Posted By: NWOutlawMX
issue during pickling process - 02/09/23 11:38 PM
Had some problem raccoon digging up my new yard here in the city (Portland) so bought a live trap. Got 1 young female quick in Sept, but the second one took some time and was a very large male in November. Each one I brought out to my property in Eagle Creek (80 acres) dispatched and skinned them out. Thought I'd give tanning a try and couldn't get to them right away so I rolled them up fur side out and froze them within a hour of being skinned. Bought supplies to flesh and tan, watched lots of Videos. Thawed them out and fleshed and for the most part went well except for the gristle on the back around the shoulders. Rubbed them both first with Borax then Mix and Feed salt from Coastal, hung them skin side out on a stretcher for 24 hrs. Scraped the salt off and the last little bits of flesh, I missed, washed with Dawn soapy water, then put them in a pickle of 2lb salt and 6 tablespoons Citric acid per gallon of water, and a degreaser o bought from PCS outdoors for 24 hrs. Pulled them out of the pickle and tried to flesh the backs of the gristle (with no luck). When I put them on the beam I noticed on the areas that were the easiest to flesh a lot of hair roots and hairs pulling through the hide. I hadn't touch these areas after the initial fleshing and don't remember seeing this before the pickle. Thought my solution was off so bought a PH tester and its at 2.23 so within the limits I researched. Not sure what's happening, here's some pics. Thoughts??