$ To Tan A Coyote Skin?

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Water_Gremlin

New member
How many bones and I looking at to get an average sized coyote tanned? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif I am sure the price varies but a pall park figure would be fine.

Thanks.
 
Check out River Runners site, Champion Tannery, he did a fox and a coyote for me this year and they turned out great. Tanning on a predator is about $48 from Champion Tannery.
 
$45- $100 depending on if you prep it your self or have someone else prer it. Prices vary between tanneries and or taxidermists.
 
You should check out Moyle Mink in Heyburn Idaho. It's only about 25 bones to get it tanned plus the shipping to get it there. I had them tan a pretty large coyote last year and they did a wonderful job. I'm very please with the results.
Here is a link to some more info.
http://www.moytown.com/
 
Thanks everyone for the responses. I was hoping to hear prices under $100. If I am successful this season I would love to keep the hides and have them tanned, maybe even a mount if I can skin a decent hide.

After reading River Runners "How To" section on fur handling it makes me wonder if I should buy a dryer from the salvation army, get some saw dust, tanning chemical, and tann them myself. Maybe the articles built up my confidence more than I should have let it?
 
Go for it!

I started tanning much of my skins several years ago. Clearly there are lots of little nuances and several varieties of methods and approaches, but I have been having good success and continue to learn and improve. If I can, You can.

You don't need to invest much to give it a go, and if you find it to be something you like then there are plenty of neat things you can upgrade with.

Best of success and keep us posted on your adventure.
 
What kind of setup do you use to tan the hide after it has been completely fleshed? Do you use the large barrel on an electronic motor and rollers?

I think I could buy a cheap dryer, set it up in the back yard and that would get the job done.
 
Anything and everything electric would be a [possibly] nice to have upgrade, but you can have great results with proper fleshing, the proper chemicals, 5 gallon spackle buckets, good [kept sharp] knives, and the time to 'break' using nothing but your hands.

5 gallon buckets are actually an excellent way to go unless you have more than a couple hides in one chemical step or are doing large capes. Key is using the right amount of chemical with the size of the hide and keeping the hide submerged fully in the chemical w/o being cramed so the chemicals have trouble getting to all areas of the hide.

Regardless of the tanning chemical [there are several good ones] you go with, you will find that salt [and lots of it] is something you need all along the way. I buy it in 50 lb bags from the feed store for about $4 a bag.

If you find that you are into tanning, the first upgrades [my view] you would want to consider are a tanning drum [used to break the hide... not tan it] and a wheel knife for fleshing and shaving thicker hides.

I really do recommend you go simple and focus on fleshing, fleshing, fleshing, and the subsequent steps. Don't go for volume [to start]. Go for consistency and quality and then once you are comfortable you got them then you can look at increasing volume and the tool upgrades.

Did I mention fleshing? If you don't get the fleshing right it affects everything else. It takes time and lots of practice.
 
I agree. River Runner taught me to tan my own hides. I'm not set up to flesh properly yet so have a hard time with coyotes but my foxes and bobcats turn out great. The coyotes turn out good too but the time it takes me is so long that it's not worth my while to do them myself.

But, you can get a lot of satisfaction from doing your own hides. I'd suggest starting on a fox or cat because they are extremely easy to do.
 
Don't overlook the importance of fleshing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif around the lips, nostrils, eyes, and especially the ears. Shriveled up faces really detract from the beauty of a fine pelt. Learn how to turn the ears. You'll be glad you did. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Yes, I hear fleshing is the key to tanning a good hide. Turning ears will be a learning process for me. I didnt even read about it on the "how to" of tanning. Any suggestions, tips, or special secrets?

From what I have gathered the cartilage of the ears doesnt need to be extracted.
 
Turning ears is an acquired skill. I blew out a few before getting the hang of it. They make a special set of pliers that open when you squeeze them. I have done ears using just a knife, but I have found it easier with the pliers. You can get them at sites like wasco. It's one of those things that requires 'forceful non-aggressiveness'...lol, you'll know what I mean when your working on one. Just know that like most things, it gets easier with practice.

Watching folks that are good at it is invaluable. So see if you can hook up with a local taxidermist. There may also be videos available.
 


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