Tanning Raccoon Hide...help

[creeky]

My Son shot a raccoon on Thanksgiving morning.

It was waaaaay to expensive to do a body mount so we decided to just skin it out for him and hopefully make a throw for his room.

I fleshed it, got as much meat and fat off as we could, stretched it out on some plywood and salted it. Today I've cleaned the salt off and soaked and cleaned it in the creek (soft water?). One thing I noticed is it never stiffened up. Hmmmmmm?

Now I have it in a plastic bucket soaking in some water and a little "20 Mule team".

I want to end up with a soft pelt with the hair still on it, then I'll sew a felt backing on it.

So I guess I am asking... where do I go from here?

I heard somewhere I'm supposed to take it out of the "Boarx bath" today in a bit... let dry... and then wash in soft water and laundry detergent to help absorb any remaining grease.

But shouldn't I treat the hide with something after that?

I'm really out of my area on this and I am trying not to screw this up for my son.

Any help is appreciated!

Edited December 5, 2009 by creeky

[Westwindmike]

Did you see this sticky?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/hunting/16019-taxidermy-how.html

[creeky]

Did you see this sticky?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/hunting/16019-taxidermy-how.html

Nope! Hahaha! Thanks. Was in a hurry, should have known there was something already here.

[DaveS]

First thing you need to do is get it out of the water! That is the quickest way to a rotted hide. Get it drained and dry the hair as quickly as possible. Salt the hide, roll it up and freeze it until you are able to order your chemicals. Raccoon will need to be "degreased" before pickling, tanning and softening.

[creeky]

First thing you need to do is get it out of the water! That is the quickest way to a rotted hide. Get it drained and dry the hair as quickly as possible. Salt the hide, roll it up and freeze it until you are able to order your chemicals. Raccoon will need to be "degreased" before pickling, tanning and softening.

"WD"... I owe you man! BIG TIME! I screw this up and my son would be hurt for sure.

Took about an hour to dry it . Towels and a hair dryer. Got it re-salted, rolled and in the freezer now. I'm looking online at Van Dykes Taxidermy now. Found a page there telling what I need and the amounts I'll need for a raccoon.

Thanks again man! I appreiate you jumping in there and stopping me for I royally screwed up!

[DaveS]

No problem. Let us know how it turns out, so everyone can learn.

[Guest H0TSH0T]

here is another source, as there are many ways to tan a hide, not used to all the chemical methods, only heard of the brain method, before i started reading up on it, here is the link http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_l/l-103.pdf

[DaveS]

There are many, many ways to tan hides. The methods I mention are the best and easiest for the beginner. I will only give instructions to the beginner tanner that are tried, true and easy to succeed at.

[creeky]

Here are some pictures of the raccoon btw...

My sons, The oldest with his first raccoon and his younger brother with his first squirrel.

My oldest with him, even pixel'n out his face you can still see the big SMILE!

(Oh yeah, he is using his Great-Grand Dad's single shot 20 gauge. That makes it extra cool in my book.)

Cellphone picture...

Skinned out, right before stretching and salting...