Preserving birds

[kamishak steve]

A friend of mine returned from a hunting trip in S Dakota with a bunch of pheasant skins. The skins were packaged in vacuum sealed bags and have been marinating in their own funk since i recieved them (they stink). I was wondering what is the best way to dry the skins out to keep them without having to deal with sticky skin and terrible stench every time i want to tye a carey special. Thanks ~ Steve

[Roper]

Borax. Plain and simple. It helps to make sure all the meat/fat/etc has been scraped from the skin. Then douse in in borax, make sure it's just borax, no detergent added. Look for 20 Mule Team Borax. Once it starts to dry out replace the borax with a fresh handful or two.