Deer hide tanning question

wems2371 · Post by **wems2371** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:39 pm

Since I've done some blood tracking with the dogs, I wanted my own piece of hide for the end of practice tracks, like my friends use. So on a doe we harvested this year, I cut out a 12" x18" section of hide, and scraped it clean. I didn't have any tanning products, so I used epsom salt. It appears to have done the job, and the hair is tight. Only problem now, is that it's stiff as a board, like a giant rawhide.

In doing some googling, it looks like I'm going to have to find a way to roll it and soften it up. I started to do this, but it wasn't pretty, and I was afraid I was going to crack or tear it up. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions? Do I try wetting it some first? I guess if it's junk it's junk, but I hate to damage it, if I can salvage it.

Vonzeppelinkennels · Post by **Vonzeppelinkennels** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:45 pm

Just take it by the sides & work the hide side over the edge of a board,counter top,deck rail,etc,You can also get some leather grease & preservitve to help soften it up.
The more you work it the softer it will get.

Redfishkilla · Post by **Redfishkilla** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:59 pm

My buddy folds em and beats em with a bat to soften em up. I don't know why a little water would hurt, but I don't mess with hides. I think a taxidermist would know what to put on it. When I did mess with hides 20 mule team borax worked well but cause them to be stiff and hard like you're describing. Good luck, I'd love an update if you care to let us know how it goes.

Do you know of any good books on blood tracking training? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cajun Casey · Post by **Cajun Casey** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:00 pm

Chew on it.

Chukar12 · Post by **Chukar12** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:07 pm

Chew on it.

Doggoneit I was going to say that but I have been practicing restraint and maturity...though it was every bit as amusing as I thought it would be

Coveyrise64 · Post by **Coveyrise64** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:09 pm

Cajun Casey wrote:Chew on it.

Now how did I know you'd be the one to suggest that. Seriously though, that is the way the Indians (native americans) used to soften hides.

Coveyrise64

Vonzeppelinkennels · Post by **Vonzeppelinkennels** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:12 pm

Do not wet it,that will only make it soft untill it dries then will be stiff again.Bend it roll it work it & apply some grease.
Yes chewing it works but I'm assuming it has the hair on it wouldn't not be too tasty.
The acid in your Saliva helps break it down & soften it.I have worked some with hides & skins being into Black Powder & Buckskinning.

Cajun Casey · Post by **Cajun Casey** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:24 pm

Neatsfoot oil works miracles on old dry leather.

AzDoggin · Post by **AzDoggin** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:44 pm

Coveyrise64 wrote:
Cajun Casey wrote:Chew on it.
Now how did I know you'd be the one to suggest that. Seriously though, that is the way the Indians (native americans) used to soften hides.

Coveyrise64

The Indians used mashed brains and...ahem...urine...and they worked it over a rock to break those fibers and soften it up.

Lexol makes all sorts of "modern day" leather conditioning products - I'm certain one of them would do the job.

wems2371 · Post by **wems2371** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:54 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! (the ones that didn't involving chewing or peeing on it)

Redfishkilla--pm'd you.

Vonzeppelinkennels · Post by **Vonzeppelinkennels** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:10 pm

The Indians way of Tanning was called Brain Tanning & they did use the brains of animals for that,I don't recall urine in any of those sloutions but there is a lot I don't recall these days.
Brain Tanning hides gave a very soft & pliable finish more like cloth & most of it was smoked afterwards to help water repellency.The tanning of the skins & all the work was pretty much done by the women.They did chew the Sinew to make thread & the fringe was chewed along with the edges of the leather that was sewed into clothing.The means job was to hunt game & fight wars.

Dakota Swede · Post by **Dakota Swede** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:08 pm

The neatsfoot oil and bending it over an edge (tabletop, ect.) was good advice.

northern cajun · Post by **northern cajun** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:51 pm

use to put sand paper on a round post and just rub it back and forth on the flesh side. Its is time consuming.

twofeathers · Post by **twofeathers** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:46 pm

If you have not done anything yet I could talk to my dad he may still have a tumbler. He is a taxidermist and knife maker in Toronto Ia.
I believe he sends his hides out now but used to tumble his own, I'll ask. Also wondering if, since you were using it for scent tracking you want to add any extra scents to it at all.

terrylndrs · Post by **terrylndrs** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:15 am

try placing it in a clothes dryer and run it with no heat. works pretty well

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