Tanning hides at home

Hello!

We tan our hides at home using a chemical tanning formula so if anyone needs some help with starting that please let me know. It's about one weeks of work but it only costs about $15.00. We used this for seal skins, wolf, and fox but it can be used for any skin pretty much.

We use " Deer hunter's and trapper's hide tanning formula"....you can buy it at any sportman's wharehouse/cabela's or through Funke's trapping supplies store online. (http://www.funketraptags.com/) You cannot miss the bright orange bottle!

Once you get the formula read directions carefully. Once you start the process you will not be able to stop it for at least four days to a week, so plan ahead!

Some things we found out:

1. Use LOTS of salt for the first two saltings. We use about two pounds each time for a good sized wolf skin. The more you use the better. Make sure you get it into all the nooks and crannies and folds. i believe the salt stops the decomposing process, so it's stops the rotting.

2. When skinning don't worry about getting all the fine meat (like the fine muscles attached to the skin on the sides of a wolf) layers and membranes off. Once you are done with the two days of salting and then you soak the skin in a salt solution, THEN scrape these fine layers off with an ikun. The soaking in water makes them swell and separate from the skin so it's ALOT easier. Do, however, remove as much of the fat as possible because it will not be affected.

3. After scraping after the salt bath, and before you wash in soap and water, sew all your rips and tears while the skin is still damp. Use tough skin sewing thread.

4. Before applying the tanning solution, fold the skin flesh to flesh (or if cased skinned hang hair side out) and try to get the fur side as dry as possible. Do not use heat.

5. When you dry the skin after applying the tanning solution and it has been stored for 12-26 hours, pin the legs/tail/head open onto boards or a board, split the ears if you know how, expose the every nook and cranny of the skin to air because if the skin stays wet for more than a day or two the fur will start falling off in that area.

6. NEVER USE HOT OR VERY WARM WATER. This will make bald patches in the fur. Always let the water cool first.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

And you have any tips please post them!