Hog skin shield

The latest hog has a skin shield (the last 7 did not). Of course this one has that great European look and I'd like to tan the hide. It sounds like I have to slice the whole shield area up carefully to allow the salt to get under it. Anyone have any experience with this process?
On a side note, I shot it with a slug at 25 yards and it went through one side of the shield area blew out the lungs and stopped at the shield after breaking the ribs. Very impressive shield.