Taco Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 do I prepare and preserve pheasant skins? Just got a pair of fairly complete (wingless) fresh frozen pheasant skins. I assume flesh, stretch, rub in borax then air dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricinus Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I've also read you should do a couple of freeze/thaw cycles to eliminate any bugs.. And keep them away from your other feathers till you're sure their safe.. Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertatrout Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 If you wash in warm anti grease dish soap prior to the borax you will be pleased. Blow-dry and then pack with borax, works like a charm. I did a few birds for a friend that had a silverfish infestation, the store bought rabbits were destroyed but they never touched the birds we preserved. Seems to be a good method. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I've processed a great many skins. Clean and trim as much fat off the flesh as you can. This is where a good small skinning knife shines. Pat down the inside with a paper towel to remove moisture Like albertatrout I give em a quick wash in dish soap to remove blood and dirt then rinse (you can forgo this step if it has been frozen, it will kill any bug eggs) although I do like to wash and clean skins and feathers. Makes them shine. Bow dry a bit and then air dry overnight Rub the inside of the skin with Borax (use lots) heap it on, salt also works but Borax works better Prop the skin open or as I like to do pin it flat on a board with thumbtacks, open it as much as possible, including pinning open tail and wings Add a bit more the next day, look for greasy patches to add to, keep an eye on it and add more as needed I sprinkle a bit of Borax on the fur or feathers also, keeps the critters away Leave it in a well air circulated area, in a garage is great, this is where pinning to a board is nice as you can lean it against a wall If grease or damp spots appear it means that you didn't clean enough fat from the skin. Give it another scrape in those areas I usually give it a couple of months, you can tell after that if you scrape a bit off and it is dry. When dry put the skin in a plastic bag on its own, keep it opened not zip locked for the first year. Avoid using Mothballs or the like. The smell never comes out and it can loosen fur Ceder chips or just pieces of Ceder wood does a great job of keeping pests away With small animal skins (not hoofed critters) I like to shampoo (a shampoo with lanolin) the skin and rinse, makes the fur really nice to work with. There was a time when the only real source of fur and feathers for our fly tying family was hunting in the fall. The wife still cringes when I stop to have a peek at a road kill. She hasn't quite housebroken me yet. Give me a shout if you have any questions on prepping. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 That will sure as heck work, thanks for the tips Guys. Now to find the time between fissin and workin'............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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