Tanning

[jbrower115]

I've got this crazy notion in my head that I want to tan my deer and elk hides. I'm sure that I want to do it myself. I've got a book about it and I've puttered around the internet so I have a general picture in my head. One of the common chemicals is alum. Only problem is that there's a little 3 oz bottle for about $3 at the store and I'm gonna need a pound or two. Anyone know of a way to get some alum cheap? Is there an alternative?

[sneekeepete]

One of my friends was trying to tinker around and do this stuff too. He actually tanned a whitetail hide and a fox hide using the kit they sell at Cabelas. It is very inexpensive and his hides turned out great! that is what my suggestion would be.

[Top_Pin]

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/
Will have everything you need to know

[sneekeepete]

Top_Pin that is a pretty cool forum you posted up. I had never seen it before. Looks to have lots of great info and some good folks to help anyone out. Thanks for sharing!

[jbrower115]

Thanks guys! I did ask on that forum but haven't gotten an answer yet. Considering that I've never tried to tan or even skin anything but a couple squirrels I might just use the kit from Cabela's.

[jbrower115]

Oh yeah....when can I stop being a fawn?!? Seriously how much do you have to post to go to a spike or whatever?

[NiceRack]

There is a huge difference between tanning small game a big game. Big game hides require tools and equipment, ie; fleshing beams, knives or a electric fleshing machine and a tumbler. The tanning process is the same for both but the workload is far greater on a big game animal. If your are a beginner you "will" experience problems like hair slipping, cutting through the hide with a fleshing knife and dealing with the correct tanning chemicals ratios. Don't let these setbacks discourage you it happens to all of us! The learning curve can be steep though. I tan most of my small game hides and only about 5% of my big game hides. Tanneries are in business to "tan" hides. I am in the taxidermy business and have found it much more profitable to farm out big game tanning. Good Luck!
Paul
"Nice Rack" Taxidermy