Tanning Deer Hide

[dispatch55126]

I've got a wild idea that I want to tan a deer hide this year. I want to leave the fur on and use it as a wall display near my antler mounts. I do have a few questions though.

1: Does it need to be skinned right away or can the hide remain on for a day?
2: What would be the best way to transport the hide until I can stretch and salt it (12-14 hours post skinning, max)?
3: Since I'm not making a fine leather, I don't mind if its stiff. What would be the best (cheapest) tanning solution? I'm thinking salt and alum.
4: Since I'm not making a fine leather, do I need to oil the skin or can I stop at the tanning?
5: Is there a temperature requirement or can this be done in my garage (30-50 degrees)?

Thanks.

 

[35 Whelen]

The last one I tanned followed this complicated method:
Stretch and nail it to a piece of 1/2" plywood. Scrape the remaining flesh off the best you can, wet it a little, then salt the pi$$ out of it. I mean LOTS of salt and rub it into the skin vigorously. After that, toss the whole rig, plywood, skin and all, on the roof and forget about it for a couple of weeks. Re-wet and apply more salt from time to time.
I did one using this method a good 20 years ago and it ne'er slipped a hair. In fact I used the hide for a Christmas tree skirt until I got married and the Missus had different decorating tastes thatn I. Also did a coyote and a rabbit with like results...except I didn't throw them on the roof, I just set the board in the garage for a few weeks.
I nevered worried about getting the hide off the carcass immediately. I never oiled my hides after my crude tanning method. If it gets that cold where you are, I think I'd put the hide in the garage.
YMMV...
35W

 

[RIATAC45]

35 Whelen - I would like to try that myself. Where bouts in Texas do you live, I am just outside of Houston, and I wonder if the humidity round here would affect this method.

 

[35 Whelen]

35 Whelen - I would like to try that myself. Where bouts in Texas do you live, I am just outside of Houston, and I wonder if the humidity round here would affect this method.

I live a-way up in north Texas near the Oklahoma border. I wouldn't worry about the humidity. Just try it!
35W

 

[EatBugs]

I've tanned my own hide one year... I found a cheep tanning kit at a sporting goods store. I Left the skin on the deer for a few days in 30 to 40 degree weather. Then I rolled it up and wraped in many layers of bags and saran wrap and put in the freezer till I had more time to tan.

When it came time to thaw... it did it in a huge tub of warm water with a bit of dish soap to remove the oils and and then again in just regular tub of warm water and let it soak for a bit. then let it drip on a line for awhile(directions in the kit advised to do this too).... tack to board and salt it like crazy... then came time to mix the kit ingredients together and tan.... I did have a slight problem with the hide not drying so I had to move it from the garage to the basement with a dehumidifier. But it worked and how i have a stiff but nice looking hide hanging on the wall.

a lot of work!
my next hide I just defleshed and salted... then i put in paper bag and in box and shiped to a tannery and got a beautiful product for cheep since I did the hard work(defleshing and salt drying)... www.sterntanning.com is the place I used and they did an excellent job.

 

[dispatch55126]

35 Whelen - So all you did was salt it? I keep reading that you have to tan it after salting but if that's all you did...

Where is Texas are you? I was stationed at Altus for a few years.

 

[35 Whelen]

35 Whelen - So all you did was salt it? I keep reading that you have to tan it after salting but if that's all you did...

Where is Texas are you? I was stationed at Altus for a few years.

Yep. Just stretched, scraped and salted. I have no explaination...only that it worked for me. Salt is a preservative ya know....

I live out in the country west of Wichita Falls. That'd be south and a little east of Altus AFB.
35W

 

[Deer Hunter]

I'll be looking to salting a white-tail skin this year to put up my wall.

 

[dispatch55126]

I live out in the country west of Wichita Falls. That'd be south and a little east of Altus AFB.
35W

Are those camels still there south of the highway between Vernon and Wichita Falls?

 

[HB]

I've tanned my own hide one year...

Oh God, did it hurt?

 

[35 Whelen]

Are those camels still there south of the highway between Vernon and Wichita Falls?

Last time I thought to lokk they were. The old fella that owned them and the land commited suicide terminal cancer) so they mau have been moved.
35W