roadkill

[wasanchez]

A deer got it hit in front of our place a couple days ago.  Buzzards and coyotes already had their way with it but the hide is still mostly intact.  I plan on using the leg bones for points,  but I want to know if the hide is salvageable.  It still stinks like crazy but if I can get use out of it once the smell wears off I will.

Walt

[JackCrafty]

Probably should have grabbed that deer as soon as it was hit.  All the parts are gonna stink bad now... including the bones.

You can buy a colony of beetles (DERMESTID BEETLES) that will clean the carcase.  Just order them online and dump them onto the deer when they arrive.  They will clean the bones really well.

[osage outlaw]

Check your local laws.  We have to have a permit from a CO or a cop to take any part of a roadkill deer or turkey.

[wasanchez]

Kinda figured that, thanks.

Walt

[JW_Halverson]

Just keep those dermestid beetles a long way away from anything animal based...things like mounted trophies, sinew backed bows, hide quivers, leather boots, etc!  They are the beetle version of tasmanian devils!

[wasanchez]

Are those beetles native to Texas.  When I looked at it there were a bunch of of bugs I've never seen before.

Walt

[JackCrafty]

There are many species that are native to the US and the ones you order via the internet are found in the wild all over the US.  Adding a colony to a carcase just speeds up the natural process.  You can get rid of them, if they get into your shop, by using the same chemicals, sprays, and fogs used to kill roaches.

[wasanchez]

Will they eat the hide too, or just the meat and fat and such?

Walt

[JackCrafty]

They eat everything...the hide, the fat, cartilage, ...even the hair.

[JW_Halverson]

They are nothing if not incredibly efficient.  And if they get into a mounted trophy you will not know they are there until suddenly you look up and all the hair has fallen off and you have a set of horns and glass eyeballs mounted on a styrofoam form. 

[wasanchez]

Good to know, thanks.

Walt