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How Long Can You Freeze A Hide

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by 101stcurrahee, Jun 23, 2020.

  1. Jun 23, 2020 #1
    101stcurrahee

    101stcurrahee Member

    34
    4
    How long would you feel safe keeping an unfleshed/unsalted hide frozen?

    On my last few badgers I noticed some hair coming out on one that I froze overnight when I tossed them in the pickle. I handled them all the same way coming straight home and skinning them. But it got late so I threw one in the freezer and fleshed it the next day.


    Coincidence? It's also 90 degrees and it takes me several hours of fleshing in the sun before I can get sale on them.
     
  3. Jun 23, 2020 #2
    Fallenscale

    Fallenscale Well-Known Member

    569
    417
    NY
    You can keep a pelt/hide in the freezer a long time if it is sealed well in a air tight plastic bag. Freeer burn is caused by the moisture being removed.

    If you feel the slippage is caused by the summer heat you can rub in borax to slow the bacteria growth and it also helps soak up the moisture in the fat and skin.
     

  5. Jun 24, 2020 #3
    Tanglewood Taxidermy

    Tanglewood Taxidermy Well-Known Member

    8,835
    8,390
    dallas oregon
    I have handled coyote hides I froze in a frost free freezer wrapped as Fallenscale said that was frozen for at least three years with no problems. I have handled coyote hides the same way that were in a manual defrost chest freezer that were frozen for 12 years that were just like a fresh hide.
     
  6. Jun 24, 2020 #4
    Frank E. Kotula

    Frank E. Kotula master, judge, instructor

    3,445
    1,532
    wilkes barre
    The biggest issue would be freezer burn but with today’s products like stop rot really aid in bringing them back to life.

    Reading more into your thread as badgers are so fatty and being hot and the time your spending fleshing is more of a culprit to having slippage.
     
    101stcurrahee likes this.
  7. Jun 24, 2020 #5
    joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    13,594
    7,875
    Chunky, Mississippi
    Most deer capes crammed in a garbage bag and frozen have a maximum life of about 3 years. They don't get better with age...like wine!
     
  8. Jul 27, 2020 #6
    Grant Mc

    Grant Mc New Member

    9
    4
    Village Mills Texas
    I agree with Joey M. After about 3 years the nose and lips start to freezer burn.