I plan on shooting a nice big doe this weekend. Assuming it all comes together, I'd like to get the hide done with fur on. And, I'd like it to be soft, like a rug I guess. So, what do I need to do? I'll take it or mail it somewhere to have it done. But, what needs done initially to preserve it, and where should I send it, and any tips on shipping? Anyone have any that they've had done? I wanna hang it across our stair banister.
-Jake

Call your local taxidermist(s) and find out if they can do it for you and approximate cost. Most will send it out to a tannery is my guess. Skin it out, roll it up (fur out) and freeze it asap and you will be good to go. I did that years ago with a piebald I killed. Pretty cool hide, mostly white. I know some folks deal directly with tanneries, but I have never done that. I guess you could call one and find out what you need to do if you decide to go that route. Good luck on your quest!

Do I need to salt it at all? One old farmer told me to salt it and roll it up, but freezing would be easier. Will just freezing it work? Also, rolling it up skin out.... meaning that having the skin touching the flesh won't hurt anything?
-Jake

Do not salt it if you plan to freeze it. The salt will not allow it to freeze. Just like spreading salt on a driveway to remove ice.

if you want to send it yourself, remove all meat and fat from the skin. flesh it witha scraper or drawknife. salt it, roll it up and allow it to drain overnight. put it on a screen over a bucket so the liquid drains off. then shake it out and resalt it again. after a few days shake it out and let it dry enough to fold it up. call the tannery for any special directions and your good to go. a taxidermist would be aoround 100 dollars to do that.

WV Hunter - do you have a referral to a decent Northern Virginia taxidermist?

www.taxidermy.net