So I Skinned This Beast....

[SwearNoAllegiance]

So I've skinned me a coon (or other animal). How do I preserve the pelt?

 

[caribou]

You can freeze it and send it to a pro, or do a bit of work yerself.
If you have all the fat and meat left on the carcass, your off to a good start.
If not, its a greasy job, but sloughing off the meat/connective tissue/meat with a Milk can (use the rolled rim) and push off the stuff before it drys, and you will give the skin a good stretching out.....thats the first step in cleaning off the skin.Use a FLAT board , so you dont rip or tear your skin.

I lay out skins if I open'd them up the belly on the ground and place pebbles around the edges and let it dry. Then after a day, I hang it up on a clothes line for further drying and maby another scrape, to push out any remaining fats /oils. Then I can put it away, when I know Im down to a dryed skin, or keep going.Besure that none of the skin folds on itself, it will spoil there.
If you case skinned it, cut along the back legs, then place it on a strecher and dry it, and go from there.
Later, when its time to tan, send it out to the factory or proceed yourself.
Before I soften the skin, I will dampen the flesh side and fold it together over night, to moisten it and let the fibers stretch when I give it another scraping to break those fibers.You can ball up the skin and step on it for a half hour or so and break up the fibersup and then finish by rubbing a skin against itsself in small circular motions with both hands. You will see it lighten up quite a bit, and you can strip off any fiberous tissues.
Start with the edges each time, scraping your way back a bit at a time tward the center.
You will end up with a clean soft skin every time, but it takes practise.
Remember, That starts with skinning it cleanly, leaving the meat and fats on the carcass.

Good Luck to ya!!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanning

 

[mod700]

if you got some time and willng to put in some effort, order a starter kit
from McKenzie (that's where i got mine) and it's got everything you need exept some household items. it comes with a video that actually does a raccoon and takes you through every step. It's on the Mckenzie website....just type "tanning kit" in the product search and it should bring it right up. i've done two deer hides using this system and working on three more right now.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

Just as a preference on my part, after the hid is placed over a board or stretcher, and all of the meat and fat has been removed and its somewhat dry, don't buy any of the chemicals to tan it.

I've used the brain tan method with excellent results. Go to a butcher or meat market in your area and buy a tub of hog brains. Seriously, they sell this, some people eat it and its really cheap. Boil it in water on the stove until it turns grey, then let it cool off. Mash it all up into a paste and spread on the hide. Wrap in a plastic bag and let sit for a couple hrs. Remove the bag and wipe all of the brain paste off and work in your hands for an hour or so. Once all of the paste is wiped off and you work it good into your hands it'll start to get nice and soft. The more you work it in your hands, the softer it will get. That's all there is to it.

Ive tanned coon, oppossum, and squirrel hides like this

 

[SwearNoAllegiance]

Go to a butcher or meat market in your area and buy a tub of hog brains.

You really are a barbarian! I dunno if I want to be mashing up brains.

I thank you all for your help. I think I can do it.