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

[@danadriscoll6437]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you liked it

[@Qwertylol]

I really appreciate this video. There’s no distracting music, no voiceover, no gimmicks or flashy editing. It’s a simple video that shows the process, and gives facts on why you do something. I found myself asking why you did it that way, and then a few seconds later, it was explained. I’m looking at a new way of dressing my deer that just so happens to leave the hide mostly intact…. So rather than waste it, I figure I’d just make use of it. Thank you for the video. Also, the bowl with the elk etched in it is so beautiful.

[@SERENITY_byNATURE]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@davidjohnson2968]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@haroldbleemel8537]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wow, thanks!

[@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 😊

[@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?

[@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!

[@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!

[@nnybees6733]

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

[@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 🍻🇨🇦👊🏻

[@mehgangraham7742]

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

[@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

[@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

[@calebcothron3556]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@kriyashivajiva]

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

[@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

[@kennithnieman9130]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@amypayjack6481]

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

[@marlenesouliere6971]

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

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

Nice Job 👍 straight to business, no obnoxious music

[@_Idontknowyet_]

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

[@masonpiper5356]

Thank you for such wonderful teaching, Mr. Hayes!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You are very welcome

[@strahlungsopfer]

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

[@farajibakari0407]

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

[@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 -

[@terrymayberry]

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

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@David_Griggs]

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

[@willzander4754]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you think so!

[@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!

[@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!

[@nate.hanlon]

i have no business watching this but i love it

[@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!

[@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

[@user-McGiver]

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

[@cindysorensen2350]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wow, thank you!

[@shalahneller9987]

My family is moving from California to Arkansas, and plan on building a place big enough for all of us, and as self-sustaining as possible. Your videos are going to be a major cornerstone of learning. Thank you so much for the immense amount of effort. You rock.

[@clayhayeshunter]

That is awesome!

[@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.

[@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.

[@David-q7f9cDCcreations]

Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@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.

[@russelljones3171]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed 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!

[@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!

[@joehorton01]

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

[@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

[@BenMoeOne]

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

[@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

[@roadsofjapan6009]

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

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PeterKertesz2013]

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

[@maquard3223]

A realy realy good teaching video!!! I see many work steps that have to be done continuously. Are there areas of the steps where you can just leave the skin there for now without working on it any further and carry on later?

[@kirkethridge2500]

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

[@HW-ow9zp]

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

[@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.

[@bhushanghritlahare2695]

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

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

First question, what type of scraper for the fur is that? You make it look so easy. And second, how do you feel about modern tanning chemicals?

[@clayhayeshunter]

The scraper is just a piece of scrap metal attached to a handle. They’re easy to make. Modern chemical tans are fast and easy but I don’t mess with them much.

[@mav8903]

That was an incredible amount of effort. Wow.

[@mark109s]

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

[@randiegadberry5448]

Great video! I have a couple of dried deer hides a couple of years old. They were put on a horizontal pole to dry. They haven’t been fleshed yet. Can they be tanned with hair on or off? No salt was used in drying.

[@Bear-Ur2ez]

Very interesting i enjoyed watching. Thank you for sharing your experience and talent.

[@amirrouhbakhsh-d3e]

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

[@abefehr6155]

Amazing work you made it very easy to learn keep up the great videos

[@scottkinman8173]

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

[@jeanyoon9180]

Aww the little dance at the end. Great video

[@rtcfrtcdana]

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

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make 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]

😂

[@bradlafferty]

Mesmerizing. I had to grin at the ending when you shook from hide to pants to wearing - great videography! Bet those pants will last you ages. And the hide looked beautiful, unique. What is the hide’s odor like? Thank you for this tutorial. Well done.

[@Super61a]

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

[@stevenowell]

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

[@PlainsAngel]

I love this Chanel and its videos

[@clayhayeshunter]

😊

[@DrewCarr-np4gx]

great stuff as usual clay. just curious, besides obviously not doing the dehairing process, what would you change for a hair on hide?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve never followed this process for hair on. I’ve used alum a lot. And bark tanning works well for hair on.

[@beautanner8409]

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

[@golddog2787]

Very nice video. Well done. I have an elk hide frozen. I want to tan it hair on. This such a clean method. Can i apply it to hair on ?

[@petescott9011]

Cervids don’t keep their hair well. Tend to shed. Save it for bearskin or some such, I’d say. Although I think there are methods.

[@multiversevariant4944]

Awesome, just a quick question can I use wood glue for backing my bows with sinew? Thank you so much ❤

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, I’ve used titebond before.

[@arrowking1417]

I love the video just a quick question, do you have to it all step by step, or can there be pauses or breaks in between, I mean can you leave it for a day or two if you dont have the time to finish it in one day? Or does that ruin the material by pausing the process?

[@clayhayeshunter]

The only time you can’t stop is once you start the softening process.

[@juki3703]

Just beautiful work Thank you

[@Fouqueria1]

Loved it and learned a lot ! Thank you!

[@adamakaru2683]

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

[@jackavalon8366]

Nice work Clay - as usual.

[@marshalrommel3410]

Great instructional video. My kids love it.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Great to hear!

[@barefootdesigner]

Oh wowwww ! Thank you for this amazing video. Let the fun begin - my first to try this out. Hunters left some amazing hides and I had no idea where to start. I have a Gold Wildebeest, a normal Wildebeest, and two black Impala hides. And 3 scrote totes 😅. I will improvise on tools as I go. I want to keep the hair though. Do I need to smoke it too ?