Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: dufflayer on February 09, 2015, 10:38:44 AM

Title: Processing Grouse Capes
Post by: dufflayer on February 09, 2015, 10:38:44 AM

Hi there,

I shoot a lot of Grouse and was thinking that next season I should experiment with saving and dying the feathers for tying.
Unfortunately, I don't have much experience with taxidermy and my resources are slightly limited (apartment living).
I was hoping somebody would be able to provide me some guidance on how to preserve the skin and feathers after fleshing out the bird.

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Processing Grouse Capes
Post by: TheFishingLad on February 09, 2015, 12:03:21 PM

http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/petti.htm

I found this article which appears to be good information, though perhaps some personal experiences here would be neat.

Title: Re: Processing Grouse Capes
Post by: SPEYMAN on February 09, 2015, 10:45:03 PM

Once you have the bird skinned, powder it with borax. You can buy 20 mule team borax in most grocery stores. Same stuff you use on roe for fishing. Put on lots, it's just salt and will dry the skin. Keep borax on for couple of weeks or until completely dry.

Title: Re: Processing Grouse Capes
Post by: dufflayer on February 10, 2015, 04:33:47 PM

Quote from: SPEYMAN on February 09, 2015, 10:45:03 PM

Once you have the bird skinned, powder it with borax. You can buy 20 mule team borax in most grocery stores. Same stuff you use on roe for fishing. Put on lots, it's just salt and will dry the skin. Keep borax on for couple of weeks or until completely dry.

Would the same process also work for small patches of deer hide?

Title: Re: Processing Grouse Capes
Post by: SPEYMAN on February 11, 2015, 04:05:30 PM

Yes, but make sure all the flesh is removed.