Congrats on the deer Matt, good to hear from ya. Tell everyone up that way I said ha.
BJ yes we really need the rain and yes I have seen the time I almost cried when It just keeps coming, like the Classic most years.
I usually give them couple of days, no I don't normally put it in a hot box
I just put it inside close to heat or cool depending on the time of year. I put a thin base coat of TB3 on first and let it dry, then wet the skins to soften but pat them dry as good as I can , then add another coat of glue and glue them down, I don't wrap them anymore , I just work them from handle to tip until I have them like I want , all the air bubbles are gone /skin lined up down the middle and the glue is set which is pretty quick with TB3. Then give them a day or 2 to dry and then trim the sides and start sealing, using 000 steel wool between coats going from head to tail lightly. I keep on sealing until it is smooth as a Baby's behind. Tougher/thicker skins take more coats to get smooth .
Pappy