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Should I cure rabbit skins before gundog training use?
Do I need to cure rabbit skins before wrapping them on a dummy or is it okay to put them on 'fresh off' the bunny? If I have to cure them, what’s the best thing to use?
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Gun dog training
PETER BLATCH
No, I don?t bother curing the skins before fitting them to a dummy.
To make a good job of this the fresh skin should mould tightly to the dummy when fitted and the best time of year to do it is in winter when there are no flies on the wing to lay eggs on it.
First step is to skin an adult rabbit ? preferably one that?s been either netted, caged or head shot ? and place it around the dummy.
Tie it securely at each end, then tightly secure the skin to the dummy with strong elastic bands allowing it to mould to the dummy perfectly.
If you can?t wait until winter, go through the same procedure but after each training session put the rabbit skin dummy into a carrier bag and put it in a fridge until it?s needed again.
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