BakersDozen Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 A friend got a large elk and gifted us the hide. I'm not sure if I should be thankful or if the relationship is now in jeopardy because this is WAY out of my element! He said to stretch it out, clean off all meat, wash it well, then salt it and roll until we are ready to use it (I think in his freezer?). That's all I've got. A pioneer woman, I am not. At all. I would throw this thing in the trash, personally, but it could be a super cool experience for at least one of my dc. Any help/suggestions? Please don't offer using the brains because that's too much. It just is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) There is tanning liquid that you can buy that you just paste on the flesh side. But first you do need to remove the meat, salt etc. My ds 27 has tanned several deer hides. He has in The past used an old trampoline frame to stretch it out Edited September 12, 2022 by Melissa in Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I could send him a message and ask him the process if you would like. It may take me up to 24 house to reply though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 14 minutes ago, Melissa in Australia said: I could send him a message and ask him the process if you would like. It may take me up to 24 house to reply though That would be marvelous, thanks!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 This is the reply from my son I’d recommend getting it done by someone.. either that or tell them to google it.. clean all the meat off best you can then salt it, after a day shake salt of and re salt, do that 3-4 times. Then you all depends on the tanning solution they get. I haven’t done one for years so I’d google how to do it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 1 hour ago, Melissa in Australia said: This is the reply from my son I’d recommend getting it done by someone.. either that or tell them to google it.. clean all the meat off best you can then salt it, after a day shake salt of and re salt, do that 3-4 times. Then you all depends on the tanning solution they get. I haven’t done one for years so I’d google how to do it Got it. Most of meat off tonight, rolled it and have it on ice until tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Clan of the Cave Bear says aged urine for white tanning. Probably we’ve come further than that these days. 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I wouldn't consider you 'gifted". Your friend gave you a lot of work. https://www.wikihow.com/Tan-a-Deer-Hide . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) I would contact an outdoor sports/hunting store for advice. Or the website of a related magazine, like Outdoor Life maybe? Im curious how the friend determined that you would like such a gift, if you care to share background. 🙂 Edited September 12, 2022 by marbel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 1 hour ago, gstharr said: I wouldn't consider you 'gifted". Your friend gave you a lot of work. https://www.wikihow.com/Tan-a-Deer-Hide . Same. I would have declined the gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Just rub the hide well with the elk brain. He did give you the brain, right? If not, give him an eye-roll Bill 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Call your local taxidermy shop. If they can’t do it they should be able to direct you to someone who can. DH also suggests that if you live in an area with elk hunting, calling an elk hunting guide might help you find the best in the area. If they don’t do it themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 What's your plan for it after you get it tanned? If you are only doing it for the experience but have no plans for the future, I'd be sorely tempted to gift it to someone else who does this and let dc assist them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 In the far past, we used to salt them and then mail them somewhere to be processed. I cannot find the name of the company.They would do the processing and mail it back. But you could have purses, jackets, gloves etc custom made . I used them fir sewing projects over the years. I agree with above posters, let someone who knows how to process it do so. And if you have no plans for using it, gift it to someone who will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Could you just take it to a taxidermist place and have it done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 My big question is -- why would you go to all this trouble without a solid plan for exactly how you're going to use it when you're done? This is the kind of thing that could be a leather crafter's dream, but otherwise, it seems like a big waste of time and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 My mom used some version of sourdough once on rabbit hides. She followed some directions but the hide was never stretched enough. Rabbit frisbee! Good luck, sounds daunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted September 16, 2022 Author Share Posted September 16, 2022 On 9/12/2022 at 6:45 AM, Spy Car said: Just rub the hide well with the elk brain. He did give you the brain, right? If not, give him an eye-roll Bill We were offered the brain but I didn't take it. Not sure why...not using my own brain well, I suppose! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted September 16, 2022 Author Share Posted September 16, 2022 OK, so right now the hide has been thoroughly scraped, washed, and salted. It has been a tremendous experience for the dc!! They are putting hours and hours into this, and my detail-oriented 16yod is absolutely loving this. They're taking it step by step so hopefully something really neat will come from this. As to the reason the friend considered us first... In the past this friend has gotten javelina and deer which he has allowed our dc to help process. He was a bit surprised the first time when none of them balked and actually did a good job! He gave the antlers and legs to the kids as a joke one year - he thought they would all just end up in the trash. But our dc (actually, it was our now 16yod's idea) buried the legs feet-up in our front yard and also buried the antlers such that it looked for all the world like an entire deer was buried there. Oh my gosh, people walking by, cars slowing down as drivers did a double-take - it was hilarious! So the "game" game has gone on for a while now with each round involving a different animal. I think our friend just delights in knowing kids, including teen girls, who are not squeamish or afraid of getting their hands dirty. So that's the history there. Our friend has a back up plan in case the dc run into trouble. He just wanted to give them first dibs and, while I was very skeptical, it's turning out to be a really amazing thing to watch them do. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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