13 January 2010, 19:04
MJinesLion/Lioness Field Trophy Care
Curious, is the field preparation and care of a lion/lioness hide basically the same as a leopard? When I shot my leopard, the tom was promptly skinned, the hide was fleshed, soaked in a brine/salt water mixture and then dried in coarse salt. Same basic program with a lion/lioness hide? How long should the hide be soaked in the brine/salt water solution? Thanks.
14 January 2010, 23:43
L. David KeithThat's a good question Mike, although I would add some bacteriacide to the brine solution. You can obtain that in tablet form which is available though most Taxidermy studio's. No problems transporting via airlines although be sure to leave them in labled packaging so customs doesn't have a fit. As for the salt, I'd request fine curing salt or table salt ahead of time with your PH, and lots of it. It's the cheapest insurance and can get into small areas better than course or rock salt. Be sure they never apply used salt to your capes or skins. This normal practice can spell disaster.
Cheers,
David
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19 January 2010, 07:20
<The Artistry of Wildlife>Hi Jmines
First off never use a coarse salt it does not have the abilty as fine salt to pull out the moisture in the skin.
Soaking any skin in any solution is scary, moisture grows bacteria, a brine is used should be a rinse and that's all for removing excess blood and fat depsits left from skinning and then immedialty fine grain salted and dried in a cool shaded place NEVER IN THE SUN OR IN EXCESS OF 80 to 85 degrees.
David is very correct on using used or re dried salt it contains bacteria and that is a disaster waiting to happen.
Your answer is simple brine is not a preservative simply a rinse and then towel dry it and salt as soon as it comes out of it
If they do brine it it should be only minuted if that.
Dennis