Something got my roo! I am just amazed. UPDATE-I GOT IT!! PG 9-GRAPHIC

[princess araucana]

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Ya, I meant more for the mother / step-son relationship.... I do hope everyone can sleep better now!

 

[chickendude]

Nice job. just a note did you split the tail open and remove the bone and borax the tail?

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

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Thank you!
Actually, I peeled the tail...like taking a sock off. I got over half way down, and started getting afraid that I was going to rip the hide, so I just lopped the bone off as deeply as I could. A small portion of the bone does remain at the end of the tail. (If you count to the 4th ring down from the part attached to the coon, that's about where the left over bone is.) I packed it with salt & borax, & just left it in. I hated to leave it in...but this is my very first tan, and honestly, I've never seen one done.

My brother did something similar to a deer's tail when he tanned a hide last season. It turned out well.

I really wanted to get the leathery pads of the hands, but couldn't get it loose with all of my might, so I just cut the fur at the wrists & ankles.

I was mostly worried about the nose & ears. One of DH's friends is a taxidermist. (I am ALWAYS bugging him to let me apprentice under him, but he keeps turning me down saying that everyone he's let try gets all squeamish & gives up in the beginning.) I had DH give him a call to see if there was anything special I needed to do to the nose & ears. He was impressed to hear that I managed to get the whole face off & said that I had already done everything I needed to do....I'm hoping that gets me some points for when he gets covered up in mounts this coming season.

I REALLY want to learn taxidermy.

 

[helkat]

Seriously though...why do raccoons have to be SO CUTE? Foxes and skunks are cute too.

Thank goodness I have a ruthless hubby because as much as I want to kill the beast that got my roo' Pepper a few nights ago, I don't think I would have the heart.

I am glad you got yours!!

 

[Cetawin]

Excellent skinning job! You need to order a product called "hair stop" or "slip stop" it stops the hair from falling out.

Naturally as the hide itself dries you will get hair loss over time. Use that stuff on the hide, let it dry and hang her back up and she will be fine with no bald patches for many years.

 

[gypsy2621]

I do believe I would bring that tanned hide to the Taxidermist friend and say look if I can do this all by myself , how about apprenticing me.
my goodness with out his help and knowledge you did an excellent job and no girly sqeemishness there.
You deserve an Apprenticship.

 

[PlymouthRocker]

What a great story from start to finish. Highly entertaining, and I thank you for sharing!

 

[Whispering Winds]

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[StupidBird]

That's great! I mean, the skin and tanning. DS and I did a copperhead snake when he was in cub scouts. Used rock salt and neatsfoot oil. Turned out rather well, no smell. He mounted it to scrap black suede and laced it to a bean can for a pencil holder for his grandpa. Grandpa loved it; grandma not so much.
Snake was just roadkill though. We skinned, tacked it out, scraped carefully and salted it down heavily and left it in the garage. After it dried, we oiled it and carefully flexed and scraped/wiped off the salt and scales. Found the directions on the internet.
Good job with FUR. Good luck with taxidermy.

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

Great tip, Cetawin...I'll have to google this hair/slip stop product.

And gypsy2621....I may do just that.

I'm glad all of you enjoyed reading this thread, as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you all.

For me & this one coon, it's over and we are finally square.

I'm keeping my traps set, though..........just in case.