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[WileCoyote]

I tanned my first raccoon about a month and a half ago and it took a long time to dry and the tail is still not dry. I tanned a second raccoon two weeks after the first one and it dried much faster and is completely dry. What should I do?

First Raccoon Front and Back

[The Tanner]

You probably put a little too much oil on the hide.  Try covering the flesh in cornmeal.  That absorb the moisture and help dry it out.  Then just shake it out to remove the cornmeal. 

If that doesn't work get a damp cloth and wipe down the leather side of the hide.  The oil is water soluble and this can remove some of the surface oil.