About a month ago I received my crate of plains game trophys from Zimbabwe including shoulder mount wildebeast ,Zebra skin, Impala skin. I've had the skins hanging up airing outside for a month now, but every time I move them inside, the smell becomes overbearing & I have to move them back outside.
The smell seems to be chemical, & I guess its something used in the tanning process. The Impala skin is a basic flat skin, whilst the zebra skin is lined with felt.
Any suggestions of spraying or even washing the skins, or do I just keep them outside for another month to try & deodorize them?

Eventually it goes away.The first batch I brought in filled the house with smell for a while, and every one after that started the process over again.

I have read where a pie pan with vinegar in it will remove the smell.

Need to put the skins in an enclosed area and put the vinegar (about 1/4 inch) in a pie pan and seal the area it will take about 5 to 7 days.

The smell left all my hides as well with time. The only thing that I have with a smell is my lifesize Warthog and it just has a smell all of its own and it has not gone away. It just smells musty or something. A very distinct smell but I wish it would go away.