Anyone tan their own hides? I want to learn

[USMC0332]

I have an opportunity to go on my first black bear hunt, and want to start coyote hunting. I would like to tan my own hides, as I won't pay $400 for a bear rug. I like to do things myself. I don't know much about either hunt as I have no experience, other than deer and small game hunting. I would be tanning for my own use and gifts, etc. I will probably make some holes, as I don't have a rifle smaller than .30 yet. Any help will be appreciated. I live in east central Minnesota.

[oso45-70]

USMC0332

My mom was the tanner at my house, She always found a reason to tan my hide. I have on numerous occasions Tried to use the brain method with little or no sucsess. I don't think i had my heart in it though. I would bet you could find something on the internet that would help you........Joe...........

[kyote]

well, normally varmint hunters and predator hunters don't have much left ta tan after the critters git hit with high velocity missiles.true,that some of us us r after the fer.you might want to find a trapper are varmint hunter in yer area that does tanning.and see if you can not see it done 1st hand.

[james]

USMC, its been a long time but I tanned a few deer hides using alum and salt.  I can't remember the exact amounts but I think I put a pound of salt and 8oz of alum in two gallons of hot water and soaked the hides for about 5 days.  I first took the hair off by soaking in lime and water until the hair slipped, then scraped them.   After tanning the hides you have to soften them.  I pulled the leather across the sharp corners of a board fence, then oiled them with neatsfoot oil. I still have some of the buckskin that is 20 years old and it is in better condition than leather that I bought. Maybe someone can provide betterl instructions because my memory is not the best.
james

[nea243]

usmc0332, look under the taxidermy forum then go under tanning and check out deenis b's post. maybe this will answer some of your ?.

nea243

[Ranger J]

James

About thirty years or so ago, when I was heavily into buckskinning, I decided to tan a deer hide in salt and alum.  My method was just about as you describe it.  Everything went great until it came to the beaming or softening process.  I don’t remember how many hours spent pulling that deer hide across a chair leg in order to soften it.  The thick hide across the front shoulders was the worst.  I too got excellent leather from it and still have a cartridge box for a Brown Bess I made from it.  All in all I decided that this would be one of those ‘once in a life time’ events and afterwards if I needed leather I bought or traded for it.  I have an anal friend that actually tanned a buffalo hide with the hooves and hair still on it.  Better he than I.  I can’t even begin to think about the time he must have spent on it.
RJ