Hide Preperation tactics??

[Astepanuk]

Hey guys

as we get closer to our upcoming trip just wondering what everyone does for cape preparation. We are planning to be on the back country for 8 days. Looking at the historical temps we’re assuming highs of 12 to lows up to -5 thinking in the shade should be pretty good to keep a hide air’d out.

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.

How many people pack salt it to salt the hide.

[Deadshot]

Preparation H(ide)!

[silvertipp]

Salt is a must
leave some at your main camp or drop off and hike some in
the faster you can get the salt on and dry that thing out the better

[bearvalley]

Get a quick lesson on turning the ears, nose, lips & eyes.
You will be a lot happier with the end result if you do a head mount over just putting salt on an unfinished cape.

[Rackmastr]

I ALWAYS pack salt.....its not an option regardless of temps for me (unless I was hunting late season deer in -30 and could freeze solid)

Flesh really well, split everything and salt it down good.

For blood on a goat cape, put salt on the hair side (where the blood is) and wash out any blood you can with a water bottle on the hair side.

Cool temps are awesome, but I'd be carrying enough salt to ensure proper hide prep without a doubt.

[Astepanuk]

I ALWAYS pack salt.....its not an option regardless of temps for me (unless I was hunting late season deer in -30 and could freeze solid)

Flesh really well, split everything and salt it down good.

For blood on a goat cape, put salt on the hair side (where the blood is) and wash out any blood you can with a water bottle on the hair side.

Cool temps are awesome, but I'd be carrying enough salt to ensure proper hide prep without a doubt.

Thanks we still have a bunch of capacity left on our flight in so Ill be sure to pack a bunch of salt I'm guessing you guys bring course salt or pickling salt any recommendations.

[Brez]

I ALWAYS pack salt.....its not an option regardless of temps for me (unless I was hunting late season deer in -30 and could freeze solid)

Flesh really well, split everything and salt it down good.

For blood on a goat cape, put salt on the hair side (where the blood is) and wash out any blood you can with a water bottle on the hair side.

Cool temps are awesome, but I'd be carrying enough salt to ensure proper hide prep without a doubt.
All of this. Only way to go if you want a quality cape. Learn to flesh and turn ears and nose. You don't need a ton of salt and regular iodized salt is good enough. If I'm going way back, a kilo is enough if I flesh thoroughly. more waiting in base camp to clean and replace with fresh stuff.

[Rackmastr]

Fine salt. Can buy a good sized bag of it a UFA and then for a flight I'd transport it in a 5 gallon bucket.

[Astepanuk]

Fine salt. Can buy a good sized bag of it a UFA and then for a flight I'd transport it in a 5 gallon bucket.

Thanks that's the plan Ill hit up UFA this weekend.

Do you guys flesh all the meat off rub it down with salt get any blood off then rinse the hide, then salt again.

[Rackmastr]

Thanks that's the plan Ill hit up UFA this weekend.

Do you guys flesh all the meat off rub it down with salt get any blood off then rinse the hide, then salt again.

The first chance you have to wash out any blood on the hair of the goat will be great. So, if that's right on the mountain with a bottle of water and a bit of run-off, then I'd take the chance to do it.

Once back at camp, I'd work on fleshing everything out really well. I'd salt it really well and also rub salt into any area that may still have blood in the hair (if you don't have the chance to wash it out of the hair, salt in the blood will help a bunch). From there, let the drying process start and you wont need to do any rinsing, etc. Re-apply more salt the next day and continue to let it dry up until you can fold it nicely.

That's a quick-and-dirty explanation. Heat, moisture, blood, and meat blocking salt (All bacteria issues) are all the enemies in hide prep.

If you want a shoulder mount, cut it long enough for a wall pedestal and take the front legs down to the knees. If you want a 1/2 lifesize, take a lot more than you 'think' you'll need. Lifesize, well, self explanatory. Nothing worse than not taking enough in the name of 'weight savings'

[Astepanuk]

The first chance you have to wash out any blood on the hair of the goat will be great. So, if that's right on the mountain with a bottle of water and a bit of run-off, then I'd take the chance to do it.

Once back at camp, I'd work on fleshing everything out really well. I'd salt it really well and also rub salt into any area that may still have blood in the hair (if you don't have the chance to wash it out of the hair, salt in the blood will help a bunch). From there, let the drying process start and you wont need to do any rinsing, etc. Re-apply more salt the next day and continue to let it dry up until you can fold it nicely.

That's a quick-and-dirty explanation. Heat, moisture, blood, and meat blocking salt (All bacteria issues) are all the enemies in hide prep.

If you want a shoulder mount, cut it long enough for a wall pedestal and take the front legs down to the knees. If you want a 1/2 lifesize, take a lot more than you 'think' you'll need. Lifesize, well, self explanatory. Nothing worse than not taking enough in the name of 'weight savings'


Thanks Plan would be to skin it for a life size and most likely do a shoulder mount then make a rug with any remaining Hide.

[Rackmastr]

Awesome. If you aren't doing anything with hooves then I'd take it at the knees to save worrying about splitting hooves and salting

Also you may find it easier to make the cuts in the mountain (shoulder cape and then remaining piece) as its nice to give your taxidermist the option to have the cape wet tanned and then the remaining piece dry tanned. Also makes it nice for packing if that's your end goal anyways.

[Astepanuk]

Sounds good thanks for the info now Just for the smoke to clear so everyone can go Hunting... 20 days and counting!!!

[Seth]

Sifto pool salt is what was recommended to me by the taxidermist. It’s dirt cheap at Canadian Tire. I took 2.25#’s and that was more than enough for my stone ram this year. Leave another 2# at camp and another few pounds at the truck just in case your worried about it. You will need to do the eyes, lips, nose and ears though. Watch some YouTube videos. Do a search on here regarding the same topic and read Wild Images recommendations. Good luck!