Deer hide, what do you do with it?

[JakeElliott]

What do you all do with the hide off your deer?

It seems a waste to just bin it but also I don't want to waste time and money tanning it if there's no market for them.

 

[VSS]

I tan them and sell them (£130 each) but it's only really worthwhile doing the summer pelage fallow, because it's the spotty hides that people want to buy.

 

[JakeElliott]

I tan them and sell them (£130 each) but it's only really worthwhile doing the summer pelage fallow, because it's the spotty hides that people want to buy.

Thank you, I might give it a go with one I have. Fallow buck that still has it's faint spots from it's summer coat.

 

[T.eddie]

I keep mine, have tanned some the rest are currently in the freezer until I get enough time to do some more

 

[Tim.243]

What do you all do with the hide off your deer?

It seems a waste to just bin it but also I don't want to waste time and money tanning it if there's no market for them.

Chest shot one will be worth nothing, but thinking about the hide as a profit item could send you down the head neck road
(which is fine) as I am sure Vss's ones will not be chest shot.
I say do one and get it right then you have 1 to show/market.

 

[VSS]

Chest shot one will be worth nothing, but thinking about the hide as a profit item could send you down the head neck road
(which is fine) as I am sure Vss's ones will not be chest shot.

Chest shot ones are fine for tanning and sale, provided that the entry and exit holes are small and tidy. People are generally fascinated by the reality of what went into producing such a beautiful rug, and the bullet holes can be an additional USP.

 

[maximus otter]

6.5 SE with Ballistic Tips vs. handbag deer, plus my “drunk monkey with chainsaw” skinning skills, means that mine end up in the bin.

maximus otter

 

[WalkedUp]

Reminds me of a thread on Pigeon Watch where a talented joiner had filleted a bass … around the bones. The comment was “your chainsaw needs sharpening”

6.5 SE with Ballistic Tips vs. handbag deer, plus my “drunk monkey with chainsaw” skinning skills, means that mine end up in the bin.

maximus otter

 

[JakeElliott]

Chest shot ones are fine for tanning and sale, provided that the entry and exit holes are small and tidy. People are generally fascinated by the reality of what went into producing such a beautiful rug, and the bullet holes can be an additional USP.

If you don't mind sharing, what is your tanning process?

 

[VSS]

If you don't mind sharing, what is your tanning process?

I'm using K-Tan.

 

[biffo]

If you don't mind sharing, what is your tanning process?

Sitting in a deck chair with a beer , a good book and some SPF 50

 

[big ears]

Got my first deer I shot tanned at the tannery in buckfast in Devon. Sadly now closed. I remember they rang me to say did I know it had a hole just behind the shoulder

 

[timbrayford]

Salt and air dry it. Tie it around a suitably large roll of foam rubber or plastic, place in hedge, lay blood trail to train dog!

 

[devon deer stalker]

Got my first deer I shot tanned at the tannery in buckfast in Devon. Sadly now closed. I remember they rang me to say did I know it had a hole just behind the shoulder

I just thought I would check and they confirmed no deer but just sheep skins, which is a pain as I might want one done if I get a nice fallow

 

[Limpo]

Chest shot ones are fine for tanning and sale, provided that the entry and exit holes are small and tidy. People are generally fascinated by the reality of what went into producing such a beautiful rug, and the bullet holes can be an additional USP.

We always used to sew the bullet hole shut on a fox skin in the 80's when it was fresh.

 

[Shackleton]

What do you all do with the hide off your deer?

It seems a waste to just bin it but also I don't want to waste time and money tanning it if there's no market for them.

If you don’t want to keep them, hang them on a post and rail fence or something similar. The song birds love using the hair for nest lining in Spring. Just be sure to tie them to the post, otherwise foxes will drag them off.

 

[DevonRifle]

I’ve got the head of the first roe buck that I shot and I tanned the hide of the first doe. I used K-Tan and it worked well but softening the hide was an awful job so I’ve not done any more. What does anyone else do?

It’s about four years since and the hide still looks lovely. I took it in November.

 

[VSS]

softening the hide was an awful job so I’ve not done any more. What does anyone else do?

Very coarse sanding disc on an electric drill.

 

[DevonRifle]

And that makes i

Very coarse sanding disc on an electric drill.

And that makes it pliable as well as soft?

 

[Jagare]

Got my first deer I shot tanned at the tannery in buckfast in Devon. Sadly now closed. I remember they rang me to say did I know it had a hole just behind the shoulder