Tanning hides

T

Truett

New member
Hey guys, I was just wondering if y'all had any tips on tanning hides, and if it's easy to learn or if it would be better to have somebody else do it.

If you've got any suggestions I'd love to hear them!
Thanks,
Truett
 
I ve done my first couple of fox hides, I did alot of research on the internet, I order a pickling solution and a tanning oil. I have one now in pickling and one salted. The are coming out better than I thought. I dont expect them to be as good as my taxidermist does them but it saves me a good bit of money and I enjoy doing it so far.

GAbe
 
I have always used Lutan-f. Just follow the directions and you won't screw them up. You'll probably lose more hides due to not skinning soon enough, cuttin' them up, and during fleshing than anything else. I only flesh with a pressure washer now and have for the past few years , and I never lose any. Go in the tanning forum on taxidermy.net and there's some gal from California who gives a pretty good tutorial on it. It is messy but I can get a dog done in 10 minutes. I can do a hide for about 6 dollars and it really isn't that hard. If it was, I would just send them out. It is time consuming but the vast majority of that time is spent soaking and not actually doing anything. If you get them ready to send out, you HAVE done all the hard work(in my opinion). PM me if you need any futher help.
 
I have tanned several myself. The best part is when you have a nice wall hanger and can say I tanned it myself. With that it is very time consuming. My best advice is flesh it well taking your time not to put any holes in it. If you do sew holes try waxed dental floss and a thick needle. Wash a bloody hide with cool water and some grease cutting soap. I have only used Lutan kits but happy with it. JUst a few tips but give it a try. Youll be cussing the work im sure but its worth it and really not THAT hard once you practice on a few. I will usually tan 1 or 2 best ones of the year for myself/friends and sell the rest air dried to fur buyers. GOOD LUCK
 
Head over to Taxinet and do a search for a guy named Blaine I think his screen name is "coonhollow" . He is offering "trapper kits" that are so easy a caveman can do it. Everyone so far has had good luck with his products.

I just came across it so heres the link. hope it helps.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,237641.msg1660277.html#msg1660277
 
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If you don't care if the hide get stiff "20 Mule Team Borax" can be used to remove the excess meat and preserve the hide. It takes a lot of rubbing to remove the fats and meat then stretch it out till it drys.
 


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