Bison and Large Game

Hides must be cleaned, fleshed, and thoroughly salt dried, Moisture is the enemy.

For best results plepare hides immediately after takiang, Do it Today, do not wait till tomorrow.

Flesh the hide immediately after skinning and be sure to remove all meat and fat. Salt thoroughly with fine ground salt. Lay out on an inclined surface so moisture may drain off the hide and evaporate. An inclined pallet works well. Air circulation is critical. Use fans to help speed the drying process. Change the salt every 24 hours for at least the first 3-4 days, as wet salt will not draw moisture out of the hide. Shake off the excess salt and continue to dry for several days. Once the hide is stiff enough that you can barely bend it, fold it two or three times or roll it so it is as small as possible. Continue to dry the hide out until completely stiff. Do not package them until completely dry. Skins will not finish drying packed inside a box.

Do not put inside plastic bags

Make sure that you put a lot of salt on the hide so it will cover every inch. Pack it well so as not to leave any air pockets.

Do not roll the hide and attempt to freeze before the hide has been properly cleaned and dried.

Keep in mind that weather plays a big role in how fast the hide dries.

IMPORTANT: AFTER SALTING NEVER FREEZE UNTIL ABSOLUTELY DRY!



Re-hydration Instructions

 

Use warm water. Between 85 and 90 degrees F.

Add 1% salt to the water. (about 1/2 lb. for five gallons of water)

Re-hydrate the facial areas including he eyes and nose by soaking in the salt water for 20 minutes. Then submerge the rest of the cape for 5 to 10 minutes.

Drain the skin by hanging for 20 minutes to one hour.

Fold the skin up and put it in an airtight plastic bag and let it sweat overnight.

Mount as usual.

Small Game

Hides must be cleaned, fleshed and throughly air dryed.

 

Small hides may also be salt dried like big game.

 

Do not air dry big game. Salt it.

 

Continue to dry the hide untill completely stiff. Do not package them until completely dry. Skins will not finish drying packed inside a box.

 

Keep in mind that weaher plays a big role in how fast the hide dryes.

 

IMPORTANT: AFTER DRING NEVER FREEZE UNTIL ABSOLUTELY DRY!

 

Damage Policy

MMT is a commercial tannery and, althogh we try our best, minor damage sometimes occurs. If the damage is minor and repairable we wiill expect you to repair it as part of being a taxidermist, trapper, trademan, etc. and like wise we will make no compensation.

 

Additionally, if in the first stages of tanning we notice that one of the skins is developing a problem ( hair slippage, excessive matting, etc...) we will make an effort to contact you immediately. We will describe the damage to you and then you can decide if you want to continue to tan the skin at your own risk or discard it. If we cannot locate you immediately we will freeze the skin until contact is made and a decision has been reached. Please make sure to inform us of any telephone nmber changes, or alternate nuymbers where we can locate you during working hours. Or make sure we have your e-mail address.

 

The following suggestions will help to reduce damage.

 

Make sure skins are throughly dry before shipping.

 

Taxidermists. Dry all capes with the ears folded towards the center of the skin. This will help prevent them from being cracked during shipping.

 

Taxidermists. Be sure all lips and ears are turned, tails split, and andpaws fleshed out.

 

Ship on Mondays, especially during hot weaher so shipments are not caught in a hot truck over the weekend.

 

Remove all unnecessary tags from the skin once you have punched them.