Took an axis buck early January and have had the hide sitting in my freezer since. Any point in thawing it out and having it tanned, or is it already no good?

If it is still good, should I try it on my own or take it to a taxidermist?

It's definitely still good. Take it to a taxidermist, it'll be worth it.

How hard is it to tan a hide yourself? My brother has a bobcat hide in his fridge that's been there for a few year.

Any suggestions in the Austin area? Could also take to Boerne area.

dp

[This message has been edited by NoneGiven (edited 5/14/2013 9:34p).]

Pretty sure there's an OBer who does taxidermy in the Cedar Park area. Cole-something maybe?

I've had axis and mouflon done by The Nugget Company in San Antonio. They do good work. They charged $70 something a few years ago and now charge $90 something per hide. Their turnaround time is 30 days, which is nice.

North Texas Tannery does the same job for $30ish, but I can't vouch for their work, or turnaround time, having never mailed them a hide for tanning.

Keep in mind that freezing can cause areas of freezer burn which can result in hair loss. Best bet is to deflesh as quickly as possible, heavily salt and mail/deliver hide to tannery. That being said, your frozen hide may come out perfectly fine.

The bulk of taxidermists in Texas send their hides to north Texas tannery.

I had a whitetail mounted last year that had been in the freezer since 2005. Turned out perfect. I also took NTT a coyote hide that had been in the freezer since 1999-ish (I forgot about it), and again, it turned out perfect. It was pretty stiff, and I thought it would be ruined. After talking to the guy at NTT, as long as bacterial rot doesn't set in, they can usually reclaim a freezer burned hide. Reason being is that tanning is a chemical process that works on the collagen in the hide, and it is not dependent on the moisture in the hide.

And yes, most taxidermists just send hides to North Texas Tannery, then charge you a very inflated price. Cut out the middleman and send it to them yourself.

[This message has been edited by Log (edited 5/14/2013 10:37p).]

North Texas Tannery is the way to go.

DIY tanning:
http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/57386

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPLYYCh0YT4

How do you guys send your hides to NTT? I've got an axis in the freezer since Christmas and kept thinking if I wait any longer it might goto waste, but glad it should still be good.

I wrap it in several trash bags and then ship UPS ground. It will get there next-day and if it's frozen solid when you ship it, it'll be fine.

We take ours to Woodbury in Hunt. Not too far from Kerrville. They do great work. That hide is definitely worth thawing out!

Max,

Should I call them and let them know its coming, or a day or so after I send it to make sure its there?

NTT does a great job. I've got my 4th hide with them right now.

Turnaround is t te fastest, but for $34 I can wait.

I never did. Just stuck a note with my name, address & contact info in the box.

They called me when the hides were ready. I used UPS so I could track the package and ensure that it arrived at the destination. Probably wouldn't hurt to call them to make sure it got there, but if UPS "misplaced" the box for a few days in the Texas heat, I sure as heck don't want them to send it back to me!