how to tan animal hide

[Bigust]

Does anyone have a good process for tanning hides???

[newmathewsfan]

Take 'em to north Texas tannery In Denton. I just got 3 Axis hides back from there and they turned out wonderfully. $105 + shipping was a real bargain!

[Bigust]

Rocksprings is about 5 hour drive to Denton. Do not think i can ship fresh kill.

[newmathewsfan]

Wash the hide and freeze it in plastic bag. When it is frozen solid, box it up and send it to them via UPS or Fed-ex. Mine came back to me chamois soft and looked great. They only charged $35 per deer and $10 to ship them to me in Midland. I will send everything to them in the future.

[Navajo]

Send it to a tannery. Its to much work if you don't. The tanning is easy, it's breaking the hide thats hard. Newmathewsfan, I have used North Texas for years now. Robert is a good guy but after losing 2 of my capes this year, I don't think I will be going back to him.

[CaptE10]

I have tanned hides off and on for 36 years. Started when I was 14, my first hide was a deer. I used the alum method on it, still have the hide and it is still soft. I have tried many methods through the years including brain tanning. Still use the same alum method that I started using when I was a teenager. The formula is 10 gallons water, 5 pounds salt, 2 pounds alum. The earlier post was right the breaking down the hide after it is tanned is the work. Of course preparing the hide for the tanning solution takes some elbow grease also. So if you have the time and don't mind the work I can give you the steps for hair on or hair off tanning. Let me know I will be glad to post the instructions.

[treed]

Try Jerry Hammack in Kerrville.

[Gerald G]

Hey CaptE10,

Can you post the steps to the hair-on process or email them to me mesquite@prontonet.net

Thanks, Gerald

[Witchgrass]

$105.00 plus shipping for 3 axis hides? Wow, I was just quoted over $500 to have an elk hide tanned! If they do good work, its definitely worth it.

[whitetailslayer]

Try Jerry Hammack in Kerrville.

x2

[CaptE10]

First you have to get the membrane off the flesh side of the hide. the easiest way I have found to do this is to make a square frame of 2x4rs or pipe or anything you have laying around. the frame has to be bigger than the hide is when laid out so you can stretch the hide. After the frame is built lay it on the ground lay the hide in the middle. Start at one corner of the hide poke some round holes in the corner edge of the hide. Start lacing the hide in the frame. You want it good and tight. Set in the shade to dry out. ( NOT IN DIRECT SUN) I usually lean it up against a tree or the shady side of a building. When dry about an hour or two depending on the heat and humidity. Then take a claw hammer start at the neck edge of the hide. Scrape the claws on the flesh side of the hide the membrane will start to come up. You can pull some with your fingers some spots will have to be worked with the claws of the hammer. Do this until all membrane is off the flesh side of the hide. Now take down off the frame.
Put the hide in fresh water and let it soak to get it pliable again. Keep changing the water until the hide is soft again. After the hide is soft, if you want to take the hair off now is the time. Get some hydrate lime like they sell at Lowes are a hardware store. Mix a ratio of 5 Lbs lime in 10 gal. water. You have to have enough to cover the hide. Place hide in solution and let sit for about a week or two. Stir at least 2 times a day. Test hide by pulling on the hair, when the hair slips out easily remove from solution. Rinse the hide well.Take a dull knife or other tool and scrape the hair off. If you want the hair left on, skip this whole previous step and go straight to the tanning solution.
After you have gotten the hide soft again from scraping the flesh side of the hide. Mix up the tanning solution of a ratio of 10 gal water, 5 Lbs salt, and 2 Lbs alum.( alum can be bought in 2 oz bottles at the grocery store in the pickling dept. or I did have a pharmacist that would order it for me in 1 Lbs bottles. Lot cheaper that way.) Mix enough solution to cover the hide when placed in the barrel or plastic trash can or what ever you are using. Place wet hide in the solution and let set for 10 to 14 days stirring AT LEAST twice a day. You can check to see when the hide is finished by cutting a small corner off, or a slice into the hide along the edge in the thickest part of the hide. The hide will have a blueish tent to the hide all the way through. The hide is tanned at this point. Take it out of the solution and rinse very well.
Now for the hard work. As the hide starts to dry you have to pull and twist the hide. I have a metal plate set into a 2x6 that is attached to a base. I work the hide over this plate as it dries. Also you can string a rope between to objects and pull the hide back and forth across the rope. Additionally pull on the hide like you are trying to stretch it. You don't have to work it every minute, you do have to stay on top of it. If the hide dries hard you have to wet the hide again and start the stretching process over.
I know this is a lot of info to convert to action and might be a little confusing. If you have questions feel ask I will help you anyway I can.

[Texastaxi]

CaptE, tanning has come a long way in 36 years. They even have this newfangled contraption, called a knife, so you don't have to use a claw hammer anymore.




Bigust, if you don't mind experimenting, go for the DIY tan.
If you want a professional quality tan, take it to a professional.
Jerry Hammack, in Kerville has been mentioned but to my knowledge, he only does a wet tan (better suited for mounting, not flat hides).
I have driven by a taxidermy shop in Rock Springs also. Stop in and ask him if he sends out his dry tanned hides. If so, let him do it for you. If not, keep looking.

Tanning isn't rocket science, but a good, quality tan is darn close.

[Bigust]

Thanks for the heads up

[whitetailslayer]

Jerry Hammack, in Kerville has been mentioned but to my knowledge, he only does a wet tan (better suited for mounting, not flat hides).

I've gotten flat hides done from him. But you may be part right as he might send them elsewhere to get them done.

[CaptE10]

Texastaxi I have heard of them new fangled knife things you mention. But i have found I can clean the flesh side of a hide with a claw hammer a whole lot faster than with a knife and don't have to worry about cutting the hide.