Life in Southeast Alaska

On to the Front Quarter of the Moose Today

Today I'm working on butchering the front quarter of the moose.  With bones it weighed 58 pounds.  Yesterday we got 22 pounds of meat from the neck - that was ALOT of work, but we don't want anything to go to waste!  We'll see how much meat I get today.

We didn't get a weight on the entire animal before they skinned and cut it up.  They think it weighed between 750 and 800 pounds.  The hide probably weighed 100 to 150 pounds.  We didn't keep it - Nick did.  If I knew how to tan them, I would have kept it.  That is something on our list of things to learn - how to tan a hide.  I've seen books on it, so I'll have to get one.  In high school, I took an art class in Alaska Native Design.  Our teacher, Mrs. Collinsworth, tanned a deer hide and we made moccasins - mine has rabbit fur trim.  I wish I could have learned to tan from her.

I put a bid in on a Country Living grain mill - hand crank - on ebay this morning.  The auction included the nut/bean auger, an attachment for flaking grains, and an extra set of grinding plates - $550 total retail when new.  I figured I'd like to pay half price, so I bid.  I was outbid by about $100.  Oh, well.  It just wasn't meant to be this time.  I'll keep looking 

Tanning

11:12 AM, Wednesday, September 27, 2006 .. Posted by Darcy

That's funny you mention tanning hides. My husband and son were practicing this summer with rabbit and squirrel skins. They were doing some kind of a smoking method and have successfully burnt every one of them to a crisp. I imagine they'll have to give it a try with anything we get during hunting season but I sure hope it goes a little better :).
I'm enjoying watching your progress with this moose!

Darcy