Folks,
I shot a big old boar the other day and caped him out. This is the first time I've caped anything out. As I was fleshing him (bloody shield went down over the ribs) I kept tearing the skin on its back. In my rush to get the cape off (t'was very hot) I didn't check him out too well and it was only after I holed it AGAIN that I checked out the skin. It seemed very dry and thin on the top of its back and scaley (it didn't look good at all) Is this usual? was something wrong with this pig?

My hunting mate Gary has shot boars whose skin tears when you grab it, any idea what causes this? The boar I shot did have some worms under its skin.

Hi Bakes.
How do you go with it?

I havnt come across any type of 'tearing' in pig skin before, though in some pigs the skin can get very thin in odd places, here n there.

As for the scaly skin - might be your climate or a skin condition. Dont think the worms would be responsible.
It should still tan up ok and you can use the black skin dye in your airbrush on the dark pigs to suitably cover some defects.
Any probs just ring.

Hey Sam,
The day after I rang you I went out and cut some more shield off. It was going along real well and I was getting down nice and close, Then I hit the thin area and it all went pear shaped. I turned the skin right side out and gave it a good look over. It was flakey and had like ridges all over it. I don't think it was scar tissue. The skin on the top of its back was like parchment. Anyway I cut so many holes in it I used it as a training aid and just had a practice . I've dumped it after I was finished. I'll go out and select a younger one (hey they're free and its a tone of fun )
Thanks for the reply.

Bakes - I'd guess it's your climate down there.

I've never heard of thin skin in the cape area of boar hide.

I've seem it thin around the belly/groin area and on one sow on the rear quarters.

Ah well, that happens Bakes.

I sometimes get people bring frozen boar heads that obviously sat around for a while b4 they decided to freeze them.
Its a dissapointing feeling when you finally admit defeat after you have worked so hard but look at it this way, better now than after wasting tanning time.

Gook luck with the next one.