Didnt salt, can I still tan?

[bignoccursg]

I didnt salt any of my pelts from trapping season. I fleshed them all and there all dried and still on the stretchers. I have pickling and tanning chemicals I purchased from a taxidermy supply. Any suggestions as to my next step?


1. rehydrate and salt?
2. pickle and tan as is?
3. punt, and do it right next year?

[Avidhunter]

I see no reason why you couldn't tan them. I stretched and dried mine last year, then sent them to a tannery.

What procedure they followed, I have no idea. But, they required them to be dried or frozen before shipping. JJ:)

[multibeard]

The answer to your Question is #2

No hide should ever be salted except for deer hides. They need to be air dried. Buyers will not buy hides that have been salted.

If a hide has been salted it will mess up the tanning formula that is used for tanning. The formula may have salt in it but it is a predetermined amount. If there is already salt on the hide that salt will mess the formula up.

Just don't let the hides hang around too long before tanning them. Once it starts getting hot out side the grease left in the leather will start coming out making the hides sticky. Also tho they have never been any around, carpet beadles will show up and feed on any grease left on the hide. The hair will fall out. These are the same beadles that are being used to clean skulls.

[Taxidermist]

I salt everything I tan for taxidermy as it helps to lock the hair in. What kind of animals do you have that you want to tan? If they are thin skinned ones like fox, rats,coon ect. then just wash in warm water with some dawn dish soap this will clean degrease and rehydrate the skin. then towel dry well and paint on tanning oil or if it is a soak tan then just degrease and place in tanning solution and follow the directions.


Have fun and put some pics up when done.

Rob

[bignoccursg]

I dont plan on selling them to a fur buyer. I planned on tanning them myself just to hang in the cabin. I have a couple of foxes, racoon, opossum, muskrats, skunk. Last year I tanned a fox and a coyote, although far from tannery soft, they look good on the wall. I salted both of them per my tanning chemical instructions.
Thanks for the help guys
Gary

[Taxidermist]

Tanning is one thing breaking and oiling them to be soft and supple is another. if you want them to be soft you need to us a softing oil and work the skin as it drys to break the fibers.


http://www.taxidermyweb.com/review-softtan.htm

also what are you using for a tan?

Rob

[bignoccursg]

Last year I used a rub on oil. This year I have soaking chemicals I purchased from Van Dykes.

[Taxidermist]

Last year I used a rub on oil. This year I have soaking chemicals I purchased from Van Dykes.


What namebrand tan? did you get oil to? With your other tan it sounds like you did not break it as it dried thats why it is still a little stiff. I was just wondering what tan you got so I can give you some pointers to help you get a supple tan this time.

Rob