Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

CHAPTER XVITTROPHIES.—PELTS, BUCKSKIN ANDRAWHIDEThe preparation of game heads, or of entire skins,for subsequent mounting or tanning isnot very difficult,even for an amateur, if one goes about it inthe right way, A few simple rules may be given atthe start:1. Skin the specimen in such a way that the taxidermistcan mount it in lifelike attitude and naturalproportions. Make as few incisions as needbe, and these in places where the seams will notshow.2. Remove every bit of fat, flesh and cartilagethat you can. This is very important, but be carefulnot to cut through the skin.3. Dry thoroughly in the shade; not in the sunnor before a fire.4. Furred pelts are dried on stretchers, but specimensto be mounted by a taxidermist must not bestretched at all.5. Pelts are to be dried without salt or otherpreservative, except under conditions mentioned below.Heads are best dried in the same way, unlessthe weather is damp, or you are collecting in awarm climate.Many a fine head has been spoiled by not leavingenough of the neck skin attached to give it agood poise in mounting. Many more are ruined byskimped or boggled work about the eyes, lips, andears, or by leaving fat on the skin so that it gets*'grease-burnt," or by rolling up the skin and leavingit in a warm or moist place until decay sets in..2q8