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Anyone tan a seal? #7152075
01/24/21 10:33 AM
01/24/21 10:33 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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novatrapper01  Offline OP
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Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
I have a personal seal license and am allowed 6 seals a year. I’m going to send 5 to the tannery but would like to try one myself. Anyone on here ever attempt to tan one? They are unbelievably oily. Not sure if the alum/washing soda tan would work on them.

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152652
01/24/21 06:10 PM
01/24/21 06:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,463
ny
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gcs Offline
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ny
The one time I allegedly might have maybe skinned one ,the amount of oil was shocking, other then some kind of commercial degreaser I don't know how you'd get it oil free. YMMV

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152710
01/24/21 06:35 PM
01/24/21 06:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,663
S.E. Ohio
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M.Magis Offline
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S.E. Ohio
They would require some serious degreasing, and lots of shaving. If you’re able to get those two things done, should tan up similar to other skins. Curious to hear any first hand accounts.

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152747
01/24/21 06:56 PM
01/24/21 06:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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james bay frontierOnt.
How big is it?Some seals are as big as a bear.
You can totally de-grease it with gas.
But be careful not to blow yourself up.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: Boco] #7152797
01/24/21 07:21 PM
01/24/21 07:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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novatrapper01  Offline OP
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Nova Scotia
Ok I’ll try the gas. I was reading a bit today that mineral spirits might work as well. The 3 I have are grey seals. 300 -350lbs each. We get the really big 800-1000 lb ones here in the spring.

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152812
01/24/21 07:26 PM
01/24/21 07:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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novatrapper01  Offline OP
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Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
Would you flesh then salt the skin for a few days before degreasing or flesh then put it right in the gasoline?

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152824
01/24/21 07:31 PM
01/24/21 07:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,663
S.E. Ohio
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M.Magis Offline
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S.E. Ohio
Use a commercial degreaser. Its not worth all the dangers to save a few pennies. Honestly its probably about the same cost. Just follow normal tanning procedures, just like a coon or coyote. Though you may end up wanting to degrease multiple times. If there’s any question if its degreased enough, it probably isn’t.

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152840
01/24/21 07:41 PM
01/24/21 07:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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james bay frontierOnt.
I do skunks in gas after pickling.Gas really works well for degreasing but you have to wash and air out the skins if you use reg gas.naphtha will evaporate without leaving a smell.Never use any gas indoors to degrease skins-always outdoors.And dont light up a cig.If using gas to degrease keep it in a sealed container at all times.The big gobs of fat from the skin will be in the bottom of the container,and the gas can be poured off and re used indefinitely.Follow the same safety procedures as you do when using naphtha to dip traps in thinned paint.-Outdoors and away from any sparks.
I degrease stuff before the pickle with dish soap and a scrubrush.That is sufficient for the majority of the skins I tan at home.
If you're scared to blow yourself up,dont do it.

Last edited by Boco; 01/24/21 07:42 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152911
01/24/21 08:15 PM
01/24/21 08:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
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Northof50 Offline
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Manitoba
But Nova put in your will who gets your traps if you blow yourself up.

Don't forget the skulls if they are not blown up

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: Northof50] #7152930
01/24/21 08:25 PM
01/24/21 08:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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Nova Scotia
Originally Posted by Northof50
But Nova put in your will who gets your traps if you blow yourself up.

Don't forget the skulls if they are not blown up


Lol, I’ll be sure to have my duds in order as they say before I start

Last edited by novatrapper01; 01/24/21 08:26 PM.
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152945
01/24/21 08:34 PM
01/24/21 08:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,295
Northern MN
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Osky Offline
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Northern MN
Nova you might ask this in the Wilderness trapping forum. Some of the Alaskans may have some insight to add.

Osky


"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it"

Jabless in Minnesota

www.SureDockusa.com
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7152946
01/24/21 08:34 PM
01/24/21 08:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,533
SE Minnesota
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dustytinner Offline
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SE Minnesota
How do you catch seals? Can you post any pictures? Sounds very interesting since most of us will never have that opportunity.
Thanks


Life member Minnesota Trappers Association
FTA,Sportsmen's Alliance
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: Osky] #7152952
01/24/21 08:36 PM
01/24/21 08:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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Nova Scotia
Originally Posted by Osky
Nova you might ask this in the Wilderness trapping forum. Some of the Alaskans may have some insight to add.

Osky


Ok thanks !

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: dustytinner] #7152967
01/24/21 08:42 PM
01/24/21 08:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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Nova Scotia
Originally Posted by dustytinner
How do you catch seals? Can you post any pictures? Sounds very interesting since most of us will never have that opportunity.
Thanks


We hunt them, I use a 22-250 and try to get a shot while they are on a rock out of water. But if they are in an area that’s only 15-20 ft deep then it’s fair game once they are in the water. We use a treble hook similar to what you would see on swamp people for retrieving from underwater.
I only have one picture on my phone but I will try to take a few next day I get out.
This was a really nice one. Around 300 lbs

8828A95B-9200-4787-98E3-DD76B555E54B.jpeg
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153022
01/24/21 09:21 PM
01/24/21 09:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,120
Manitoba
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Northof50 Offline
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Manitoba
Good that you have clear water

bow with a fish arrow works as well.
That will be some nice rendered oil when done with the scrapings

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153133
01/24/21 10:19 PM
01/24/21 10:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,663
S.E. Ohio
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M.Magis Offline
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S.E. Ohio
Well, now I’ve just added something to my bucket list that will never happen. But boy does that sound like fun.

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153181
01/24/21 10:41 PM
01/24/21 10:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,236
West Michigan
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Getting There Offline
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West Michigan
I would try GUNK. It is a good engine cleaner. Dawn dish soap. Wouldn't you flesh them like a raccoon? Never seen or worked on a seal.


To Old
U.S. Army 60-63 SGT.
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153416
01/25/21 07:10 AM
01/25/21 07:10 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
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Trapper Dahlgren Offline
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Michigan
I know that you use the oil , but what does the meat taste like ?

Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153458
01/25/21 08:10 AM
01/25/21 08:10 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,533
SE Minnesota
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dustytinner Offline
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SE Minnesota
That sounds like a heck of a time!! Thank you for the pictures,.


Life member Minnesota Trappers Association
FTA,Sportsmen's Alliance
Re: Anyone tan a seal? [Re: novatrapper01] #7153466
01/25/21 08:15 AM
01/25/21 08:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
novatrapper01 Offline OP
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novatrapper01  Offline OP
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Posts: 533
Nova Scotia
It is a lot of fun!
It’s usually long shots and small targets. Head shot is the only way to stop them in their tracks. That one was a 190 yard shot.
The meat is extremely dark and is similar in texture to duck but with a slight gamey/fishy taste. They say it is one of the healthiest meats you can eat. Very high in omega 3.

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