9:25 pm. 43*.

Tonight I had just enough time to get another round of tanning dressing on the custom deer. It had dried nicely under salt, especially after I rolled it up and brought it into my house overnight.

I started off by scraping off the salt.

I made my soap and oil dressing a bit thicker this time, by using less water. I remembered that it used to be thicker.

Onto the hide it went.

It’s much more of a gel consistency. I think that’s how I used to make it. To be honest, I’m not sure it really matters, except that the hide might dry faster since there’s less water in the dressing.

I rubbed it all in as usual, folded and rolled it, and brought it into my house. I think the dressing will penetrate better in a warmer room (though wtf Minnesota – how is it above 40 in the evening on December 1st?).

I also did some more brushing out of the egg-dressed sheepskin today.

I don’t think I’ve ever had such a dense sheepie before. It’s so lovely. I’m truly tempted to keep this one for myself.

Next up? Scrape, stretch, and break the deer. Smoke it with the sheepie. Maybe I’ll be done in a week.