How to Tan a Deer Hide for Mounting

When tanning a deer hide for mounting, let the hide air dry. Don't dry it in the sun.

Some hunters may want to have some memorabilia of certain deer they kill. Perhaps their first kill, or an especially large buck. Tanning the deer hide will allow you to mount it on the wall along with the antlers or other parts of the deer you choose to keep.

Things You'll Need

• Long-blade knife
• water
• 1 lbs. lime
• 1 gallon hardwood ashes
• 20-55 gallon garbage can
• vinegar
• Fine grit sandpaper
• 1 lb. alum

Instructions

1. Skin the deer. This should be done as soon as possible after the deer is dead. Remove the hide carefully so that it remains in one piece. Scrape the flesh off the hide. You may want to hang the hide on a sawhorse or something similar to help this process.

2. Dip the skin in water. A large garbage can typically works for this process. Mix lime and hardwood ashes in with the water. This mixture helps loosen the hair. Let the hide soak for two to three days. Rearrange the hide about twice a day. Rinse the hide thoroughly with fresh water after it is finished soaking.

3. Scrape the remaining hair off the hide. Use your sawhorse for this procedure to drape the hide hair-side up. Rise the hide again with fresh water.

4. Soak the hide in the garbage can. This time, use a mixture of 2 qts. vinegar along with water. Leave the skin to soak for about 24 hours. Frequently mix and rearrange the hide. After 24 hours, remove the skin and clean the garbage can. Refill it with fresh water. Dissolve alum into the water, mix and dip the hide into the new solution. This time, it should soak for six to eight days. Again, check and rearrange the hide several times a day.

5. Rinse the hide. Use fresh water and give it a good rinse for 10 to 15 minutes. Spread out the hide on a flat surface and gently rub the entire hide with sandpaper. Let the skin air dry before mounting.

Tips & Warnings

• Neat's foot oil will help the skin become more supple after the hide is completely dry. If you choose not to tan the deer hide right away, sprinkle salt over the hairless side, roll up the hide and place it in the freezer.

• Do not place the deer skin in the sun to dry.

References

• Manataka: Deer Hide Tanning
• Learn Taxidermy: Deer Hide Tanning for Mounting Purposes