How to preserve/tan (?) bobcat paws?

Laci · #1 01/27/08, 12:08 AM

Hi, everyone. Our neighbor got a bobcat a couple of days ago, and only wanted the pelt & head. Out of curiosity, we took the carcass, which had the paws attached. My husband butchered the cat, which we ate a lot of tonight (a lot of it was ruined by being shot). It was fairly yummy, very tender, and quite a surprise to me, who didn't even REALLY want to try it (but since I always tell the kids they have to try everything, I was stuck, lol). Anyway, I would like to somehow preserve the paws for a future craft project (not sure what, yet, but hate to waste, them, they are really cool looking), and I'm wondering how to go about this and not have the fur fall off? Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

Thank you,
Marcy in OR

Ed Norman · #2 01/27/08, 12:17 AM

Pack them in a box of salt or borax for a few months.

Laci · #3 01/27/08, 12:21 AM

I know when you do this to tan sheep hides, you have to regularly drain off any fluids, do you have to do this with the paws, too? Also, which is better, salt or borax? Thanks a lot for the response.

Marcy

Ed Norman · #4 01/27/08, 12:48 AM

Well, I sometimes use coyote paws as an attractor when trapping. I normally lop them off and toss them in a bucket and they keep for years if they stay dry. When I was a kid and would make gun racks from deer feet, I would tie them in a right angle bend and pack them in salt. There isn't much juice in a paw or deer leg. The salt would crust around the foot, showing it had drawn out the moisture, but I never had to overhaul them during the process. I would think you could put them in and leave them safely. And if you want to display the claws, you will need to get them showing somehow before you pack them , because they will not move after drying.

I would use salt if that is what I had. Cheaper and easier to get.

Laci · #5 01/27/08, 01:04 AM

Thanks a lot! Great tip, too, about tying them, if I want a bend in the leg/paw area.

Marcy in Or