Krowtann

I’ve used Krowtann Whitetail for a few years now on deer and coyotes and haven’t used a degreaser with either one and sometimes I have them salted and sometimes I have them just fleshed, split and turned I don’t notice a difference either way but if they are salted I relax them first in water and a little salt. I haven’t done a bear yet but would probably use degreaser before putting in the Krowtann such as Kemal 4.
It’s important to shave the skin when instructed.

 

Bears need to be degreased during the pickle process. Though I’m not a fan at anytime of using krowtan but pickle for three days in your krowtan, drain, shave, degrease ( tru-bond works great) then back in pickle and it still might need another degreasing but professionals understand when it needs another one or not, back to pickle and followed by tanning cause you raise the pH in krowtan to set the tan.

 

When I first started out Krowtann was a big thing! And it worked amazing, it shaves very good, nice stretch. I don't recommend salting your hide before Krowtann. Just flesh, turn, split. Get your batch of Krowtann together and drop your hide in. I had a auto tanner back then, but I also used a rubbermaid stock tank, mixed up a large batch and did several at a time with Krowtann. Krowtann gets a bad rep on here, I think mostly because it has so many chemicals in it, that just doesn't seem logically possible to tan anything. Seems like more of a strong pickle, actually overkill on a pickle really! Becareful, that stuff can take your breath away literally. But I've done hundreds of whitetail with it, a few coyote, bobcats, elk, etc. and had amazing results. I no longer use it because I work in a high volume now, and it's not practical with the cost of a bottle. On Ozark Woods website, they sell KrowOil and Krowsoap, the soap smells amazing. I've used all their products and they work extremely well!

 

Know soap is actually bio lodge shampoo sold at any beauty shop

 

Krow

 

Follow the instructions on the bottle. Do not deviate in any way, and you will be successful.

 

Krowtan is a great product for in house tan/preservative (It’s not a “real” tan, it is said). While often maligned, many companies have tried to come up with a similar product that competes with ease of use and effectiveness. I’ve done hundreds of deer, many coyotes, bobcats, elk and bear. Greasy hides need to be degreased, as with any other tan. In my experience, if you follow the instructions precisely, it gives a good tan for taxidermy mounting. There is no need to salt the hide prior to tanning. It is nearly fool proof, very forgiving if you make mistakes or having time restraints, and acts fast enough that it can actually save some questionable hides. Follow the directions and you will be fine.

 

If you want to make your mount look ok for a couple years use it, after that it will go south. The difference between krowtan and an actual tan after 5 years is staggering.

 

I have been using it for years. none of the mounts have gone south. all still look like they did when I first mounted them. you will be fine using it.

 

I’ve got krowtan mounts well over 10 years old and have seen other mounts from other taxidermists well over that age with absolutely no deterioration whatsoever. I’m not saying that I have seen “some” Krowtan mounts have lasted without without any sign of deterioration over time. I am saying that, as a matter of fact, I’ve never seen any (not one) Krowtan hide “go bad” - ever. I have had a couple of hides commercially tanned that fell apart over time from acid rot…apparently not neutralized, but never a single problem from a krowtanned hide.
I’m not trying to start a debate, and I’m not expressing an opinion, but sharing my personal verifiable experience.

 

Have some 14 years old and have not changed one bit.