How to Smoke Deer Hides: Skills Training / Wild Abundance

[@stuffbywoody5497]

The method I have used is a smoking pit with a tunnel that comes out under an igloo or tipi shaped frame with the hides draped all over it. It has worked quite well for me.

[@WildAbundance]

That sounds great!

[@hereticsaint100]

I find digging a 2-3ft pit and putting green branches over the top like a grate works pretty well. You have to watch the embers/coals to make sure they don't flare up. You also have to move the hide around so all the bits get smoked. Your way is pretty neat.

[@WildAbundance]

Sounds great!

[@mittenstatebushcraft6381]

Justin Sage Williams suggested I check out your channel. Looks like I can learn a ton here!!

[@WildAbundance]

Happy to share our knowledge with you!

[@jerryhuntjj2885]

So glad I found your channel. Such helpful information:)

[@williamkeefer7545]

A wonderful video respect.

[@timothylongmore7325]

this is almost exactly how I did my hides today! Except it was about 15 degrees here.

[@TheBlackSheepDiaries]

Great video! I like the idea of adding a guitar to the scene. Anybody ever tell you you look a lil like Amy shumer? Just got my 1st deer, got it skinned and quartered, now just want to save the hide. Thanks.

[@jeansummer4621]

I love how you spoke. Its great! I am thinking of doing this to road kill. So many animals dont get cared for by others have a bit of time to take them off the road before they become the black circles of gummy tar material. I was thinking: - Doing a double boil over coals. Having cedar boiled juice inside. So as it dvapouratea over coals in sateraites skin. Cedars an oily substance. - Using electrisity. Heating hecory or other smell nice woods turning them into smoke not flame. As a smoker is made. These can be made using a light switch power, cord, stove top burner. * Adding a burn proof plate then wood. Withen a natural nice smelling barrel, makes a smoker for meats! - double boiling maple tree sape into skin. Would those ideas of mosture with a cedar essentail oil water or sugars from sap. Add positively to the skins moveability after?

[@WildAbundance]

Wow, Very interesting idea, but sounds like a lot of extra work. Let us know how it turns out if you try it out!

[@jeansummer4621]

@@WildAbundance ok. It works as a form on actual living to. Ma0le syrup is better in its watered down form from the original source. Rather then its much processed guey surup form found in stores. The idea of hecory on a electric burner is something ive been apart of as in smoked meats to eat. Cooking over fire gives meat a different flavor. So i was just putting the living form into a new form of dead skin to live on a go. Wondering if you experts thought of it in your doing.

[@iantewksbury6681]

Hi thanks for your video! It looks like the bucket you used was galvanized possibly? Is there any concern for it imparting zinc etc into the buckskin or fur when using it for smoking? I am used to smoking my hides with a pit but live in a rental so bucket seems to be the best option currently. Thanks so much!

[@intotheforge3954]

Any suggestions for doing something like this with like a large cow or buffalo

[@BAleiHi]

Do you have a link to the video describing the preparation of the hide and the skirt for smoking?

[@WildAbundance]

Hey there, I don't think that's on youtube but the full online hide tanning course is currently available with a 20% discount (for first 20 people to sign up I think, so might be still available, we just opened for registration)-- use code BUCKSKIN20 at wildabundance.mykajabi.com/hide-tanning-course-offer

[@4.23.21]

Could you explain how you prepared the hide before hanging it to smoke

[@WildAbundance]

We have a lot more information in our online course available here: wildabundance.mykajabi.com/hide-tanning-course-offer

[@JohnToney-b2x]

Why is there so many huge holes in the hide?

[@EstarMM]

I have brained my hide, but made the mistake of washing the brains off. now the hide is wet, can I smoke the hide to dry it (its winter) and then add brains again later if need be?

[@svetlanachembrovich7133]

How long do you smoke it for? I suppose it depends on a hide... but what is the end point - is it color? Is it temperature? That particular hide - how long was it smoked for?

[@adamwahrheit1246]

For like 30min to 1 hour if its a deer. You want a gold color.

[@christopherfisher128]

Ok, old video I know, but can you use some of the resins and woods they make incense from to scent the hide?

[@WildAbundance]

We haven't done that but sounds worth trying if you want scented hides-- go for it and let us know how it turns out!

[@christopherfisher128]

@@WildAbundance I've done it with different woods but not with actual "scents" results depend on type, kind etc. Currently trying to gather enough to do sandal wood. It's definitely a niche item but a shirt that has a permanent "air" of sandal wood does appeal to me. Cheers

[@danfall1003]

I have a small hide that dried before fleshing. The birds were fleshing it well, but an opposum came and chewed a couple holes and I brought it in and let it dry for any chance of rabies. Can I still use the hide safely if I soak it and then flesh it?

[@timothylongmore7325]

That's how i fleshed a cow hide. I wouldn't recommend it though. They do a crap job.

[@chetmcdonald]

Im a little new to smoke tanning but wouldnt you smoke it with the skin side to the inside of the smoker? Dont you want to get the smoke on the flesh part to preserve it? I use tanning oil without smoking but Im very interested in smoke tanning. Nice video BTW

[@timothylongmore7325]

You should do both sides. Just turn it inside out after you get the desired color.

[@amyl.212]

i'm trying to do this with raccoon hides, but i live in a very urban area. my neighbors are close (though we do have a high privacy fence) and my yard is small. could i work out something similar ot this using a short grill or fire pit instead of building a campfire? also, how did you create the hide tube and skirt?

[@WildAbundance]

I suspect a short grill or fire pit would work ok for you-- good luck! i created thehide tube and skirt by sewing it out of canvas.

[@777Thebear]

How long does it take for the smoke smell to dissipate.

[@WildAbundance]

to me, it always smells faintly smoky, but that's part of the charm! It's not super strong though

[@777Thebear]

@@WildAbundance I don't mind the smoke smell by my wife does. I just smoked my first egg tanned rabbit and sheep hides. They turned out great but my wife won't let them in the house because it smells too s smokey.

[@joshuasparks6563]

Really enjoyed your video, but I have a question. Exactly, how high were you guys while making this? Lol. No judgment, just an observation. 😂 Keep up the good work for all of us foragers!

[@WildAbundance]

Not high at all!

[@cliffordhelms4765]

Yeahhhhhh i should've eatched this before hand my hide caught on fire

[@archangel20031]

So he made himself a dress with a skirt?

[@alkeryn1700]

i wonder how primitive humans figured that out lol.

[@WildAbundance]

A lot of trial and error! 😆

[@alkeryn1700]

@@WildAbundance Oh deer !