If you are fortunate enough to own a fox tail, you should keep it safe to admire it for a long time. If it’s your first fox, you might not know where to start, or you might be looking for new methods to make your preservation. It’s important to know the right ways of applying the techniques because if you don’t, it might damage your cherished tail and cause an offensive smell.
Below we have compiled all the information you need to know about how to preserve a fox tail. We have explored the several techniques seasoned fox hunters put forth and developed our techniques for curing and preserving a fox tail. Dive in!
How to Remove the Fox Tail
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- The process of removing the fox’s tail is important since it can determine if the fox’s tail is usable or not.
- Once you have your fox’s carcass before you, it’s time to remove the fox’s tail; you will start by cutting the base close to the vent.
- Use a sharp knife to ensure the cut is only around the tail’s skin
- Find two pieces of sticks about 6 inches long and as thick as your little finger
- Place the two sticks on the tail’s sides, where you will need to cut and pull gently
- If you cut it well, the fox tail should easily extract itself, which leaves only the inside bone connected to the carcass
- You can use the bailing twine to remove the tail instead of the two sticks
How to Clean the Fox Tail
Clean the tail brush thoroughly and let it air dry by hanging it in the open. You can achieve a good wash by brushing it lightly, then cleaning any dirt or debris off it with mild soap and cool water.
The tail must be properly dried after cleaning, and you should be patient because it can take a few hours or perhaps a day or two to complete this. You have a few alternatives for preserving the tail after it has dried, and we have discussed them below.
How to Preserve a Fox Tail
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a). Using Borax
Although there are several ways to preserve a fox tail, the borax powder is one of the most effective methods. People have used the naturally occurring mineral Borax powder as a preservative for centuries. Borax is a substance that, when applied correctly, may absorb moisture from the air and stop the growth of bacteria and mold.
Follow the steps below:
- Get a pack of borax powder once the fox tail has dried out
- Fill the tail’s hollow with the powder and apply it in all the nooks and crannies to ensure the entire tail is covered.
- Plug a smooth stick or long wood in the fox tail and through the Borax powder
- Use wires and stick them in place.
- Hang the fox tail in a shed or in an open area for 3 to 4 weeks to allow the powder to absorb into the fur fully
- After the time has elapsed, pull out the stick and empty the borax powder
- Put another appropriate wood into the dried hole left by Borax and create a handle for the tail
b). Using a Meth Solution
Another method you can use to preserve your fox tails is soaking them in a meth solution after you remove them from the fox carcass.
- Soak the fox tail in your meth solution for three weeks
- After the time lapses, air dry it or dry it in a shed
Some hunters have also recommended using turps to soak fox tails or using white spirits for the soak with a positive result. However, a hunter said he used salt in the hollow of the fox tail after removing it from the turps or meths to achieve better preservation results. Remember to soak the fox’s tail in water for 24 hours before salting it.
Notably, most hunters support soaking your fox tail in methylated spirits for up to four weeks before you wash and dry it. Fortunately, it would be best if you used what works best for you, depending on your personal experience.
c). Tanning the Fox Tail
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Another method used to preserve the fox tail is to tan it. Tanning improves the natural appearance of the fox tail to a color of topaz or a light yellowish brown. Tanning your fox tail also makes it soft, meaning it can be bent in any direction without losing hair.
You can use tanning oil, a tanning solution for this purpose, or egg yolk and, better yet, tannic acid if you get the application right.
Tanning the fox’s tail helps preserve it and ensure it looks like suede leather, lasting forever with no smell or damage. However, it needs to be hydrated well after the tanning process, and you can then sell the treated and well-preserved fox tail. Alternatively, you can put it up for a hunting prize and show off your one-piece.
d). Put the Fox Tail in a Frame or Glass Jar
This is the simplest method of preserving the fox tail since it involves putting it in a glass to prevent the tail from drying out and preserve its shape. Alternatively, you can Taxidermy the fox tail, and although the process is more involved, it will produce a lifelike display.
e). Taxidermy
The first step in taxidermizing a fox’s tail is to scrape off the skin. Only a skilled individual should attempt this delicate process because of its complexity. After removing the skin, the tail must be stuffed with cotton or another soft material. This will aid in maintaining its form.
After stuffing the tail, you can install it on a board or frame. You can use specific taxidermy tools or glue or stitch it in place. Then, make sure the tail is stable and won’t come off. This will help to preserve it for taxidermy.
How Do You Use a Fox Tail?
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A fox tail can be used for different purposes, such as a fashion accessory, a photo shoot prop, or even a sensory play object. The overall look you want to achieve should be considered while wearing a fox tail as a fashion accessory.
For instance, it would be excellent to wear your fox tail with some odd clothing items if you were trying for a more whimsical and fun look. Instead, choose items highlighting your features and curves for a more sophisticated look.
There are many ways to achieve this if you intend to use your fox tail during sensory play. For example, you can use soft fur to tickle your partner or the bushy end of your tail to give a gentle yet firm pressure massage.
The long tail also makes it simple to wrap around different body parts for various sensations. So adding a fox tail will offer more pleasure and spice to your life!
Some people have also reported using a hazel stick in the place of the tailbone to make a duster and have said it works well. It is also great for teasing your pets, like cats.
Conclusion on How to Preserve a Fox Tail
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So, now you know how to preserve a fox tail in the different methods, and you can choose one and preserve it to enjoy the view from the rear-view mirror. Of course, you get more skilled at the craft the more times your skin and preserve fox tail. And it is perfectly normal to make mistakes along the road, but you will be sure that eventually, you will get it.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Preserve a Fox Tail
1. Is Using Salt a Good Method for Preserving the Fox Tails?
Using salt as a fox tail preservative is not a smart idea. Salt drains the skin’s moisture content. It is the initial step in tanning and tightens the skin’s hair follicles. But all you’ll get in the end is a dried-out tail susceptible to humidity.
However, you can remove the salt after 12 hours and replace it, removing the extra moisture after two or three saltings and leaving your fox tail cured. This leaves the tail odorless but still soft and flexible.
2. How to Remove the Tail Bone from the Foxes’ Tail?
First, you will need a scalpel or a sharp knife to get the best cut. Please start at the wide end of your fox’s tail and cut a line from the base of the tail right to the tail until it’s the size of a small pencil.
Try to keep your incision on a straight line and then carefully peel the skin of the tail with fingers from the base and work to the tip. Once you reach the end of the split line, hold the tail firmly and pull the skin downwards, so it turns inside out.
