How to tan a deer hide on a budget (easy way)

Updated detailed video here:
• How to tan a deer hide...
Have you ever harvested a deer or an animal and wanted to tan it? Don't want to flesh it with a knife? Here a way how to flesh a deer hide with a pressure washer (an easy way) and used conventional tanning materials that cost less than $40.
Supplies / tools needed
Pressure washer
Non Iodized Salt
White Vinegar
Chip Brushes
Tanning formula
Tanning Oil
And patience. It takes a little while to flesh. A day or two to pickle. Depending on ambient temperature where the tan is applied it could take a few days for the tan to dry. If you want to stretch the leather that too may take a few days. Enjoy your new found primitive skill!
0:00 Intro
0:13 Supply list
0:31 Fleshing the hide with pressure washer
0:54 Salting the hide
1:59 Pickling the hide
2:30 Applying tanning formula
3:32 Applying leather oil
4:13 Working the hide soft
4:46 Cost to tan the hide

[@chaddmorris2553]

Just tried this process last year and it turned out awesome! Plan on doing a few more this year.

[@DanielGuillette]

Glad to hear, thanks for sharing your success here.

[@gageshippy2256]

@@DanielGuillette did you put two coats of the tanning formula on when you added the Mackenzie oil?

[@gageshippy2256]

@@DanielGuillette what did you do for the stretching process?

[@DanielGuillette]

@@gageshippy2256 stretched out with a rame and rope, heres an updated video with that process timestamped in it kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qVon2LgciNn6M

[@DanielGuillette]

@@gageshippy2256 one coat tan formula. When stretching I used the leather oil after the tan dried, the oil helps soften the hide to help work it soft.

[@clinte9897]

Great video, only thing to mention is to make sure that people use non iodine salt. And most recommend warm water when pickling to help the salt to dissolve faster. Then after pickling to wash in baking soda, 1tbl spoon to gallon of water to neutralize the acid bath. Then wash in a clean bucket with dawn to help degrease hide. Then alow to dry some and continue with tanning directions depending on manufacturer you go with. But looks like your hide turned out great. Good job!

[@DanielGuillette]

Valid points, thank you.

[@jonathannay8544]

I think this was the best, and easiest to follow instructional. Thank you

[@DanielGuillette]

@Jonathan Nay thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

[@sotxoutdoors]

Grear video I'm gonna have to try that next year! The fleshing with a power washer is genius!👍

[@DanielGuillette]

Thanks man! Yeah the pressure washer worked excellent. Wanted to get some practice in in case I ever get a chance to hunt axis, an axis rug is on the bucket list.

[@benkrauz725]

Absolutely genius! Can't believe I didn't think of ir see this years ago! I have one in the fridge right now I will be trying this tomorrow!

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you, I’m glad the video helps!

[@aximila123]

Looking to start hunting soon, complete newcomer and was curious how the tanning process worked. Im blown away how doable this is, Im hyped to try for myself. Thanks for the incredibly informative and succinct video

[@DanielGuillette]

Glad I was able to help. Good luck this season!

[@nmysights0185]

Did my first hide with this method late last year and it turned out great. I've got that hide hanging on the wall behind me. I've got another hide that I've been sitting on for a couple of months waiting for some decent weather. Finally gonna start fleshing it today. Hopefully I can get this one a bit softer.

[@ReelLadyAdventures]

I’ve always wondered how to do that! Maple deer syrup 😂🤣

[@DanielGuillette]

Thanks, yeah it’s not as hard as it looks. And yeah my boy loves maple syrup!

[@mrnott3178]

Thanks for the video, I like the quick and easy technique, with a quality finished product. Awesome 🤘

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you 👍

[@stevenquintanillaXYZ]

Thanks for putting this together! Been looking at tanning my first hide, and this helps a ton!

[@joshuawhitmire1026]

Thank you so much for this video! Working on my son's doe hide right now!

[@DanielGuillette]

Glad to hear, congrats little man!

[@OverlandPNW]

Great how to video! There is something satisfying about a DIY hide tanning!

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you! Yeah I’m very happy with the final product.

[@MichaelJohnson-ux7pe]

Have to say first time seeing someone using a pressure washer nicely done and have to say good job

[@jw04429]

thanks for a being concise and too the point, a great how too, thanks a lot !

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you!

[@PunkkiTee]

I'm so excited to do this!!!

[@DanielGuillette]

Glad I could help!

[@zhekak9219]

Wow thank you for the simplicity!!!!! Thank you once again!

[@DanielGuillette]

You are so welcome!

[@outsidersmotorclub]

I took my first deer ever this year. It was such a pain to flesh it myself (I used a machete because that's all I had available) and could not for the life of me find a tanner close to me that did hair on tanning for just capes. Plenty would say yeah we will do it for taxidermy purposes and mount it for you but not just a cape. Finally found one about 4.5hrs away and got it dropped off driving by for Thanksgiving. I decided this time since it was my first deer to get it professionally done, but for any future racoons, coyote, or deer I am going to try this myself just because you made it seems so doable and easy (with the extra tip of using a pressure washer). And of course the added benefit of not paying tannery $$$.

[@DanielGuillette]

Glad I could help point out how to get a hide tanned easily, the pressure washer works magic!

[@codfather269]

After the salting and pickling process how do you go about cleaning off the hide? Do you just rinse it off with a hose?

[@DanielGuillette]

@Amey Brothers Outdoors Yes after pickling rinse. Let it dry a few hours, then apply the tanning solution.

[@nityanarayan5735]

Thank you😊

[@ryansutherland4298]

How do you go about drying off the hide after it’s soaked in the pickle? Here in Ontario it’s below freezing a lot of the time and I’m unsure if it would dry on its own. Also, did you wash or degrease after picking? My tanning formula suggests that the hide should be semi dry when tanning. Also, a note for metric users a USG is slightly more than a CADG, not enough where I think it would be an issue but we will see.

[@DanielGuillette]

If possible let it drip dry in a warmer area, it was in the 40s when I tanned mine. Do you have a cellar maybe try that. There’s no need to wash and degrease deer before tanning, they aren’t oily like raccoons.

[@ryansutherland4298]

@@DanielGuillette ah ok! Ill let you know how it goes, I’ve been reading snd it seems like once the hide is done pickling it should be neutralized using baking soda and water. I don’t believe you did this in the video but everything worked out fine?

[@DanielGuillette]

Right I didn’t neutralize after, but if the product your using suggests to neutralize I would.

[@chazmartin8048]

I finally started processing my hide yesterday, that pressure washer technique worked like a charm. Glad i didnt have to buy a 40 doller fleshing knife lol

[@DanielGuillette]

@Chaz Martin haha! Thanks for letting me know how this video has helped, let me know how the rest of the process goes!

[@chazmartin8048]

@@DanielGuillette no problem mann, ill definitely let you know how the rest goess, currently salting the hide right now, thanks for the helpful video👍

[@chazmartin8048]

​@@DanielGuillette hey i know this is a year later but the whole process worked amazingly, came back to this video because i needed a refresher for this next hide im working on

[@DanielGuillette]

That’s great to hear, i recently had made a longer detailed tanning video kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qVon2LgciNn6M

[@wvwoodsman1718]

Looks pretty good

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you sir!

[@fiveseas5773]

Good video this really helped me tan my deer

[@DanielGuillette]

@fiveseas5 Glad to hear, happy how it turned out?

[@paulvonhagen6102]

Great video!

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you sir!

[@paulvonhagen6102]

@@DanielGuillette I am tanning a deer hide right now

[@coreyreynolds2976]

Great video! I was wondering, do you think the same process would work for smaller game (rabbits, squirrels, etc.)? I can't think of any reason it wouldn't, but I am new to tanning.

[@DanielGuillette]

@Corey Reynolds yes accept pressure washing. They don’t have thicker hide like a deer, and tend skinning one you don’t tend to leave flesh on the hide as you would with deer.

[@ibrahimbialy]

all skins may be tanned by salting, but when you tan a thick hide (like those of buffaloes which are 6-8 cm thick), you need to add a thick layer of salt so it (sock-drys) the hide before it undergoes putrefaction. and you must stretch the tan over a big tanning rack (DIY) before salting, to get the most of its area. the result would be amazing rigid flat piece of tanned hide, you can make it tender but rolling it any many directions. thank you

[@rorynelson7548]

Can a Buffalo hide be done the same way? Obviously would need more of the ingredients, but is it the same process?

[@michaelbosisto6259]

Wow, so simple. I’ve always been intimidated by the process, but this looks painless. So sad because I’ve shot numerous deer and elk that have had amazing coats.

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you. Really the hardest part is after then tanning is done, working the hide to soften it up. Next year if you get deer or elk don’t be afraid to freeze the hide and give tanning a try!

[@PunkkiTee]

How long does it take to work the hide???

[@DanielGuillette]

@@PunkkiTee once out of the freezer and defrosted, takes maybe 30 minutes to flesh with pressure washer. Salting doesn’t take long to do but leave it for 1-2 days. Then another 1-2 days in pickle. It took about 5 days for the tan formula to dry out. At least a week to 10 days start to finish.

[@PunkkiTee]

If I have a fresh kill... is it imperative to freeze? Sorry for the stupid question... my husband has been a hunter for a very long time.. I want to impress him with tanning some of our upcoming deer lol

[@PunkkiTee]

Hes never tanned them.. so im trying to surprise him with my soon to be knowledge

[@OutdoorExperiences]

Super cool new sub here!

[@adamsobol5753]

After pickling and applying tanning formula, do you leave it in the sun to dry? Or how do you go about it?

[@DanielGuillette]

After applying tanning formula I let it dry about a week inside my garage.

[@bellabergen963]

what about neutralizing? dont you leave it in a baking soda bath for a few minutes to neutralize the acid from vinegar? i heard otherwise it causes something called acid rot but i dont know, im new to this stuff and dont know much. ive been looking for every resource i can find on vinegar pickling since i really like how natural it is.

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes after pickle you can neutralize it. The recipe is 1 tsp baking soda per gallon of water for about 15 min then rinse before tanning.

[@n80shutterbug]

Great short video that shows all the steps. Curious though, what does the pickling part of the process accomplish? I've got the orange bottle of tanning oil coming but it doesn't look like they call for vinegar.

[@DanielGuillette]

They probably suggest to salt and not pickle. Picking helps in many ways preserving the skin, ensuring the fur doesn’t fall off. Some parts of the skin are not tannable and pickling helps with that as well as it’s simply a a in the tanning process. I use McKenzie tan product because it works well, and haven’t had the greatest results from the orange bottle tan formula.

[@benkingston8792]

I started the process! The pressure washer trick was the only reason I’m trying this lol I saw it and knew I had to try it. Already have it pickling. Hoping it turns out good

[@DanielGuillette]

Haha I’m glad the pressure washer inspired you! You got this, it’s gonna come out great!

[@newvegasify1]

Well how did it turn out?

[@lifeinthesaddle7002]

how did it turn out?

[@notasheep12]

Can I take a fresh deer hide and put salt on it and put it in the freezer until I have time to flesh it?

[@coltonkessler8073]

Great video! One question about the tan solution and oil, do you use one entire bottle of each for the process or does each bottle have enough to be used more than one hide?

[@DanielGuillette]

@Colton Kessler the kit I used is enough tan for a deer, I didn’t use the whole bottle of softening oil. If you want a bottle big enough to tan multiple I would check on McKenzie’s website, they sell it by the gallon.

[@andresc1220]

@daniel - is the result a soft hide? didnt want it to be really "crispy" as was hoping to make it into a pillow.

[@DanielGuillette]

No but yes. After the tan formula dries you’ll have to work it- stretch it and it’ll soften. Work it over a table edge fur side up.

[@danieleckart3103]

Got my first bucks hide in a pickle bath now wondering if I have to neutralize the hide with a base like baking soda to prevent hair slippage?

[@DanielGuillette]

I haven’t had any slippage doing it that way. But best practice is to neutralize. Recipe is 1 tsp baking soda per gallon of water. Soak for 15 min, rinse. Then once you get it dry enough, apply tan formula.

[@garrettgifford9709]

Do you let the hide dry out in the bucket for a day? How dry does it actually get before pickling?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes after fleshing I'll salt the hide and let it dry a good day or two. It'll have a small about of drainage, so take that out during that time. After a day the hide should be quite dry and the towel will wick much of the moisture.

[@alyxengrae6462]

can you reuse the pickling solution? and if so, how many times?

[@DanielGuillette]

@Lauren Salley I’m not sure how many times this style pickle can reused. Perhaps freeze multiple hides and pickle a bunch all at once. Commercial tanneries do reuse their pickle but they use advanced tools to check salinity and strips for the pH. This pickle costs $3-5 versus buying a $40 salinometer to be able to reuse.

[@kavinb7255]

Is the pickling part a crucial part to it or will it be fine if i dont pickle it. and do i need the tanning kit or can i just skip the tanning kit part ?

[@clinte9897]

I’d definitely pickle it.

[@isaacashbrook269]

Would you recommend stapling the edges down while it soaks the tanning formula up and shrinks? I’ve had a hide in the freezer for a few weeks but I think I’m ready to start the process.

[@DanielGuillette]

Awesome. That would work, nails or staples, nails are less holes though. You will have to keep pulling to add more tension to stretch.

[@isaacashbrook269]

@@DanielGuillette thank you! when in the process should I wash the hide? Should I do it multiple times throughout the process? I’m going to try the pressure washer trick so I could use that as an opportunity to rinse out some gunk from the fur while it’s already wet, but should I also rinse after pickling so it doesn’t end up smelling like vinegar?

[@DanielGuillette]

@@isaacashbrook269 if you want fur on, don’t pressure wash that side. Pressure wash to flesh. Rinse with a regular garden hose before salt. After salt before picking. And rinse after pickle.

[@grovercleavland2698]

Thanks for this video! I’ve always wanted to learn how to do this myself. I hate thinking about all the pelts that have been wasted when my family and I go hunting. I just have one question. Let’s say you go hunting with some buddies for a few days and you shoot a deer early in the hunt and don’t have access to any of these materials. What is a good way to preserve the skin for the time being? Do you just toss it in an ice box? Or is there a better way to do it?

[@DanielGuillette]

Fold it in half length wise like a hot dog skin to skin. Roll it up. Put it in a trash bag and put it in the freezer immediately. In the freezer it could last a long while.

[@grovercleavland2698]

@@DanielGuillette thanks for the advice. I might have to improvise on the freezer though, I don’t think they will let me use it to preserve deer skins.

[@MattPlaysRs]

Is the odor bad when you use the tanning formula and oil? Would like to do this indoors, don't have a garage

[@DanielGuillette]

Once the hides been fleshed and pickled the hide will have more of a vinegar smell. Rinse it and you could let it drip dry a bit in the bathroom over the tub. Then apply McKenzie or Trappers hide tan formula in the bathroom. Bathroom would be best, you can turn the vent on if your overwhelmed with any smell. To me the smell is not strong at all, smells like a apple cider.

[@MattPlaysRs]

@@DanielGuillette Thank you!

[@aceflame7738]

I have two questions about this method because I want to try and use it for a deer pelt I have! :D one, do you scrape the salt off of the hide when you pickle it? And two, how do you know if you have enough salt on the hide? Thanks!!

[@DanielGuillette]

In salting process you’ll want about 1/4” deep layer of salt or so. Then fold it skin to skin and wrap in a bath towel. Let it sit overnight then rinse before pickle. I’ve made a newer video with more details if that helps kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qVon2LgciNn6M

[@frankmancina22]

Great video. Thanks. 🤙🏾

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you

[@frankmancina22]

@@DanielGuillette After pickling. Did you just rinse it with water?

[@airsoftinfoguy]

After you salt the hide and leave it in the bucket, do you scrape off the salt before pickling it?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yeah, drain out fluid as it salted. Then scrape the hide before picking. Even rinsing and letting it dry 10-20 minutes before putting in the pickle is fine if you don’t like scraping, just try to catch the salt when scraping to not make a mess.

[@melissadauster4113]

What is the name of the tanning solution and where you bought it from. Thank you. Very informative video.

[@DanielGuillette]

McKenzie Tan. I ordered from McKenzie’s website, they are a taxidermy supply company.

[@child_of_god_4836]

Will it be soft? Like a blanket. I’m new to this but I’ve seen hide that are super soft with the fur on them!

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes it will be soft if you work the hide. After the tan dries, that’s when you work the hide. It’ll be dark in places and as you pull it, stretch it’ll turn whiter in color. Also, you can put tan side down over a piece of wood, like the edge of a table, a tree or a post, and pull back and forth to stretch and soften up the fibers after it’s tanned/ dry. It’s not easy to soften it up, but the more it’s worked the softer it’ll become.

[@child_of_god_4836]

@@DanielGuillette thank you!

[@100pureithmideyesurma8]

After the pickling process, what do you do to dry the hide, and what it the purpose of the tanning process, Thank You!

[@DanielGuillette]

Air dry until it stops dripping, can use a bath towel as well. The purpose of tanning is to preserve the hide of an animal.

[@100pureithmideyesurma8]

Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it, I used the pressure washing method, and it made so clean, unlike any other technique, Thank You!

[@moparbrothersracing8344]

So the 50/50 vinegar and water with 2lbs of salt total for 5 gal? About to do a hide and making sure I got it right lol.

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes but more salt. One gallon water, one gallon vinegar and one pound non iodized salt. Adjust the volume needed, 5 gallons total might be too much in a 5 gallon bucket especially once you put the hide in

[@wendyvanwyck9786]

Great video-thank you! After the total process is done how do you get the vinegar smell out of the fur?

[@DanielGuillette]

It’ll go away after a while, kinda like that new car smell.

[@wendyvanwyck9786]

@@DanielGuillette Thank you! I did my first hide this year. So exciting and asking friends to supply me with more.

[@DanielGuillette]

@@wendyvanwyck9786 did you use the method I shared? Happy with it?

[@wendyvanwyck9786]

@@DanielGuillette yes I did and will keep with it. Works great 👍

[@danbrubacher2195]

Would it matter if I used pickling salt vs the non iodized salt?

[@DanielGuillette]

No, they are the same thing.

[@tigercrewman8156]

So does stretching the hide only flatten it? Also, do you need to do oil too or is it optional?

[@DanielGuillette]

It will help it dry evenly and help it so it can lay flat. If you want it soft and flexible, once the tan is dry you’ll have to stretch it with your hands, work it over a table edge.

[@DrJockyll]

Is there something I can do to help the process, if It's a couple of days before I can get the hide home from my hunt? Thanks for the video!

[@DanielGuillette]

If the hide has a lot of ticks I’d freeze it right away. Put the flesh against flesh before freezing. Freeze 4-5 days then thaw, then begin fleshing and follow the process in the video. Yeah you could salt before pressure washing. But it’s not necessary until after the hide has been fleshed.

[@DrJockyll]

@@DanielGuillette thanks!

[@andresc1220]

Hi @daniel - could you provide a link to the tanning formula and leather oil you used?

[@andresc1220]

@daniel - the kit if possible, thanks!

[@DanielGuillette]

@@andresc1220 www.mckenziesp.com/mobile/DSKD-P18357.aspx Or a.co/d/8sDe9cy

[@LouiseAdie-zm2jf]

I won't be purchasing a power washer, how else should this be accomplished? Also, I probably won't get a tanning kit. What are the elements and can they be purchased separately? Thank you.

[@DanielGuillette]

You'll need to flesh it. Tools needed would be a fleshing knife and a fleshing beam. Mckenzie Tan can be bought in various sizes, a pint ought to be enough.

[@krustykarissa8141]

How would you go about removing the hair from the skin? I just want the hide only, could one pressure wash that off as well or would you have to shave it off some how lol

[@DanielGuillette]

Im not sure exactly, but you’d want to flesh it with a pressure washer and pickle to start. Not sure what to use to soften the fur, but it can’t be that complicated. Then follow same steps to tan on fleshed side.

[@chancebennett6186]

I've used wood ash lye to remove the fur. Look up the bucking process using wood ash

[@aceflame7738]

It might be tedious, but you can put your hide in boiling hot water and keep it in there until the water cools down. Then you can scrape off all of the hair using a knife or some other tool

[@clicklac]

After Pickling can you wash the hid using dawn dish soap? Also, can i let the hid hang in my garage for a day to dry before applying tanning solution? Thanks for making the video i just got my McKenzie tanning solution.

[@DanielGuillette]

No, but I would neutralize with 1 oz baking soda per gallon water. Let it drip dry. Stretch it out, then apply tan.

[@StaySea777]

Thanka for this video! I have a 17 year of girl who is tanning her first piece! How do you work the hide after applying the oil? Thanks in advance!!

[@DanielGuillette]

Just now noticing this comment...Work tanned side down over a table edge. Pulling it over the edge over time will soften the hide. Sanding it will make it have a suede texture and can help thin areas where it is thicker if its sanded more.

[@MrAllegiant1]

could you use a sprayer to dispense the taking fluids?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yeah you could, but I prefer to brush it in after it’s dispensed.

[@urbanhomesteadingchannel1813]

Looks pretty straight forward. I do have a question though. How do you perform the stretching technique?

[@DanielGuillette]

Either plywood and nails or build a frame and rope to stretch. Once it’s dry if you want to work it soft, rub skin side (not fur) against a table edge, or pull. You’ll see it kinda ‘whiten up’ as you work it.

[@urbanhomesteadingchannel1813]

@@DanielGuillette thank you 😊

[@jacksonwilhelm2420]

what happens when you get it wet? Ive tanned things before, but whenever i get my tans wet they get a slick fleshy feeling, but they dry into quality leather again.. why is that?

[@DanielGuillette]

I’m not sure why it does that, but I do know what you mean. If it gets wet it’ll eventually dry out, or even put a fan out to help dry and maybe heat if it’s cool.

[@brandonhart5015]

I recently got a deer and there aren’t any taxidermists around me so I was thinking of doing it myself. I was told to put it in the freezer. How long can it stay in the freezer?

[@DanielGuillette]

@Brandon Hart if you freeze wrapped in a few 3 mil trash bags it could last a good year in the freezer, one I know has had received frozen hides much older without issues. Just as long as it's not getting freezer burnt it will be okay.

[@brandonhart5015]

@@DanielGuillette Thanks!

[@viosiax5933]

Good video but how long did you let it set in the salt towel? Before you put it in the bucket.

[@DanielGuillette]

Let the hide salt overnight, so about 12 hours. Then rinse, then pickle.

[@viosiax5933]

@@DanielGuillette awesome thank you!

[@Hunter-uy5qs]

Awesome informative video 👍, I shot a big doe and love to tan the hide. Just wondering, after rinsing the hide from the salt solution, do you let it dry fully (hairs and the skin 100% dry) to apply the tanning oils? Thanks

[@DanielGuillette]

Good question. Best practice after pickling is to neutralize the hide in a solution with a ratio of 1 tsp of baking soda per 1 gal water. Rinse. Then dry with towel, that should be dry enough to apply tanning formula.

[@Hunter-uy5qs]

@@DanielGuillette Thank you for replying to my comment, I will follow your instructions. Thank you and wish you and your son an amazing season, enjoy your time with him, can't wait for my son to be his age so I can take him out with me 👍

[@alexl7949]

Excellent news. Maybe you can tell me ... What vinegar concentration was that? Also, when you dried it after pickling, did you stretch it over anything?

[@DanielGuillette]

At around 2:03 I show the pickle recipe, 1 gallon water, 1 gallon of white vinegar, and two pounds of salt. White vinegar is what you need and is quite cheap for a gallon. After picking, just let it drip dry, not dry out. Yes you do want to stretch out the hide while the tan formula is working, and after the tan has set in, if you don’t want a hard lay flat hide, stretch it by hand over a table edge tan down, don’t run the fur against the table edge.

[@alexl7949]

@@DanielGuillette Sorry. I appreciate the response and I can see where I was a little misleading with my question. I'm trying to clarify if you are adding 100% vinegar in the gallon? Here i can only find 6% vinegar by volume. I hope that makes sense.

[@DanielGuillette]

@@alexl7949 okay now I can help...the product I used is 5% by volume, so your 6% will work fine, but dilute it it like 4 liters vinegar with 4 liters water.

[@johnbell5396]

Thanks for the video. Will this process keep the hair on good? I’m wanting to process a deer pelt I got for tying flies Thanks!

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes it’ll keep the hair on good

[@johnbell5396]

@@DanielGuillette thanks so much!

[@willrisinger8784]

Very helpful thank you does this work for all Animals I assume it does just wondering???

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes, however wouldn’t recommend a pressure washing to flesh small game, use a fleshing beam and fleshing knife.

[@TanB11]

After it is clean and sat in salt and vinegar do you have to tan it? Or can I just keep it white.

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes it needs tan to preserve the hide. If you don’t apply any oil after tanning it’ll stay whiter. But if you want it to be a soft flexible tanned hide oil helps bit does yellow it.

[@twowheelfarm9024]

hell yes!

[@bruceclaudio4320]

Quick question. You said you let everything sit over night and or 24 in the video. In you description you said it may take 48 hours. I started salting yesterday, what can I look for to tell if it good? Loved the video, and it has really helped out

[@DanielGuillette]

Which step are you asking about?

[@bruceclaudio4320]

With pickling/ tanning. Both of them in video you said let sit for a day. But description you said day or two. So what should I be looking for to know if it’s good to continue

[@bruceclaudio4320]

@@DanielGuillette I went ahead and started tanning, one hide is starting to dry and look like a hide should but the other one just looks wet and brown

[@user-dr2ok4qh2d]

Do you have a link for the deer skin tanning kit? I cant seem to find it online.

[@DanielGuillette]

McKenzie’s website www.mckenzietaxidermy.com/mobile/DSKD-P18357.aspx

[@amyl.212]

is this method suitable for hides you plan to use for making garments such as coats, hats, etc?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes, it is suitable, but it's a lot of work to make the tan soft. You may want to look up another tan formula other than McKenzie which I used.

[@raffiehalajian4873]

How long did you let it dry for after the pickling?

[@DanielGuillette]

After pickling rinse the hide, and let it dry where it’s not dripping then go ahead and apply the tanning formula.

[@markkoukl8804]

Hi Daniel, great video. My deer hide has been pickled according to your instructions but the hide is pretty dirty (not the hair side). Yours looks really clean. Can I clean mine after the tanning or should it do it before? And how should I clean it? Mark

[@DanielGuillette]

Did you flesh before picking?

[@markkoukl8804]

@@DanielGuillette Yes, it has been fleshed by using your washer technique and pickled.

[@markkoukl8804]

Yes, it was pressure washed according to the video but got dirty handling it afterwards.

[@DanielGuillette]

@@markkoukl8804 hmm, yes I’d rinse it off to clean it. Pressure wash if needed. Then let it drip dry or dry it out with a towel on the flesh side. Then stretch it out and apply the tan formula.

[@markkoukl8804]

Thank you.

[@pinsanoutdoors2221]

Great video Daniel!! How is the hide looking? I want to start doing it on a recent harvest but I'm nervous about the hair falling out.

[@DanielGuillette]

Thank you! I had no hair fall out at all. Just be sure to freeze the hide if you don’t start the tan process anytime soon.

[@pinsanoutdoors2221]

@@DanielGuillette awesome!! Thank you for the quick reply!!

[@cumgoat]

@@DanielGuillette no hair fall out or all of it fell out?

[@DanielGuillette]

@@cumgoat it’s tanned with fur on. No fur has fallen out.

[@cumgoat]

@@DanielGuillette awesome. Just got mine all fleshed out I'll give your method a try. Any new tips ?

[@gump7923]

Dude, this tutorial is amazing! Will this work with cow hide?

[@DanielGuillette]

It would definitely work, however you’d need to multiply the amount pickle and get maybe a gallon of tan formula.

[@jacobcaudill4737]

Did the wrinkles and stuff ever come out of the end product? To where it would lay perfectly flat like a rug

[@DanielGuillette]

Not really, it’s flat and flexible. But if your wanting to do that it needs to be stretched after it’s picked. Make a wooden frame and tie it to the frame every 4-6” with string from the hide it the frame, then apply the tan. After tanning don’t work it over wood like I did, that’s what softens the leather up

[@caffeinatedpossum]

How would you recommend fleshing and salting a coyote face? I was given a head by a taxidermist and cleaned it up myself and now I wanna tan the face

[@DanielGuillette]

I would flesh by hand, then follow the remaining process in the video.

[@davidwilson7131]

Daniel: good video but i need help on two things: 1) can i get by without a pressure washer to get the flesh off the hide? 2) at around 1:50 or so you say you wrap the hide up after salting and put it in a bucket overnight. is that just in a bucket or bucket of water? thanks man. David

[@DanielGuillette]

1- yes you would need a sharp knife and a fleshing beam to flesh out the hide, you could get by a pice of lumber and clamp it to a bench. 2- salt the hide close it flesh to flesh and wrap in a blanket, the bucket is to catch anything that drops out, no water in the bucket.

[@nicolascologgi247]

Do you salt it when it’s still wet after fleshing or do you let it dry

[@DanielGuillette]

You can let it dry, but at some point soon it needs to be salted

[@WTM3655]

Maple deer syrup xD I died Like and sub earned on that alone

[@DanielGuillette]

Hahahaha thank you!

[@plantsoverpills1643]

Did you pressure wash the hide as soon as you pulled it off the deer? And is that what it takes to remove that sticky membrane under the flesh. Thanks, Newbie tanner🫤

[@DanielGuillette]

I froze the hide for about a week. That kills ticks. It takes about a day to let the hide to defrost. Then pressure washer with a turbo tip.

[@plantsoverpills1643]

@@DanielGuillette thank-you….great advice…my husband definitely got a tick when we started processing the fresh hide. Next time, we’ll be smarter….freezing in a garbage bag good enough?

[@mckinnacecil5699]

If your doing an elk hide would you double the ingredients or triple

[@DanielGuillette]

@McKinna Cecil yes I would triple. Can the hide fit in a 5 gallon bucket?

[@mckinnacecil5699]

@@DanielGuillette no but I have a tub for it

[@DanielGuillette]

That’ll work, if you the recipe mentioned was doubled it would be close to overfilling a 5 gallon bucket. With an elk you’ll need close to triple and that tub would work great.

[@harperoutdoors536]

Have a question you say a gallon of white vinegar and a gallon of water but your 5 gallon bucket is full of liquid so did you just add 1 gallon of vinegar and just fill it up with water reason why I ask is I just added mine but needed to fill it up with water to cover hide

[@DanielGuillette]

That’s right I doubled the recipe. But it’s a ratio to follow, don’t just randomly add water to cover the hide- you need to double the recipe.

[@harperoutdoors536]

@@DanielGuillette okay yea I dumped it out and started over that’s what I’m doing as we speak thanks man

[@DanielGuillette]

@@harperoutdoors536 Good. pickling helps keep fur on the hide and if the pickle ratio is too high or low pH the fur will fall off.

[@harperoutdoors536]

@@DanielGuillette okay I did 2 gallon of water and 2 gallons on white vinegar.. and I leave it in there for two days right and then do I owlet it dry then add the tanning formula

[@emilys3592]

How did you work it over/ stretch it?

[@DanielGuillette]

Edge of a table with the tan side to the wood.

[@pierre-alexandremueller2614]

Im going to try this but I’m going to stretch it after the pickling

[@DanielGuillette]

Yeah, that’ll help a lot!

[@pierre-alexandremueller2614]

My first year hunting deer this weekend!

[@DanielGuillette]

@@pierre-alexandremueller2614 Awesome, good luck!

[@brianreynolds9036]

Do you rinse the hide off after pickling it?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes. It’s best to neutralize in a solution of 1 tsp baking soda per gallon of water in a bucket for 10-15 min, then rinse.

[@reviewguy3024]

Pressure washer setting, psi, nozzle type please?

[@DanielGuillette]

At 4:55 I shared the pressure washer I use. Greenworks 1500 psi, there’s no pressure setting either on or off. And I used the turbo tip. About 1500-3000 psi is good to go with a turbo tip.

[@robertd6925]

Is this an alum or vegetable tanning mix?

[@DanielGuillette]

I’m not sure which, it’s made by McKenzie

[@nicolascologgi247]

What kind of white vinegar distilled?

[@DanielGuillette]

I used Heinz All Natural Distilled White Vinegar with 5% Acidity

[@jasoncornejo6820]

Can you use a knife to get to that white layer too?

[@DanielGuillette]

Of course. Salt the hide. Then flesh it with a knife and fleshing beam.

[@jasoncornejo6820]

@@DanielGuillette okay do you think a girl can be a hunter?

[@LordPenny95]

Is there a natural way to do it without the tanning formula

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes, use the brain.

[@drylumtheartist]

Maple syrup got my hide looking 🔥

[@DanielGuillette]

Haha, yes!

[@hellybelle5]

Do you have to tan it, or can you leave it white?

[@DanielGuillette]

Yes, tanning is a process of turning an animals skin/hide into leather with chemicals. Otherwise not tanned the hide will smell, rot, and be full of maggots.

[@hellybelle5]

@@DanielGuillette thanks 😊

[@Yankeez001]

Can it sit in the pickling bath more than 24 hrs? Like 34+??

[@DanielGuillette]

@Shaylen Gray yes up to 3 days is fine. Make sure to stir a few times a day throughout the duration.

[@Yankeez001]

@@DanielGuillette ok thank you!

[@manbearpig4201]

How long do you let it sit wrapped in a towel after pickling

[@manbearpig4201]

Also when do you wash it

[@DanielGuillette]

Take the hide out the pickle let it drain for 30 min, then rinse if needed.

[@manbearpig4201]

@@DanielGuillette thank you!

[@whixhd3010]

If I hang the deer hide up after everything is done, how long does it last? A lifetime? A couple years? I’m new to this stuff

[@DanielGuillette]

If done properly, it’ll last a lifetime.

[@whixhd3010]

@@DanielGuillette Great! What do you think is the BEST way/option for me? I just got my first deer and i’m really excited! I wanted to tan it out and hang it up to keep forever so I can always remember the moment. So far I have the hide completely off the deer, I also fleshed it out with my cousin the best that I could (although im worried because I dont think we fleshed it out enough, currently it is wrapped in 2 plastic bags and we placed it in the freezer for the moment

[@DanielGuillette]

@@whixhd3010 make sure its fleshed 100%. You have it frozen safely, so no rush to do the tan process. I've added a new video this past winter that has detailed step by step instructions, and an example to stretch the hide. Stretching it will help make it nice and flat for if you want to hang the hide on the wall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qVon2LgciNn6Msi=-irhaS_SCjcFdHGz

[@sethmalarik6357]

Did you stretch the hide or did you just let it lay flat

[@DanielGuillette]

Stretch

[@bigdogbigben]

great video. Have you ever removed the fur ?

[@DanielGuillette]

No I haven’t removed fur, just tanned with fur on.

[@bigdogbigben]

@@DanielGuillette I want to turn it into like a veg tan leather to make wallets or something.

[@miker8687]

Just a suggestion, but you can purchase a 50 pound bag of salt from tractor supply for about $9, much easier than the individual pound packages from the super market. I use more then half the 50 pound bag per deer hide, I don’t skimp on salt!

[@tlmiller4674]

Can you show how to "work" the hide to make it soft? Or is there another video to watch?

[@DanielGuillette]

Not at the moment. It might be a few weeks, but I do have a hide in the freezer I could make another to show how to work the hide soft part.

[@woify9304]

Hello I did not mix the oil with water I did all oil and it doesn’t want to dry it’s kind of sticky do you have eny tips so I can dry it off. Thanks

[@DanielGuillette]

What step are you referring to? Adding water to the oil to soften up the tan after it’s been tanned?

[@woify9304]

Yea the thing is I put the tanning oil by itself I did not put eny water

[@DanielGuillette]

@@woify9304 it can take a week or so for the tanning oil to dry out

[@woify9304]

It’s been more than 2 weeks and it’s still sticky

[@DanielGuillette]

Did you flesh, salt, and pickle?