I have a couple of customers that are going bison hunting. They said if they get any they want them shoulder mounted and the back hide soft tanned. Here's my problem. I've never sent anything to a tannery before. Do I need to completely dry them with salt first? And would a dry or wet tan be the better choice for the capes? I'm a little unsure of getting them rehydrated properly.
BTW, these customers know that I have never done bison or sent out to a commercial tannery. It is not the first time they have brought me something I've never done, so they are o.k. with that. They know the risks, although everything else has always turned out fine. I've also told them that I don't know if I "really" want to tackle a bison, but they feel confident that I can handle it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, BP
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.....Will be to find a reliable tanner that will accept bison capes. Many do not like doing them. Take the eye to nose measurement but leave the neck measurement til after they are tanned. Wet tanning is by far the best way for the capes, but your choice of tanner may influence that. Wet tanned capes are heavier to ship and if you are using a tanner across the country it could cost a lot more. A well shaved dry tanned cape is not that hard to rehydrate, not any more difficult than a deer cape actually. EXCEPT for the ears. I am sorry , I don't recall if you have ever indicted where you live, so I can't really recommend a tanner nearby.
I live in central Texas.
Thanks, BP
The best tannery in Texas for your bison would be South Texas Fur Dressers. They only dry tan and it is a great job. Price is not cheap (around $300 for a cape) but it comes back combed and ready to mount. You must also send it in salted and dried. If need be, I can also offer wholesale fleshing for you. They are located in Victoria, right down the road from me. Their number is 361-578-8154 if you want to give them a try. Good luck.
Leslie
I have used Advantage in Houston. I quit using them only because I found a closer tanner that I liked. Shipping from up here in the North was getting expensive. The only problem I had with them was a lack of shaving on a few whitetail capes. Our northern capes can be quite thick. They do wet tan, but I don't know if they do bison.
... and request that the Old Shaver gets the cape. Ha Ha, he will love that!
Those large Bison capes are very hard to shave the first fleshing...and he is getting so old. LOL