How to Smoke a Deer Hide

[@midnightpintowolf]

I;ve been tanning my deer hides with salt and aluminum sulphate and leaving them as is. But, I have been wanting to smoke some for a long time. This video was really helpful and easy to understand! Thank you!

[@TheTribeOfBenjamin]

Another great tanning video. Your Ivory soap trick works great on softening hides too! Thanks for posting this one. ben

[@canislatrans8285]

I like this- open carry and hide tanning! LOL

[@mike451]

@MrAMMiranda You can find alum at a pool supply store. 1 lb salt: 1 gallon water. 1 lb alum per each deer hide you're tanning. i.e. 2 pounds if you're doing 2 hides, 3 pounds if 3, 1 pound if 1.

[@stayingawake20]

Wow Mike! That's truly awesome! I never knew that.. you have forgotten more about survival then I'll ever know! A true resource!

[@MrBuck1955]

New to your channel and been enjoying all your vido`s passed and present can`t wait for more to come out so I`ll been staying tuned in ,thank you sir for all your great topic and dedication , David Buck Alberta Canada

[@SerJahPhoto]

Great job, man.

[@mike451]

@lunarrn Smoking it makes it more waterproof, and it bug proofs it to a certain extent. It will also make the hide a darker color. I left in in the tanning solution for about 3 days.

[@AMMiranda]

Great video, thanks for putting that up. Can you please repeat here the measure of salt and alum for the tanning part. ANd where might one find alum?

[@mike451]

go to your hardware store and get 3.16 cable and its the same kind they use on air craft. thanks forf asking.

[@mike451]

@waterwalker1001 alum the stuff you put in the swimming pool . have a great day.

[@mike451]

@CountryCollaboraters you could do 2 but i would start fresh on the next ones. thanks for asking . the alum is just 1 shot . mike

[@johnchiz54]

you can, the technical name is buckskin, rawhide is tougher. Mike actually has a video on how to make a pouch on here. If you are wanting to make a quiver I'd personally wrap the quiver with the buckskin then take advantage of the skin's natural binding process by wetting it and allowing to to dry which would change it to a rawhide and be tough. for a shirt you would want to keep it buckskin, if it gets wet you will need to restrech the fabric to return it to buckskin.

[@mike451]

small sking do good in a smokeing house but your right on track you can do it have a great day.

[@dadrules714]

great job fleshing. I've yet to do one w/o putting a hole in it. thanks for the vid

[@mike451]

you sure can make any thing you want to. thanks for watching . mike

[@mike451]

your welcome have a great day . mike

[@rngy33]

the best vid. to cure hide so far! so the soak for the deer hide is 1 lb. salt per 1 gallon water and 0.5 lb. alum? for 3 days?

[@nholder8314]

your videos are so helpful! if i'm using hide for a rug do i really need to go through the smoking process

[@mike451]

@TheTribeOfBenjamin You're welcome! Ivory soap: the soap that floats. The stuff never goes out of style.

[@waterwalker1001]

another great informative video. I just wasn't sure what you said was the last ingredient was in your tanning solution. I know you said it was 1 lb of salt for eveery gallon of water and then ?????. If you could tell me what it was I would greatly appreciate it, Thanks

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

I reckon you could just use binder clips to keep the edges closed instead of stitching. Threading it closed is a lot of work for something that is coming right back off again.

[@crgaillee]

The stitching allows for the edges to absorb the creosote. If you clip it, which is another way to do it, the edges won't get the smoke. I would advise using the stitching process.

[@bowhuntermeadows7841]

can you tell me step by step what u done to completley finish that hide

[@FoxFind]

what kind of cable did you use? I couldn't make it out, although it sounded like you said aircraft cable. I'm not familiar with cables :(

[@mike451]

@cbthrasher Yes, it makes the hide somewhat waterproof. Creosote soaks into the pores of the skin, making it a better barrier to moisture.

[@Mr420rush]

Soo helpful thank you so much for taking the time to make this :-). I have always wanted to tan a deer and my uncle just hapend to hunt a dear couple days ago. Great video thanks a lot: )

[@Nagurski1972]

i didnt see the reply to how to get alum one more question how do you do a hair off hide,,,, if it seems i ask a lot of questions its just i trust you and your a great resource

[@mike451]

@huntingpa12 its really hard to set up small skins for smokeing indians did not smoke small skins . the salt alum will work . have fun keep on tanning . mike

[@shanequacarpenter8055]

Can you make a whole video on what to use for the tanning and how you do it then smoke it ?

[@mike451]

all ready have friend just search my channel thanks

[@lunarrn]

This is excellent. Thank you. So, one pound of salt and one pound of alum per gallon of water? How many days did you let the hide set in solution? Is there anything special to do with the hide once you smoke it?

[@robertfondaw9498]

Mike, I have a hide that I am trying to brain tan. around the edged the hide looks like it is taking the tanning, but in the middle it seems to be more raw. Since I am out of brain, can I use alum to finish this off or do I have to find some more brain to finish it. I went out tonight and added salt to the hide to try and save it. Please advise? thx

[@mike451]

@MrHardPressed Hey! I use a tiny little Canon Powershot point and shoot camera. I just flip it over to video mode. You can get it at Walmart for about 150 dollars depending on the style. Just look for a camera with a video settting.

[@TheWesternking]

could you do this and then make it in to rawhide then make a arrow quiver or pouch or shirt etc?

[@CountryCollaboraters]

excellent. one question, when making the tanning solution, will the solution be able to tan multiple hides at once, or would it take a completely new mixture for each hide? thanks

[@a2zhandi]

how much would one expect to pay for a fresh deer Hide? You have some great videos here. A wealth of information~! Thanks

[@cbthrasher]

Nice video I have been watching all the skin videos. Is the purpose of smoking the hide to make it waterproof?

[@OL8Twho]

Nice softening stick Mike! I'll have to make me one like that. I'm trying my first hide with hair on. It's a calf skin but I wasn't quite sure how to set the hair in so I used brain paste on it once, it didn't really soften enough the first time. Guess I'll brain it again. I'm trying to see if I can get it to work without salt and alum. What do you think?

[@mike451]

@KFairchild1000 No problem! Thanks for watching!! Hope you learned something :)

[@brianjiron7283]

Your recipe for tanning, is 1 lb salk to 1 gallon of water. Is the alum 1 lb total or 1 lb per 1 gallon of water?

[@robertfondaw9498]

Mike, sorry to be so needy but I have another question. I did not wash the hair before tanning the hide. Can I wash the hide after the tanning process and then brush the hair to finish it. If not, what would you suggest?

[@Twisted86]

I'm curious could you make a smoke shack and just smoke both sides at the same time?

[@SuperJdog0]

Hi Mike, Your video was soooo helpful, thanks! I have only one question: In between which steps of the whole process do you apply the oil, brains or whatever moisture you are using??? Thanks!!!

[@huntingpa12]

@BCRachelReed so wall mount or salt alum? JT

[@MrDevlin350]

Fantastic video ! Could you also smoke smaller skins like coyote,fox,squirrel etc ? Thanks for posting !

[@MrHardPressed]

what type of cam corder do you use to make your videos?

[@robertfondaw9498]

Can I smoke an Alum tanned hide to get the brown color I want on my buckskins. If not can you tell me what would be the best method to get a darker color on my skins?

[@seller559]

Could the smoke be used in place of "brain tanning" or a chemical mix? Could you just smoke a hide? Thanks for the videos.

[@mike451]

@ERICWAGNERSLUCID You're very welcome! I am glad you were able to learn something from my video.

[@snowman_5803]

After soaking the hide 3 days in the alum and salt brine, should one rinse the hide out before stretching and softening? Thanks

[@mike451]

@huntingpa12 you got to tan the hide one way or the other or it will rot salt or brains . thanks . have a nice day . mike

[@Mr420rush]

Can you salt the deer hide, then smoke it? Like only do these steps? I am thinking of salting my deer skin for how ever long it needs, stretch it soften it, then smoke it. would that make a good hide? thanks so much! :)

[@mike451]

yes that will work as well or punckey wood to thaqt will not smell

[@SuperGsrider]

good job keep them coming

[@sPIRidonious]

would there be a substitute for alum? more nature provided maybe

[@ZeppelinTheater]

use the dull end of a two handled knife, it has worked great for me

[@thewindithowls944]

Could you use dead grass or leaves ?

[@davidmcmaster1695]

Can you use charcoal cubes for the hot coals ?

[@mike451]

yep

[@tannerreavis5]

You say that you are the Bland County survivor man? I was just wondering if that was Bland County Va, because I'm from Carroll County

[@newstotheworld2012]

use wild cherry punk wood, it turns my hides a pale grey. worked good for my buckskins and I've done about 40 or so...

[@Entropian2012]

what is the minimum amount of time it should be smoked?

[@dons1493]

it would have been nice to see the end product.

[@mike451]

you are welcome have a great day.

[@mike451]

@jacksonhobbs1 Hope you have time to try it! I would love to see the finished product.

[@robert654100]

can you buy it and if you can where can you buy it

[@mike451]

you bet you can thanks for watching.

[@bowhuntermeadows7841]

can you use this way to mak a deer rug

[@The_Heavy_Metal_Kitchen]

Great video, thanks

[@ReidMcInnes1]

do you absolutly have to soak it in salt and water?

[@MrDevlin350]

Using common sense I would assume if I were smoking say a squirrel using maybe a coffee can or something smaller to build the fire in would work ? Also on smaller hides I'm guessing you would keep a closer eye on the smoking process ? Thanks again for the replies ! Any recommendation for videos showing making clothes from buckskin ?

[@IrishKitty1024]

I had a hard time making out what you said, one pound of salt to one gallon of water to one pound of what?

[@homebuldr1199]

how can you get the smoke smell out of the hide once it's been smoked?? I've tanned a deer hide hair on and final step I smoked it, wanting to get the smoke smell out as well as somehow clean the discolored hair where some smoke was coming out around the edges, any ideas???

[@docholiday1806]

Homebuldr1 suck it up

[@Simply_rat99]

Do you wash it after you smoke it

[@menassies3224]

He washed it with alum and salt

[@menassies3224]

And water

[@a1cswiz1611]

I like your videos very much but I have one question. How did the native indians obtain alum? I can't seem to find any information on how indians tanned their hides. I'm only asking because I'm just wondering how would one tan a hide in the wild with no access to salt bags and alum? What did they do?

[@mike451]

yep thats it

[@joji1234ify]

great video thank you

[@mike451]

at the feed store

[@mike451]

hey Brian 1 half puund thanks for watching

[@mike451]

@Mr420rush yes you can have fun

[@powercr250]

Where would one find alum

[@luckisleft]

what is alum?

[@rsswga]

awesome, thanks

[@andrewramirez9428]

very usefull thanks for the video

[@mike451]

@Mr420rush your welcome

[@mcclainschilling6419]

Awesome!

[@TheRambo3131]

What is the red and white sign that says Ramey ... thats my last name

[@mike451]

@WinterWoodlands they have used them around the world for years thats what i ment not just the indians .

[@twitchywombat84]

If you haven't received an answer yet, he's saying alum - the same stuff you use for stopping bleeding and closing up your pores after you shave. Check out Amazon.com and do a search for bulk alum.

[@mike451]

smokeing isnot tanning really but it better than nothing

[@mike451]

357 mag

[@mike451]

@mrsuperterd yes

[@a1cswiz1611]

@BCRachelReed Wow interesting. Thanks for the reply!

[@martyshettlesworth3314]

WHAT WOULD YOU USE IF YOU HAD NO SALT OR ALUM TO PREPARE BEFORE SMOKING THE SKIN ?

[@LupusMechanicus]

+Marty Shettlesworth BRAINS!!

[@martyshettlesworth3314]

O.K . THANKS

[@robertbrandywine]

+Marty Shettlesworth Yeah, the Indians had no salt or alum. They made a soup out of brains and spread it on the hide. I've read they didn't know about tannic acid either, and that's one reason they smoked the hides.

[@deborahstipdonk9180]

You can use shaved Ivory Soap (1 bar) and some people up here use downy fabric softener. Others use spinal cords, rotten.

[@AMMiranda]

@BCRachelReed thank you kindly.

[@mike451]

yeppers

[@mike451]

@cDog8766 no it dont

[@Twisted86]

Understood, however in such a long-term survival you could build a simple tree/mud house to smoke as well for smaller animals. I'm looking to learn tanning and I have rabbit pelts but sadly no real videos out there so I use deer videos to learn lol. If you got a moment mind if I PM you what my process is to see if I'm on the right track? Either case thank you for your videos :)

[@mike451]

yes you can thats how big dealers do it but im into survival and the way the indians do it thanks .

[@Nagurski1972]

what if you do not have salt, i know you can use the brain but how do you use it, i read a post about brain tanning but it said to refridgerate it i know indians didnt have refridges, also can you do a video on obtaining salt in wild, i know you can use coltsfoot, boil hickory root, and salt water but what if those are not around,,, i love your videos brother

[@mike451]

@stayingawake20 thanks buddy havea great day . mike

[@a1cswiz1611]

@RangerSynthios thanks