DIY hide tanning

[bowfishin fool]

I
I'd like to see from a taxidermist the process they use to split lips, ears, tails, nose, etc... This is still a mystery to me. I, and I am sure many others posting on this thread, would love to have the input of a pro on how to do this.

me too

[Reaper]

awesome thread, I've had a kitty in my freezer for almost a year now, can't wait to see how this works out, looking forward to trying your method....keep the post coming

[stickflinger7]

awesome info

[bowhunter08]

Great Info. Thanks, look forward to the rest of the process.

[Big Brass]

Here is today's progress. Like I said earlier I am using Van Dykes Lutan F Tanning Kit.


The hide has been salted for 24 hours. It is time to put it into the pickling solution where it will stary for the next 72 hours. I started by putting about 4 gallons of water into a bucket. It is easier for me to guesstimate 4 gallons in the bucket vs the rubbermaid tub.


The instructions with the Lutan kit call for 1 lb of salt and 0.5 ounces of Saftee Acid per gallon of water.


So I added 4 lbs of salt and 2 ounces of Saftee Acid to the water and mixed it up well. Be careful with the acid and use goggles to keep it out of your eyes.

[Big Brass]

The instructions say the pH of the pickling solution should be about 1.5-2. I dipped a strip.


And verified my pH was good and acidic.


Now that the pickle is mixed, I add one salted bunny hide,


And one salted bobcat hide.


Interesting observation - bunny hides float and bobcat hides sink.


The hides need to pickle for 72 hours. I will take them out Saturday afternoon and scrape them to thin the hides some and remove a little more of the membrane from the skin. Then they will go back into the pickle until this time Sunday afternoon. I will go out a few times between now and then and give the pickle a stir. I'll update Saturday with some pics of thinning the hides.

[rchisum]

hurry!!! i want to see the rest

[txkid12]

cant wait to see how it turns out

[trozy55]

I will defiantly be keeping up with this as I too have a few hides that need to be tanned.
cool thread keep up the good work!

[GWHunter]

Sweet...I have always wanted to do this this will help!!

[cshall999]

AAHHHH!!!! The suspense is killing me....

[kellyg]

Good thread!

[hawkusmc]

Bravo! Great work.

[one66stang]

marked so I dont forget it

[HomeSick]

Thanks for documenting this process. I have heard about the Lutan-F but never seen it in action. Great thread!