Home Tanning Process Preserves Pelts

(Page 3 of 3)

October/November 2001
By Anita Evangelista, 2001 issue Backwoods Home magazine 
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Remove the hides from rinse water; they will be very heavy. Let them hang over a board or the back of a chair or other firm surface to drain. Now, using a sponge, rag or paint brush, swab the still-damp skin side of the hide with an ounce of neat's-foot oil. It should be absorbed quickly, leaving only a slight oily residue. Tack the hide to your "stretcher." We use salvaged wood pallets. Gently pull the hide as you tack it so there's some tension in the skin. No need to exert excess pressure or overstretch. Set the hide in a shady place to dry.

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Your acidic tanning solution can be neutralized for disposal by adding a couple boxes of baking soda. It will froth and bubble vigorously and release a potentially tox ic gas, so give it plenty of ventilation and get away from the bucket while this is happening. We have a small farm and generally pour the used solution on dirt driveways to keep them clear of weeds. Do not pour it down your drain.

Check the hide every day. When the skin side feels dry to the touch in the center, but still flexible and somewhat soft, take it down from the rack. Lay the fur side down and go over the skin with a wire bristle brush. This softens the skin and lightens the color. Don't brush heavily or excessively in one spot, just enough to give a suede-like appearance. After this, set the skin where it can fully dry for a day or so longer.

A FINAL. THOUGHT

Once your friends know you can tan hides, be prepared for them to bring around their hunting trophies and livestock skins for treatment. If you decide to do this, take my advice: Don't do it for free. Commercial tanners get $25 to $45 to tan a hide, and you should price your work accordingly, even if your return is just a case of beer. Otherwise you'll find yourself swamped with every little skin in your region and left with no time for anything else. In exchange, your friends can expect to get a professional, quality job, with an upfront understanding about what might go wrong and what compensation you will get. People get very sensitive about their skins and this precaution will prevent potential misunderstandings and help you keep your friends.

DAVID HARPER
Mt. Morris, Illinois

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Comments

  • Adrianne Jordan 8/10/2009 10:58:10 PM

    I froze the hide of the first ram we slaughtered because he had a beautiful fleece. Now, 4 years later, I'm wondering if it is still possible to tan it? Any suggestions? Thanks!

  • Jan 1/16/2009 11:17:54 AM

    Is it possible to tan a sheepskin that has previously been dried but not tanned? The one I have is "crunchy" on the skin side.

  • Kymberlyn Weber 10/16/2008 5:49:37 PM

    I'm about to make my solution. The husband bought Bran Flakes cereal. I want to use the wheat bran that is available at the health food stores... the bran that looks more like a bit of seed.

    Considering Kathy's situation I believe that my bran pellets would be a better choice. I dread the thought of having to try to wash and brush cereal mush out my lambskins. The hair is nearly 3-inches long. Can you imagine the mess that cereal is going to make on these?

    Well, if we don't drown each other while arguing over it, I will write back and share my experience.

  • kathy 1/7/2008 11:09:46 AM

    I just finished a buffaloe hide using this recipe & the hair
    has stayed on great. The only thing negative about it was that the
    brand flakes desolved in the boiling water & straining it
    without brand flakes getting in your solution was impossible. I
    even resorted to using a thinly worn pillow case & it just
    plugged up the holes. Also, once I soaked it in this solution, I
    took it up to the car wash & used the high power sprayer on it
    to try to get out to bran flakes. I then air dried it overnight
    (about 46 degrees) and then brushed out what I could. I think
    there's got to be another recipe without this in it. Being smaller
    pellets it would still work good on & easier to comb the flakes
    out when dry.

  • Tina 11/19/2007 3:58:18 PM

    Can you use this recipe for deer hides with the fur on?

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