I am going out hunting tomorrow and expect to get 2 axis does.

I have a few questions; 1) who is the best person to take the hides to in the Dallas/Plano area to tan the hides 2) how much should the tanning cost and 3) what do I need to do to best preserve them until I make it back up to Dallas from the Kerrville area?

Thank you in advance for your help.

David

The taxidermist probably does not matter. Most will send them to a tannery. I have had a couple done they roughly cost 100$.

Keep them as dry as possible. Put them in a trash bag we always use 10mil. Do not let them get wet at all. This can cause the hair to slip. You can put them on ice but do not submerge them. Keep them on top of it.

If you are in Kerrville you could also run the Axis over to Rhodes Brother Taxidermy. Either have them processed or just have him take off the hides for tanning. Gary does tons of them.

muley is right. If you are just tanning the hides of these does the taxidermist will send to tannery and you are probably looking at a 3-4 month turn around time. And you usually pay $100-$150 for them. But yes, keep them as dry and cold as possible. Good luck and I will be more than happy to help you out with these when you return. I am not far from you. Only about a half our from Wylie, down Hwy 78.

Julie,

You are real close to me. I'm in Murphy. Another person suggested I salt them. If I am able to get these to you tomorrow do I need to that?

David

Do not salt the hides or Julie will have a hell of a time fleshing them as the salt will draw all the moisture out of the hides. Just keep them as cold as possible and dry and take them to her asap. If for some reason you are delayed with your drop off freeze the hides unsalted (rolled up hair out) in a plastic bag.

North Texas Tannery in Denton is great, you cut out the middleman too. It was goin to be $100 plus to tan my WT hide but they charged 32$ for it. You have to ask them their prices on other hides. Google search "north texas tannery" and their website should be the first result.

Thank you Evelyn. It will be really hard to flesh after salting. Just like she said keep them as cool/cold and dry as possible and bring them to me as is. Yes, David, you are more than welcome to bring them to me tomorrow. I will be in the shop all day. And RocksAndKittens is right you can go to the tannery in Denton and take out the middle man. I have some say their turn around time is lengthy. I send my hides to a place close to San Antonio. They do a really nice job and stick to their turn around time. And usually get them to me sooner since I am not a huge taxidermist business. But give me a call and I can give you directions. Look forward to meeting you. And yes, I know where Murphy is, you are not far from me.

Thank you everybody for the information and advice. I ended up not getting my 2 axis dear but I did have a successful hunt. See review to come on my experience with Robert Stuart of Tafrica outdoor adventures. I have saved the tannery information though for when I do get my axis deer hopefully early into next year.

David