Not to put a damper on the auction for the kids, but that doesn't look dried and tanned to me, so it's probably not a good starter tail. Heck of a deal on a big tail though!!!
If Andrew wanted to do his own first tail, I'd suggest he buy one off Big Jim's website as they are dried, tanned, and ready to wrap. It sounds like he would like to leave this one for the pros. I understand this as I'm still doing leather wraps getting my skills up for my first beaver tail wrap. It's very costly to make mistakes with that material!
Personally, I'd consider checkering or stippling on a high grip recurve before a beaver tail wrap. Then again that wasn't the question asked.
Hopefully I see all you MLA guys at Comptons!
Thom