First off, I know there are some good tanneries out there. So I finally started to send some deer capes and lifesize items that I normally do, out to see how they come back. Now last year I got in I think it was 52 deer heads . I shaved and tanned them all in shop. I never tore the face and I think I sowed maybe four holes that I caused from the fleshing machine. All of the foxes and bobcats same thing, no holes and they still had there whiskers.
Now I decided that I was going to send some of my own hides and a few customer hides out to different tanneries to see how they came back so I could lighten my load this deer season because my business is growing and I do not want to get behind in my work. Here's the bad news:
The deer capes and lifesize that I get back have holes in the face, lips tore bad, and multiple holes in body that I have to sit and sew up. The foxes and bobcats have multiple holes, ears tore all to pieces, and whiskers missing.
Now the african pieces that I have had tanned have been great. So is this something to expect. I mean, I expect to spend time on say a kudu but when I am mounting deer I want to get busy and mount not sit and sew and piece back together lips and ears.
What to do that is the question?
Thanks for listening, or reading,
David
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I have been sending out my tanning for over thirty years and NEVER have I had that kind of problem. An occasional hole shaved in a cape, yes, now and then but not often. And never in the face. Do I send my capes to the tanner with the quickest promised delivery time? Hell No! I expect my capes to be gone from five to eight months. For most of those years I have used Carolina Fur Dressing with New Method getting a good amount of work too. Recently I used Advantage Fur Dressing, but they didn't shave them thin enough. Who ddd you use that your are having all these problems?
I'm still waiting for a bear from last November.
I love it! Great wet tan,little shrinkage,nice and stretchy. As always,well shaved and not full of holes.
Advantage FD always did a great job on the furbearers for me- foxes,bobcats, and coyotes.