This is my second year saving the pelts from my meat rabbits. I really want to have some nice, soft, furry hides to work with this fall/winter. I have 4 hides right now. I salted them (open, not cased), and spinkled alum (is this the same stuff as used in pickling solutions?) on them (flesh side of course), rolled them flesh side in, and put them in a huge freezer bag, and froze them. They have been in there for about 2-3 weeks now (have to check books to be sure). NOW WHAT? I know I need to flesh them. Someone mentioned scraping tail to head to prevent tearing? But then what do I do with them? What is a pickle? What is it the difference between a pickle and a tan? Is it going to be a problem that I didn't rock hard dry my pelts first? I did that last year, but when I went to wash the pelts, they didn't dry well and started to stink! Maybe because I didn't flesh them right away? I don't want to offend the family with stinky hides hanging around. <G> Lots of questions, but hey, how else will I learn? Thank you!
Kim Smith
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Wowzers...my set of encyclopedias is too far to reach. On the serious side...it would take a BOOK to answer all your quetions indepth. Suggest you look in the Archives...all those questions are answered there hundreds of times with detailed procedures.
Get the WASCO set of 7-Booklet Taxidermny Training Course for starters...only $19.95. Then if you're seriopus...get the WASCO set of 6-Videos Taxidermy Training Course...which compliments the booklets course...teach you HOW to do it by video training.
THEN...The Breakthrough Taxidermy Training Manuals also freom WASCO...they will teach you what you are asking...and more than you realize. Great investment in your education. Best of luck.
~ ETCC
<G> Bruce just sent me a long detailed process of using the EZ-2000 kit. It was covering hides in general. I have been told that rabbit is extreamly easy compaired to other hides. If what Bruce sent me is applicable to rabbit too, I guess I am in for a fun project.
I will also look into the references you made. Thank you!
Kim
Kim
I wouldn't put alum on the hides. You can skin a rabbit and put the skin directly in the freezer in plastic bags. Alum is probably the reason the hides started shrinking on you.