From Deer Hide to BUCKSKIN! Start to Finish

[@cuocsonglangnoigogang]

Your step-by-step guide from deer hide to buckskin is a masterful demonstration of traditional craftsmanship and skill. Sharing such a detailed and methodical process highlights your dedication to preserving and passing on valuable techniques. Your effort in showcasing each stage not only educates but also celebrates the art of transforming raw materials into beautifully finished products. And I am Floating Village Life.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@charleschambers2299]

Love it

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

This was a very articulate and kind response. Love this.

[@TryLater-c8f]

What tools do you use

[@Skyl3t0n]

chat gpt?

[@alejandromoreno7962]

My native language is not English so when I find videos like this that don't have any narration during the process I am very grateful❤

[@papabird4425]

All videos lack narration if you turn down the volume

[@rez4958]

@@papabird4425 lmaoo

[@zackguy5537]

@@papabird4425but a video lacking narration entirely tends to focus on better demonstration.

[@papabird4425]

@@zackguy5537 woosh

[@zackguy5537]

@@papabird4425 not really a hard enough joke to miss, just a simple one.

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

damn haha making the jeans at the end really blew me away. they look like a pair of commercial pants. really good video, great info.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@jonanderson5137]

Those aren't jeans, they're buckskin breeches!

[@danadriscoll6437]

Nice work Mr.Hayes. No music background, no talk...... A good, straight-forward video.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you liked it

[@SERENITY_byNATURE]

The way you showcase nature’s tranquility is impressive. This video is so soothing. Does anyone else feel the same?

[@zackguy5537]

Indeed good sir

[@TheWoodsman3]

What he is doing is honestly being a lost art form! I’ve been hunting and working with animal hides my whole life! It’s a very time consuming process but you learn so much more then you would thank possible! Great work my friend!

[@davidjohnson2968]

This is probably the best step by step no bs instruction I’ve ever watched on KZbin. Thank you sir

[@darin7369]

When I was younger and had lots of time I did a lot of brain tanning and this video brings back those memories. I can hardly wait to retire in a few more years and get back into it. The hardest part of this process is getting full penetration of the brain (or egg yolk) mixture. Definitely start out with something thin like whitetail deer hides and then advance to mule deer and elk. It's hard work but extremely rewarding.

[@NeroontheGoon]

I’m going on vacation after watching that! I’m exhausted! Good grief, had no idea that turning a hide into something usable took that much work. I’ve skinned deer and elk before but never used the hide. Amazing and thanks Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Give it a try!

[@Ranttilwecant01]

Incredible. It's sad to realise that these skills, developed over thousands of years, have been bred out of us, but inspiring to know people like you exist to keep them alive.

[@Nursejenni135]

Country ppl know this kind of stuff but we keep getting pushed out of our towns by overpopulation and pricing

[@Nursejenni135]

We teach people who don’t assume we are ignorant and don’t make fun of how we talk

[@Nursejenni135]

Tyson chicken factories are stinking up the land near us and buying all land available. There are 4 in a 10 mile radius or less

[@Nursejenni135]

This lowers our property value for them to buy, how convenient for big corporations. Support local businesses!

[@nnybees6733]

I’ve watched a lot of tutorials. Yours is the clearest I’ve seen. Thank you.

[@petescott9011]

As the graduate of one buckskin making workshop, I’m no expert, however some things to note: Soaking the hide in a bucking solution to loosen the hair makes the initial hair removal a breeze. Don’t need to stretch/dry the hide, a sharp scraper, and don’t have to work very hard. Scraping the inner hide thoroughly when wet is important. Avoids the crunchy shit he was pulling off after drying. Smoking should only take about 20 minutes/side, not 8 hours? Things I’m going to try when I tan next (soon! I just brought home an elk and a whitetail) include using a pressure washer in the scraping process. Some vids online, and it looks promising. Last thing: I think there’s a better time to sew the holes closed. Can’t remember, but maybe before final working/drying?! Anyone know? Great video. Thanks very much for the content, Clay. Inspiring me to get tanning my hides! Do you have one on bark tanning, or making leather?

[@gs1oobert]

What is your bucking solution?

[@jad-r5q]

Very few people in this life can say they have tanned a deer hide like that. Thank you Clay for teaching us all! I used to rub wood ash on the hide and bury it for a week when I dug it up the hair would fall right off. Never learned the last steps. Now I know. Thank you!

[@Nunya_Binness]

Awesome skill to possess! Thanks for sharing! That’s an unbelievable amount of effort for a pair of pants! It puts in perspective how spoiled we are today, but maybe not tomorrow.

[@clayhayeshunter]

But maybe not tomorrow! Reminds me of the Einstein quote about the fourth world war being fought with sticks and stones…

[@davidhunter7545]

Clay, can't tell you how much I appreciate your videos. I pray that in my retired life (a few years) I'll make the time to learn and do the craft time you share on your channel. Thanks for all you do.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 😊

[@danielklee2933]

Man! Sitting here making longbow strings, watching Clay hunt Alaskan elk, raw hide back a bow, and make buckskin, and coffee. What a way to start the day. It would only be better if I was on that moose hunt! lol Thanks Clay for the cool videos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@vincemcclenahan8663]

I have such an appreciation for you and now have an even deeper appreciation for our ancestors and the old way of life. What a treasure everything use to be!

[@mikehobbs7421]

Sense watching you on ALONE you have become such a great mentor to me. I can’t thank you enough. Cheers from a Canadian hunter/bushmen 🍻🇨🇦👊🏻

[@kennithnieman9130]

I've done raw hide and tanned hides using very similar process, your hide came out perfect.

[@sweetchariotengland]

All about the sound of those poles at the start Love a good pole noise, it's how you know you've got a good one. Which is also a promising stage in a bow build

[@haroldbleemel8537]

Best SHTF/Homesteading/Survival site on YT. Great stuff Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wow, thanks!

[@robertconner5126]

There is a reason they called it, "Working a hide." Thanks for the video.

[@swright5690]

No shit. That was a lot of time and effort.

[@michaelduncan2151]

Brain tanning is the best.....Gives the hide a Really long life.... Indian method of tanning....Clay surely knows...!!! Great Vid....👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@charlesleblanc6638]

I agree

[@calebcothron3556]

This felt very much like a primitive technology video. Really well done!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@dawnfirephotography]

This is almost certainly something I'll never do but fascinating to watch nonetheless. It's so wonderful people like yourself are making videos like these because otherwise this type of knowledge could be lost forever in the modern world. Visiting Idaho tomorrow for the first time!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Awesome, have fun

[@kriyashivajiva]

you are one of the great teachers of the native ways. fine tutorial. bad ass artistry

[@mehgangraham7742]

I don’t know why this showed up in my algorithm but I’m not mad about it. This is art, truly.

[@jerryaaronson7061]

I have never put it back on the stretcher again, instead I worked them over a post-end or cable like you did later. Haven't done one in quiet some time but actually enjoy the hard work because of what you get at the end and it is satisfying to know I used more of the animal. Thanks for the video I was right there with you enjoying the smells and tactile feeling of the hide in my mind as it stretches and drys.

[@David-q7f9cDCcreations]

Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@michaelkelly1588]

This is one of the coolest videos I have ever seen. You just made pants from an animal part. I may try this when i finally take my first deer.

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

Nice Job 👍 straight to business, no obnoxious music

[@plan.b.erlebnis]

Great Video! A couple of well placed pointy sticks inside the sack while smoking improve flow of smoke and prevent the hides from touching each other which would cause spots that are not well smoked.

[@Dev_2R]

Country boys live longer because they're outside getting fresh air and working hard softening hides for 8 hours! Thanks for this video, looking forward to trying my hand at it.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@marlenesouliere6971]

And the smell of smoked hide is beyond description!!!! This is on my bucket list.

[@strawman3059]

I live in a town in the UK, have a job (welder) I'll probably never have to do this but find your videos absolutely fascinating 💥🥊💞

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nate.hanlon]

i have no business watching this but i love it

[@_Idontknowyet_]

This has been the most instructive video I've ever watched. Good job.

[@amypayjack6481]

I really appreciate that you show the hard labor parts and how to do every step, like making a frame.

[@WhatWouldBojackDo]

The amount of work that goes into making this is incredible.

[@terrymayberry]

what an amazing overview of the process shot artistically and perfectly narrated by the closed captions.

[@masonpiper5356]

Thank you for such wonderful teaching, Mr. Hayes!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are very welcome

[@Hopeknives13]

This is awesome! I just did this with my daughter’s first deer with her bow. I made two sets of finger tabs with it. And plan on making a knife sheath.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Awesome!

[@Zorronoa]

Every video you post is just a real delight, thank you Clay ! Your feather sticks are looking better than ever, you can't say that you're bad at it anymore 😝 Keep up the great work and stay safe :)

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you very much!

[@lindahamilton800]

Wow. This popped up in my feed. I watched people do it live, and i watched other YT vids, but this far and away the best. Thanks for posting it. Gets the thumbs up and a new subscriber. Cheers -

[@joehorton01]

cant wait to see you make the pants! great content as always Clay

[@farajibakari0407]

Sharing such a detailed and methodical process highlights your dedication to preserving and passing on valuable techniques.

[@lori6911]

It was so easy to immerse myself in what you were doing/teaching. Thank you for sharing you wealth of information and as another person mentioned, a great surprise ending showing off your workmanship like that. I have subscribed, your content is very appreciated.

[@nono-h5q]

Funny I was just curious on how to make buck skin now I know every step to do it keep it up these are very educational! 😁

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad I could help!

[@willzander4754]

Fantastic video, Clay! Some of the best content on KZbin for sure.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you think so!

[@myheroskryptonite]

This is one of the best videos I've seen. I have tried to tan leather before using "a" buckskin method (because there are many) and it hasn't turned out. Next time I am going to try it your way :)

[@user-McGiver]

That was great! But your ''vine water purifier'' is still at the top of my list...!

[@Super61a]

awesome video i did not know you could use egg yolk instead of brains.

[@bigshrek3926]

That is what is called Working for a Living!!!! Great Video Sir!!!

[@ivandejanovic4963]

Fantastic video man. I like the end a lot when you just flip the skin and end with pants. Great editing. The pants look really good. My paternal grandmother was a seamstress and I spent a lot of time as a kid watching her work. I know good pants when I see one. And I see the fast die last t-shirt from last video made an appearance again.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@rolfnilsen6385]

Never seen this process before, or heard about it. Great stuff! Will have to try it on deerskin here over the pond.

[@watchingprophets2972]

Very well done, my friend. Reminds me of the thorough explanations of projects found in the Foxfire series I read as a teenager, in the 80's..

[@clayhayeshunter]

Great books

[@halbarbour7340]

I've bought brainntanned buckskin from the Four Winds Trading post in St. Ignatius, Montana that was done by the Salish and Kootenai people there on the rez. Very soft and very easy to push a needle through.

[@jeanyoon9180]

Aww the little dance at the end. Great video

[@timothylongmore7325]

Another great video Clay. I always have tanned hides in the winter. Start softening on the frame and end up by the wood stove over a stake cause we get about 5 minutes of sun 2 or 3 times a month here in northern ny in the winter. Think I'm gonna start fleshing them and throw em in the freezer till spring.

[@micahgrim2597]

How have I not seen your stuff?! I just stumbled onto this video as I’m tanning a piebald deer I harvested last week. Definitely subscribing and checking out your stuff! This was incredible

[@David_Griggs]

I really enjoyed this.....long, painstaking attention to detail. Best of all, no annoying monotone blathering on....almost ASMR.

[@glennwilck5459]

Love it! Done quite a few wet scrapes and still managed to learn something! Love the pants ive got to make a pair forsure i hear they are strongest fabric there is. Punky golden pine gives a gorgeous color but its cool to know you can use something as easy as straw.

[@artdragon9791]

The tutorial is great, when I get my hands on a raw fur I am gonna try this method. My last fur didn't went so well. But thanks to you I know what I did wrong

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good luck!

[@cindysorensen2350]

You are an amazing Human! Truly. Thanks for sharing all the incredible things you accomplish ❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wow, thank you!

[@mark109s]

I don’t have the patience to do this . I did enjoy watching you do it though! Great job.

[@kirkethridge2500]

Thanks!! i've been wanting a buckskin shirt! i read "chocktaw" used corn cob for smoke,, to make hide pleasant yellow...

[@dwigtschrude]

super cool technique that looks like some really soft buckskin. you have to show us more details on those pants!

[@russelljones3171]

Awesome Clay, you amaze me every time I watch I learn something new, thank you for sharing

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@richroc7]

Thank you 🙏🏼 Clay, that was a phenomenal amount of work and the reward was equally impressive. I envy your knowledge and I wish I lived out west to live a similar lifestyle 💪🏼👊🏼

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@venca955]

Love the super excited jump at the end haha

[@mav8903]

That was an incredible amount of effort. Wow.

[@BenMoeOne]

No words spoken - so much said. thank you very much.

[@donaldhofman5257]

Great tutorial video! Now i need to get a deer!

[@monasobkowich4608]

The wiggle at the end! Brilliant video. Thank you. My dear dad used to tan deer.

[@beautanner8409]

I've always wanted to know how to do this... thank you for creating this!

[@stevenowell]

Whew, that's a lot of effort. My hands are cramping. Would love an article of Buckskin clothing

[@AquaTeenHungerForce_4_Life]

7:54 I’ve heard that term as a child quite a bit. “Wring your hide”brings a bit of clarity to the origin of the saying. 😂

[@PeterKertesz2013]

Amazing video, just imagine how many generation passed until they mastered the process.

[@roadsofjapan6009]

Wonderful produced video , glad your providing this type of content.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@bryansovich2]

I had no idea how much time it took, and the amount of work involved just to get to the point of actually being able to work with it WOW. Great video!

[@devinstef]

I know they are young and I’m sure you aren’t interested in having them on the internet but I’d be awesome if your sons had a channel on KZbin kids for my children to watch. We limit what and when my kids can watch KZbin but I’d be more than happy for them to see kids their age doing what they probably think is impossible for kids in the concrete jungle of the big city. Love your content man, hopefully one day my kids will enjoy your kids content and it’ll inspire them to get outside and learn. God bless.

[@BozhidarS]

I know his wife and son do have youtube channels! His son is Fen Hayes, haven't watched his videos personally, but looks like he is walking in his dads steps with the outdoors content!

[@devinstef]

@@BozhidarS Awesome. I figured his sons would follow in his steps. Kind of hard not to with a dad like that. The outdoor stuff is what I’d like to see my kids watch. If they’re going to melt their brains with KZbin, I’d be happy to see them watch kids their age go out and get their hands dirty. I do my best to get them out in nature fishing and hunting but wife and I are city stuck with typical jobs. I hate KZbin kids, Itd be a relief for his youngins to make content similar to his but to relate to the youth. The world and internet could use more of that. I’ll introduce my kids to their channel tonight. Thankyou

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, both boys have channels. Fen’s is mostly outdoor stuff. Coye’s is focused on sailing.

[@asmith7876]

@@clayhayeshunter I hope your winnings on Alone made that possible, you deserve everything you have and more. I watched your bow videos and found out you were on Alone, we binge watched every season. How a skinny ultra-fit guy like you made it to the end is a testament to skill and perseverance. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@Level3Readiness]

lol I sat quietly and intently watching the process unfold step by step then in a blink of an eye you're dancing around in buck skin britches and busting out laughing 😂 informative entertaining and fun, Keep up the great content 👊

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank ya

[@amirrouhbakhsh-d3e]

Sooo Fantastic! I think all who watched this video, wished that they were there...

[@HW-ow9zp]

Pretty cool to watch, thanks for including lots of interesting details :)

[@scottkinman8173]

What a great lesson and a very well made video I loved it.

[@monkeysnark7043]

This is/was enjoyable to watch, and a intensive labour of love to get a wonderful result. Yet, not like you would easily find fresh deer hide in the city, though there are a lot of fat does and bucks. 🤔Wait those are humans. 😮😅

[@clayhayeshunter]

😂

[@rtcfrtcdana]

Great video & I've already learned a better way to wring. Thank you.

[@Cloud4hundred20]

Dude this is simply amazing awesome skills man. This is art at its finest. Hats off to you man.. this is a lost art. I really want to try this. I know I will probably mess up some things but I really need to try this

[@Thee_Sinner]

You had fun making that ending lol

[@adamakaru2683]

Ho Clay, that's great people pay a lot of money for pants like you make. Thanks for showing me I love it.

[@kensanity178]

I made a tanned dear hide as a kid. I tacked it out on a piece of plywood, covered it with salt, then after a few days, i scraped the fat off if it. I did this twice. Then i soaked it in a hollowed out oak tree stump that was in our front yard. I filled the stump with water, oak leaves, and salt, then i keft it there all winter. I used a sharp Bowie knife and scraoed all the hair off of it. This made some pretty decent hide, but i didnt do much with it.

[@Fouqueria1]

Loved it and learned a lot ! Thank you!

[@jasonknox5930]

Love the ending mate 😆 awesome set of pants.

[@TimSeburn]

I used my washer to clean my hides before tanning them, and, after tanning, double bagged them in garbage bags full of clean sawdust and put them in the dryer on air dry to keep them moving while drying. The drying technigue worked perfectly, and I recommend it. Cleaning hides with a washer cost me the washer and a wife. Too cheap to go to the laundry mat.

[@woodyblacksheep4969]

Great tuto, very nice to watch and what a quick pants sewing in the end ! 😂 I hope to see a video on that project as well one day 😉👍🏼

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you! 😊

[@kren1101]

I got a couple deer hides in the freezer waiting for me to have time to tan. I'll be referencing back here for sure

[@bhushanghritlahare2695]

You are very talented and hard working man clay.best wishes❤ for you from India

[@OutdoorsAllie]

That takes some skills!! Good stuff.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@David35445]

I've got last year's deer hide scrapped and salted. I also saved the brains. Thanks for the motivation to take the next step. My neighbors are going to wonder what the hell I'm smoking now, lol.

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣have fun