I got some castor sacs from a large beaver hanging in the fur shed. Been about a week at 55* with fan. outsides are dry and leather like but I can still squeeze them, should they be firm ? When are they ready to go it the freezer to sell at a later time ? -Thanks

When the outsides are dry and leather like
Stick em in the freezer.

The outside should be dry to the touch but the sac itself is still squeezable. If it is rock hard - it is over dried. If it is sticky - not dry enough.

When storing in the freezer, place in paper bags. NOT plastic bags.

Why?

I freeze them in sour cream or cottage cheese containers after they are dry to the touch.

Paper allows the castor to breath while it is in the freezer. If the castor is in plastic and the freezer is a frost free freezer, moisture can condense inside the plastic bag during the freezing/ defrosting cycle.

That has been my experience and it is also what I've been told by the people we sell castor to.

Paul, I take it you don't agree with me. Which is cool - you've probably handled a bit more castor than I have.

What is your recommendation for storing in a freezer?

I've never had a problem with storing them in zip locks in the freezer. When removed from the freezer and from the plastic, they do need to let dry a couple of days because when they thaw, condensation forms on them. I wouldn't store them in plastic when thawed though, because this is when they need to breathe.

Because it is like claiming territory...... that purity trapping smell will impregnate the freezers plastic.... and viola you have your own personal trapping freezer.
( at least in my household)

Fair enough. I guess storing in plastic in a freezer is ok.

I store a very large quantity in big , bigger than the one gallon baggies, for as much as a year at times. Sometimes they get a bit of frost on the castor, but it doesn't hurt a thing.;

good read thanks guys