I just received a bobcat, grey fox, ringtail, and a coyote that have all been soft tanned. I have never mounted a soft taned hide before usually dryed out or wet tanned. Do you still need to rehydrate these hides or just the head. If so do you just use the standard salt and water? I have looked through the numerous posts in the archives but could not find.
Thanks
Asher
Return to Tanning Category Menu
If you're rugging the, you can sometimes get away with just the head and feet, but if you're mounting them, the whole hide must be rehydrated. Bear rugs also need the complete job as they need to be stretched symmetrically before sewing on the backing.
They will be for full mounts, so then I need to re-hydrate the whole skin ... how long would you leave it in for? I usually just leave it in until it softens up and then put it in a bag and throw in the fridge overnight to sweat, right? Thanks for the input.
Asher
Use the following formula so as not have a lot of salt left in the skin afterwards.
1 Gl. of Water
4 Ozs. of Salt
Soak the skin for 30 minutes (not until its soft - just wet)
Remove it - and place it in a plastic garbage bag. Tie it off!
Place it in your frig overnight and it should be soft and ready to prep the next morning.
The moisture from the short soak will do it for you. Although you didnt mention what was used to tan it - this method is extremely safe and reliable for almost all tans.
Thanks for the reply Bruce. The hides are VERY soft like what you find for a wall hanger (at least the ones I have). Are there any tans that this formula would not be compatible with? I e-mailed the person I bought these from and asked about the tan.
Asher
But no there is no tan on the market that wouldn't work with the formula Bruce gave you. It's the one that works with them all.
MY son got his first deer in a youth hunt,and I would like to tan the
hide I know to soak it in salt water to soften it,then what scrape excess fat off,strecth it then soak it again with maybe mink oil
to soften it again.If anyone can help my SON would greatly appreciate
it as well as myself
thank you
GET-R-DONE
Please e-mail me by clicking on my address above and I will "copy and paste" a copy of our step by step instructions for our EZ-2000 Tanning Kit to you. Print it out and it may be helpful to you and your son.