Any one ever tan a deer hide?

[AhBee01]

My DH got a 9-10 point, we don't know if we should consider it a ten piont cuz of the size of the tenth point,lol but anyway my youngest insists that was try to tan the hide so he can make a hat and boots!!! LOL!!! He is only six!
So we thought we could give it a go, and I just wondered if anyone had ever done it before!
I will google up the directions and go from there!
I posted some pics what do you all think about the little point!!!! LOL !!!

 

[BettyR]

No but you can find just about anything on the net...google (home tanning deer hide) and see what comes up.

 

[Mahonri]

Out west we'd call that buck a 4 point. If the point isn't at least 3 inches long, it's not a point. (Nice buck BTW)

If they have one on each side, it's called a spike. (yearling)

If I were close I'd invite myself over for some deer burgers.

 

[curliet]

Here in MI I'm counting 8 points.
Was this with gun or bow? Our gun season opens the 15th.

 

[AhBee01]

He took the deer by bow, here is another view.
That is my wedding band hanging from the point in question!!!!

 

[Cetawin]

If you want to tan that hide, keep the deer's brain. I know that sounds gross but it is necessary.

Get the hide off the deer, scrap the flesh die clean of all meat and tissue. If you want the hair off, soal the hide in water for a couple of days...the hair will start to 'slip'. Then scrap off the hair. Rinse the hide thoroughly. Mix the brain with warm water and make a semi-thick paste and begin rubbing it into the flesh side of the hide. If you are doing both side and have removed the hair, put the hide in a bucket with the brain solution and thoroughly saturate it.

The hide is going to smell funny and you may think it is going bad but it is not.

take the hide out of the brain solution, wring it out well and begin stretching the hide. This is known as softening. You are opening the fibers of the hide itself. You can resoak it in the brain solution at this point if you want a butter soft hide. Remove from the brains again, rinse lightly and wring and begin stretching the hide in every direction and as far as you can. DO not be surprised if your hands, shoulders and back start to hurt. Do this until the hide is completely dry.

Once the hide is soft and dry, Smoke it over a wood fire but be careful not to scorch it. Once the hide is smoked the color you want it, remove it and you have a braintanned hide that will last you 100 years.

For more detailed instructions, you can try braintan. com for info. I personally use a different process than he does but I do it the way I was taught as a child so, they do have good info on that site.

Here are some of my hides hanging around my deck in various stages of softening.

This is a small one completely softened before being smoked

 

[AhBee01]

cool thanks!
He wants the fur!!!
Brenda

 

[Cetawin]

If he is using it as a rug? just scrap the hide side of all flesh and salt the back...you can buy a product called No slip I believe it is that will keep the hair from slipping. That will give you a firm back, good hair and no all of the work. It is hard to tan the hide and not lose the hair...it can be done but it is much harder and for a first timer...I would go the rawhide route on the back.

 

[curliet]

Seeing it from that angle I can see the 9 points. The one in question would have to be as long as your thumb I believe.

Cetawin is right on with the way to tan the hide, and the brain is the most important part. They say that the Creator gives each animal just enough brain matter to tan his own hide.