? What do you do in the winter when the asphalt is cold? What if the roads near your trailer don't get much traffic? What if other taxidermist in your area catch on? How would you separate your three hundred capes from their three hundred capes? This could be a real can of worms (literally) Have you thought this system out completely? Wouldn't want any angry customers. I'll have to check with that Yoxie guy to see if he approves. He said he loves me last week. (yuck) I like the SP.
Tony
Here all this time...I bin putting them thar skins on gravel roads. Takes me a year to sew up all the holes and pick out the stones. Thanks for the heads up from a Northerner Redneck to a Southernerer one...good tips.
~ ETCC
You know. Peace-