Spring Days in Alaska | Tanning a Caribou Hide

When a spring ride doesn't go as planned, we have a cook out on the deck over with caribou stuffed pita pits. Back at the cabin we get ready for our summer season and tan our first caribou hide.
We appreciate you tagging along for our Alaskan adventure 😀
Thank you for watching and supporting our channel! 💙
- Eric & Arielle
Music by Epidemic Sound:
Reaching beyond the Clouds - Tellsonic
Danro - Sugoi
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[@rodneyrote6261]

That dog eats better than most people

[@laurawallace4661]

Definitely better than me!

[@downhillnut2273]

Not only is his food safe for human consumption, it all probably tastes pretty good...

[@huntakilla1234]

No kiddin. I was looking at that food prep and thoughts wow. Meat, veggies, grains, berries. Definitely eats better than I do many days.

[@Userxyz-z2d]

I feed my dogs similar after i learned that dog food is made so badly it causes cancer & other stuff.

[@kaisenji]

It's no more than people on specialized diets would do. I don't know why we make a bigger deal about animals than we do humans.

[@wendellsuiter7869]

If there's a puddle of water Bandit will find it, pure instinct.

[@adamyoung480]

Aloha. Gotta love it.

[@kandi_canel.5730]

Happy Birthday Eric!!🎂🎉🎈🥳 Another wonderful vlog!!! Thanks for sharing😃

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Thank you 😄

[@deblarsen8528]

​@SimpleLivingAlaska Happy Birthday Eric! 🎂🎁🎈☕️🍺🍷🥩🫔🍔🌮🌯🥙🍞🥐

[@OurLifeLakeside]

We’re glad Bandit found a puddle at the new house 😅 We’re sure he was missing his bog that he always dug and splashed in! We always laughed how any given video you could find him in the background digging around in the water.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

It's so short lived but he was happy for about a week 😄

[@stephaniknight5809]

Bandit eats like a king. Also i love his need for puddles.

[@Sparkysings2]

Happy Birthday to Eric! 🎉

[@gailbrault9251]

Oh, Bandit! You are so loved by dad and mom.

[@granvisio]

Guys! You probably won’t read this, but me and my husband have been watching you since many years and we admire your skills, strength, resilience and your reliance on food produced in such a short growing season! Just wow! But I need to step into my permaculture designer’s shoes and tell you that you could save yourself so much hassle with this excess water. I know it’s only temporary, but you could do certain tricks on your land (always in harmony with your land shape and nature around) and save yourself time in dealing with those seasonal problems. It would be such an honor to do a holistic landscape design for water management on your property and beyond. Much love! Eva!

[@turtle2212]

Yes please, establish swales to guide the waters where you need them.

[@Paylala]

yall dont even understand how wide i smile every time you pull food out of the crawlspace i'm like YESSS COMFORT ME WITH COOKING CONTENT!!! idc if it's bandit's dog food, bird slop, or a wicked meal... it's all amazing to watch.

[@deeanna5814]

Agree.

[@Bear-yh6cv]

You know what’s missing from your Quonset hut? A big chunky work bench! 3” thick worktop with 6x6 legs strong enough for a big vice and a backboard to hang your tools. Go on Eric you know you wanna 😂 happy birthday by the way 👍🏻

[@steph0xGx]

They are going to insulate and do electrics on the walls and stuff first 😂 give them time

[@Bear-yh6cv]

@@steph0xGx absolutely agree but how cool would a monster heavy duty work bench be in there knowing they will use it for loads of projects. They will park all the vehicles in there and any repairs can be done easily on the bench, chainsaw, generator and power tool maintenance can be done there. So when they do the electrics they should consider lighting and power to the mega bench lol 😂

[@steph0xGx]

@@Bear-yh6cv sure they already have. In a previous video they spoke about wanting a workbench

[@deeterry580]

Your videos are never long enough. I want to spend lots of time with you guys. Selfish me! Oh well I'll take what I can get and be grateful. Thanks for allowing me to be part of your life.

[@applemac100100]

I thought you had to salt hides before tanning.

[@K.E.L-117]

So nice to see Bandit working on his newest mud lagoon addition to the property. He just adds value wherever he goes, lakeside property soon

[@kimglover6968]

It's a wonder that Eric doesn't weigh 500 pounds. He truly loves food. It's pure joy. I guess him working so hard keeps it off. Great job on the pita's Arielle.

[@rock-n-rollfoodie]

Best thing he’s ever tasted 🤣

[@annetteburns1546]

He works it off 😂and the cold alone keeps you burning calories 😮

[@kyliestark7356]

I reckon he would need 5000 calories a day x

[@socallars3748]

The dude works HARD, burns off those calories. They both do, actually. I feel so lazy watching them!!

[@rosebelden297]

He works hard n I would think you need lots of calories in the cold.

[@paulineclarke5388]

Love seeing Bandit playing in the water ❤

[@ABNMPmama]

Alaskan Besties!!! I cannot WAIT until tonight to sit down and watch your video! I’m doing some after-storm clean-up right now. We got lucky here, but we had to get into our underground shelter. The cell was rotating, eventually turned tornadic, and did quite a bit of damage. Ooooooooooklahoma….! The song tells no lies. 😂❤

[@Sparkysings2]

I’m so sorry. Glad you’re safe.

[@deborahparnell8862]

Wow!!! Y'all are awesome as ever..y'all have my heart..ty. xoxo..blessings to y'all in every way ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cherylkoenig5509]

I'm so glad that you're safe!!

[@johnshanker82]

Be safe! It was nasty here in Nebraska the other day also. Too many twisters 🤦‍♂️

[@chrislewis4241]

God bless all the Okies who are hurting, 'Braskans too!❤

[@jamesharrison9856]

Bandit is so funny. As long as you’ve been on KZbin, he’s had this habit of digging in the mud and water. He paws at anything just to be splashing. Fine hound dog…

[@renateschreiber4416]

Happy Birthday Eric .Love seeing Bandit and Pepper .Stay save and have fun 😊❤

[@АндрейДнепров-ъ1к]

Эрик , Крутой водиель снегохода и Отличный Повар , Строитель , Рыбак ....!!! Браво !!! Ариель ,Ты Лучший огородник и верный Друг , Ты муза его - всё для Тебя и ради Тебя ! Успехов вам , Ребята .Смотрю вас с Украины с субтитрами .

[@andrewphillips1865]

You need a tension bar to use the new puller you made. Weave the tension bar (usually for chainlink) in and out of the wielded wire or field wire. Then, hook the puller to the tension bar. Then, you can pull tension without doing much damage to the wire.

[@Boomhauer333]

Bandit is blessed to have such caring humans in his life 😀

[@maxinesmith3773]

Yay, love to see Bandit splashing about!!

[@katiebowen2194]

Happy Birthday Eric, Hope you have a wonderful day!!

[@michellewinkler3985]

What we love about you guys is that you are partners! Everything you do, you basically do together, supporting each other, spending time together, and enjoying each other's company inside and outdoors. In our neighborhood, in suburban CO, we see no one doing this in our entire neighborhood except one other couple a couple of doors over. Spending time together, supporting each other, strengthens a marriage, which will last a lifetime. We celebrate almost 40 years together and can't wait to do any projects inside or outside together! This is long term happiness and self fulfulment, which many never will realize. Congratulations and many many years of happiness ahead!!!!!

[@suzannesnow7485]

The beauty of spring thaw! 9:17 Thanks for capturing it for us, Eric & Arielle! 💞 Happy Birthday, Eric! 🎉🎂🎈

[@YouTubetail]

Great 👍🏼 😊

[@angellabrown4352]

Happy birthday Eric🎉❤❤nuff love

[@thewhitehorsefarm]

My favorite Alaska couple! Enjoying your videos so much!

[@bustersmith5569]

There always to short !!!!!

[@DawnPalmer55]

💯!

[@lifgrenj]

Enjoyed the video very much. You covered nearly everything, hazardous snow travel, garden, chickens, putting away the beehive, cooking wonderful food (looked so good), Bandit enjoying the water, his special diet prep, the caribou hide. I must have missed something, there was so much. Thank you so much. You outdid yourselves.

[@MySwellGarden]

Happy Birthday Eric!

[@lorienish1286]

drone shots stellar ...thanks for sharing ❤

[@AussieTracy-kq7tv]

Happy Tuesday everyone. Nice to see Bandit living his best life digging and playing in the water 🌸🐨🌸

[@icybar]

I do love your videos to bits. I was getting really worried around the 5 minute mark though. I learn something every time, about the environment you live in, the animals that surround you, your constant compassion and real understanding of what the natural world is. You are inspirational, the both of you.

[@dennisbentson823]

You both make your hard work look like fun and always have such a great attitude! You guys are my favorite people

[@spiritandtruthjourney]

A proper diet for our beloved fur babies is RAW. 😊

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

I agree 🙂 he didn't seem to be doing well with raw chicken but then figured out he benefited from a probiotic.

[@91hiace]

That beautiful scenery does it for me every time. Wow, Bandit in his element. Looks like you’re having to think draining the important parts. Nice hide. Wonderful memories.

[@klmedic222]

Y’all are the highlight of our day! We do not miss a show! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (Eric) Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Eric Happy Birthday to you! 🤩

[@kensebring3683]

We love all of you for taking us on a ride that I I doubt we'll ever get close to taking. Thank you thank you thank you

[@waymonhutto2274]

It's good to see with all the work that the two of you do that you take time to go on hunting and fishing trips. Thanks for sharing your life with your subscribers. Safe travels. 😊

[@InYourFace2day]

If i have learnt anything from this channel its that Alaska is one of the most beautiful places in the world!!!

[@joebacarella2829]

Finally the snow melts, can`t wait to see all the garden work, the garden at the last place was just amazing, the biggest bounty I ever seen from 2 people, be well, Happy Birthday Eric.

[@wards1fan]

If there's "heaven on earth" Alaska is it!

[@ladyofthemasque]

11:49 my absolute *favorite* moment!! ♥.♥ So beautiful!!! Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ...A suggestion? Since now you know the melting patterns for your property, perhaps dig some minor drainage ditches and a retention pond off to whatever low spot might be around? Yes I know the season is short, the soil is sandy, and normally drains quite well; I'm just talking about some minor surface dips that will help guide the melting water away until the ground can sufficiently thaw. Things that will help guide the water away from important areas (like the shipping container, etc). Maybe dig a pit for holding the approximate volume of what you're seeing in melt runoff, to give the surface water a place to go, and then it'll just get absorbed back into the land when that land thaws a bit deeper. Identify the "rims" of the most troublesome thaw-pond areas, and provide shallow outlets for the water to Go Elsewhere? (It might also be good to get some clay soil to line the pit so Bandit can have a bit more Puddle Time?

[@sreid9740]

Beautiful music and scenery to begin with - just lovely!! Well, things are starting to speed up pretty quickly ; spring thaw coming along with all that planting to be done, lots of puddles for Bandit to splach around in on top of all the regular daily stuff - especially all that yummy cooking. So sorry about the bees, but I'm sure you'll figure out a survival plan for a new batch. Happy birthday Eric! Stay safe and be happy both of you and the fur babies!!❤

[@divinewrath3142]

So many props to Arielle! I would have had to bleep out half that ride if it was me😂 Bandit was so freaking cute with that hide. Great job with that! It is really pretty!

[@daphtahquette9242]

I said bad words everytime she tilted. Oh fudge nuggets!

[@kimglover6968]

I was surprised to hear her say a curse word. LOL.This channel is safe to watch with my grandson's, who love it BTW.

[@BearMom75]

Awww the poor bees! I’m so sorry you lost your hive. I’m sure that was a sad realization for you guys to find out they didn’t make it! You worked so hard to keep them going!

[@dianacfleming]

Edible dog bed! He likes it!

[@Mia_Waiting]

Hello from France ❤.

[@valariecroslin1427]

Blessings to you all I never miss a video

[@brianvernell]

" The great melt down." Peace and Blessings 🙏

[@kellyquinn1468]

💜💜💜 There is just no end to what you two will try, every episode is something different and that’s why I love it! Your dedication to finding ways to utilize every part of what you harvest (animal or plant) is so refreshing. Wish more of us were like that. 💜💜💜

[@champagnemommy]

Eric is a wild feral mountain man, lol and I love how every once in a while while you just hear Ariel screaming “Eric”!! 😮 girl I feel your pain. Listen to your wife, Eric, she’s going to keep you alive. 😂 You both deserve this nice little “vacation” day, after all the hard work you’ve been doing with the hut.

[@jwk4567]

I’ve never smiled at a puffed pita before! Fantastic job!

[@nitaleach6816]

I look forward to our times together. You have been so much a part of my life for at least 3 years. It never matters what you're doing I feel I'm right there. You both are very Special, I'm grateful you're so willing to share your life so much. Good luck this year with all of our adventures.

[@shelleypalmer1549]

Thank you so much for the scenic videos it’s amazing to see something so beautiful I can only dream of seeing it with my own eyes!

[@3na400]

WE LOVE BANDIT !

[@pamsupnorth]

I can’t get over how beautiful the sky looks!

[@sandramarc4858]

Your videography is next level..National Geographic calling! HBD Eric 🎂

[@rogertemple7193]

That was quite an adventure riding around the beautiful countryside there and seeing all of the wildlife of Alaska as well as the awesome scenery all around that was a great meal y'all had, always great to see both Bandit and your cat as well have a wonderful week and Thank You.🇺🇲🤠🐕🐈‍⬛🤠🇺🇲

[@papavan]

To soften the hide, run the hide side over a 2x4 or something similar to break the glaze. First Nation's people used to chew on it to soften, but the wood seems to work quite well.

[@mama_duck_on_the_lake7510]

Seriously you guys are making National Geographic work for it!!!! Amazing shots!!!!

[@nanettebrown5723]

My birthday couldn't end any better. Thank you for your videos!!!

[@dougnoonan5663]

Happy birthday Eric.

[@dennisolive4741]

That was a nice job of stringing up the Caribou hide. I thought you were going to remove the fur! If it's like deer fur, unfortunately it's hollow, and will easily break off, and make a mess! I sent you a comment a while back, describing how to scrape off the fur side, with a scrapping tool made from a planers blade from a sawmill. It has a front part, that is curved enough so there are no sharp edges. Then with a grinder, all the curved part is ground down to a 45 degree angle, then you sharpen it like a knife blade. The front part is welded to a part in the rear at a 90 % angle. It has to be long enough to drill a couple of holes in the center, so it can be mounted on a curved handle. Some notches can be put on the sides to strap it also, with the screws in the center, to secure it to the handle. This scraping tool, can be used for all hides later, deer,elk,moose, caribou, etc. this method is for Buckskin. I never heard of using eggs, as a replacement for brains. We would go buy Pork brains at the supermarket. People eat actually eat them! If not that, we made a mixture of shredded Fels Naptha soap, with a cup of 100% Neets foot oil, mixed in a quart of water. After the fur is removed, cut the hide down, soak it in water to reconstitute it to a soft state, wring it out and coat the skin in the Brains, or soap and oil. Then rinse off the tanning solution, wring the hide out and start the pulling until the hide is dry. With all hides, you have to hang them over a smoky fire until golden brown. This will prevent the hide, from getting hard again, if gotten wet! We also tanned sheepskins , leaving the fur on. As with all hides they need to be soft to string up and dried. With all hides, the fat has to be removed to prevent rotting! When the skin is soft, for sheepskins, we made a mixture of equal part Alum and salt, mixed together, then spread evenly over the entire skin side. After that we put a layer of rolled oats over the entire skin side. Then fold up the skin, and let the hide cure for a few days in a dry cool place. After a few days, pull out the skin, clean off the tanning mixture, and spread a thin coat of 100% Neets foot oil, over the entire surface. After that you slowly dry the hide, while pulling the sides outwards around and around, until fully dry! It should be soft and flexible. If not, repeat the tanning process. This method is for hides you want to keep the fur on. The scrapping method is for making buckskin for clothing. Sorry, I tried to describe these two methods, as well as I could. There are probably videos, and books to show you also. As I said before, with both methods, the hides have to be smoked! Good luck!

[@tannisjohnson6456]

Thanks for sharing this information❤

[@nancyrea3863]

Happy Birthday. Hope you had a blessed day. The hide looks terrific, I think Bandit approved. I’m always impressed when I see how well you feed and care for him. The way you both treated Bo and Bandit was the reason I first subscribed.

[@angeliquerider-mitchell2538]

Beautiful hide. It reminded me of when I was a teenager in my parents house. They had two 18" × 24" fur wall hangings, which they hung over the couch in the TV room. They were really beautiful, made out of a few different colored hides sewn together. Anyway one day I go looking for our sweetheart of a Bassett hound and found him standing on the back of the couch knawing (sp?) on one of the hangings, slowly and sensually, like he'd met his soul mate. Just wanted to share that. 🙄

[@TravisFlint1]

Bandit in the mud!!!!! Priceless! 🤣😂

[@merriemarthens7934]

I absolutely love this. You are both so relaxed and natural. I feel like I am there with you.

[@Carol-sr8my]

You cook, I salivate... imagine all the real flavours 😋

[@Carol-sr8my]

You've come a long way, . Your skills, your builds, hunting, fishing, preserving... Survival....most important together 😁

[@gracielacanessa1234]

Muchísimas gracias x poder ahora poner a traducir al español.hace años q los sigo,pero al no saber ingles solo imaginaba y miraba sus hermosos videos.Soy una abuela de Uruguay.y ustedes me hacen mas bella la vida ,mostrando su entorno maravilloso y su hermoso vivir.❤

[@thefrugalmomma]

A beautiful mat for your home or for when you go camping to keep your feet warm, I love how you both tackle things with such ease 😊

[@kensebring3683]

I watch what I can and still get something taken done during the day and then watch the whole thing again at night or 1 or two or 3:00? A.m. whenever great kids! Excellent human beings, if the rest of the world could follow their lead. Enough for me. Kenny from Western North Carolina

[@strawberryrhubarbpie]

I have a confession. It’s hard for me to watch your videos because they make me very homesick. Thank you for showing the beauty of Alaska in all seasons. Hope you get your bear soon!

[@guslonesomedove]

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Eric, Happy Birthday to youuuu! Aaannnndd mannny moooorree!

[@guslonesomedove]

My singing sounds a lot better written out than actually sung but what the hell, happy birthday anyway. Sure enjoy the videos.

[@shirleykunard9763]

Happy birthday Eric🎉

[@missmaziecat5058]

Happy Birthday Eric! Don't leave Bandit alone with that pelt ~ lol. I'm so looking forward to seeing you break ground for your garden and getting all the seedlings in! Please film the heck outa that. Happy Spring!

[@daniellemay3058]

Love the caribou hide tanning section looking forward to seeing the finished product!!!!!

[@Kjs_interests]

Fence pullers and pounders are amazing! Such useful tools.

[@cliffordbrown1585]

Y'all have such an amazing life love watching

[@sgrvtl7183]

Your caribou Pita dinner, on the trail, looked amazing! Nice to see the chickens and Bandit wandering around in the spring grounds. Excited to see what the summer brings with your garden~💚

[@cynthiafoster3564]

Happy Birthday, Eric!!!

[@johndunbar2393]

Happy birthday Eric! Many, many more to come!

[@enisasefer1074]

Happy birthday to Eric 😊

[@debbiec.1564]

Happy Belated Birthday to Eric!!🎉🎂. Ya’ll have some of the prettiest chickens I have ever seen. Good to see Bandit has found himself a water puddle to dig in. He would crack me up, back at your old place, how he would go to the little swampy area and just dig in it. He loved doing that.

[@danadowney6024]

I was wishing it was time for Arielle and Eric and much to my surprise, here you are!!! Another awesome video!!! Thanks for sharing guys!!! ♥️♥️♥️ Also, a big Happy Birthday shout out to Eric!!!🎂🎂🎂

[@user-mr2ep4tt4q]

Вы лучшие. Можно пересматривать бесконечно. Спасибо за прекрасное кино. Привет из Великого Новгорода

[@betty.mossop9843]

Happy Birthday Eric hope you have a wonderful wonderful day

[@danieldillon6436]

That is some of the best food for a doggie that I've ever seen, it's pure gourmet. Great Job.

[@patriciafuchs5970]

This is beyond cool!beautiful scenery. Envy you eating caribou , haven’t had any in 30 years!!

[@MrDeadhorsefarm]

We love the way you're not afraid to tackle new things! Don't give up on the tanning, it's a long learning experience but so worth it. Also hair of cariboo, moose, elk and deer are hollow and prone to break, you may want to tan and smoke hair-off.

[@grindlifegaming2833]

HEY HEY I caught a video early this time, im sure its gonna be a blast. Hope you are both doing well.

[@wrinklesandsprinkles]

Happy belated birthday Eric! We still have snow here in Minnesota as well. We also have more wolves in our state than any other of the lower 48! *Fun Fact* -The wolf pups that repopulated Yellowstone were from Minnesota!! There is a lottery every year to hunt a wolf here. I don’t know the details but if you want more information call the Department of Natural Resources.

[@terryfrazier2751]

Happy birthday Eric. Love the show 👍👏

[@cheskydivision]

I feel bad for the bees. Great to see spring has arrived. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eric.

[@HurricaneHeather]

Happy Birthday, Eric!!😀

[@melonyrichards937]

Happy birthday Eric. Another awesome video thank you so very much.

[@suehartwigsen1655]

Happiest of Birthdays. Eric.

[@johnensminger7675]

Great footage as usual!! So much fun!!😊 Thanks for letting us go with you guys!

[@torceridaho]

wow, that hide is a prized possession. good going

[@karynefagg209]

Happy Birthday Eric, I have said WOW to so many things that you have done or filmed in this video, from Arielle saying Oh Shit, um I mean Oh Shoot, to Bandit wagging his tail whilst he happily plays in the water, and the seedlings, how they have grown. Thank you again for sharing tidbits of your life with us. Love from Australia xxx

[@sladenevin2759]

Food was so good it made Eric mad!!! 😂

[@maryellensunflowergirl8132]

Happy birthday Eric. Wow that snow ride was awesome. Bandit is so cute playing in the puddles. Adorable. Wow that hide is beautiful. Great job

[@laurierowan1632]

Happy Birthday 🎂

[@peggsargent132]

Happy Birthday Eric