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!
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.
Thank you! My son and brother went out and got a deer and I wanted to honor it as much as possible! Currently hanging in our garage and this was helpful!!
@@gageshippy2256 stretched out with a rame and rope, heres an updated video with that process timestamped in it ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html
@@bombshellmel1310 thanks, the one step this video didn’t cover is a neutralizing bath with baking soda after pickling. One ounce of baking soda per gallon of water, soak for an hour then rinse.
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
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.
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 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
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.
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 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.
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
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 $$$.
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
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
I tried this method and it worked! I did a smaller pelt (bunny) so I had to be more gentle, but the softening is slowly happening! Not as floppy as all the pelts I see at trapping conventions, but hey it still worked! I then tried it on a deer pelt that I had in the freezer for two years (life got in the way) and sadly, the pressure washing technique didn't seem to work so I used my scraping knife. Not sure if it's because my pressure isn't strong enough or the pelt being in the freezer for so long affecting it, I will have to do some testing to find out! :)
@@DanielGuillette So apparently my brother who borrowed it for 2 months lost some parts, that might be why it wasn't as strong. That or the thing is basically a vintage washer so it might be weak haha
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.
will the power washer get off the pieces of flesh that are already dried onto the hide? just a couple of spots where it's dried hard like a thin membrane
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.
After the pickling process, do I have to rinse it all out? Or already the fur part? I've got a coyote pelt I'm soaking in the solution, have to take it out tomorrow and I'm not sure what to do after drying it
@@kylesmith3211 after picking I’ll let it drip dry a hour or so then place in a neutralizing bath with water and baking soda. I’ve made a newer video that’s a bit more detailed here ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=ztyG1swPbFSbo-RO
I’m currently trying your method now. How do you know 24hrs in the pickle is suitable? I have heard a wide range 24-72 hours. I’m new so I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. Thanks
@@christopherjones7092 I’ve always done 24-28 hours without fur slipping. Afterward do a neutralizing bath in 4 gal of water and two cups baking soda. Rinse then towel dry then apply the tan formula.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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 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?
Everyone asks that. I made a new video for that reason. After pickle do a neutralizing bath with water and baking soda. The ratio of water / baking soda is at 5:51 in that video ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=5J67ZvGWgaQqNT6X
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
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.
@@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 👍
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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 ?
fur or the tanned skin? Fur is silky smooth as it can be. Leather can be rough if you leave it unsanded, but can be quite soft if sanded to be a suede...all a mater of how much work is put into it.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
@@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?
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!
@@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
@@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. ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=-irhaS_SCjcFdHGz
Try a neutralizing bath after. Then rinse. I’ve got a newer video with those steps, and it’s time stamped to skip to the neutralizing step to see the ratio of water / baking soda needed. ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=VKCQAUNBdZm45gMq
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?
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.
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 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?
@@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.
@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.
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!!
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 ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html
Updated detailed step by step tan video:
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html
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!
Valid points, thank you.
Have to say first time seeing someone using a pressure washer nicely done and have to say good job
Grear video I'm gonna have to try that next year! The fleshing with a power washer is genius!👍
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.
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!
Thank you, I’m glad the video helps!
Thank you! My son and brother went out and got a deer and I wanted to honor it as much as possible! Currently hanging in our garage and this was helpful!!
@@rebeccahaggerty5283 congrats! There’s also a detailed step by step video I made last year if you have more questions.
Just tried this process last year and it turned out awesome! Plan on doing a few more this year.
Glad to hear, thanks for sharing your success here.
@@DanielGuillette did you put two coats of the tanning formula on when you added the Mackenzie oil?
@@DanielGuillette what did you do for the stretching process?
@@gageshippy2256 stretched out with a rame and rope, heres an updated video with that process timestamped in it
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html
@@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.
Super quick and concise video! Hoping my brothers can get another deer this winter and ill be ready!
@@bombshellmel1310 thanks, the one step this video didn’t cover is a neutralizing bath with baking soda after pickling. One ounce of baking soda per gallon of water, soak for an hour then rinse.
Thanks for putting this together! Been looking at tanning my first hide, and this helps a ton!
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
Glad I was able to help. Good luck this season!
Short and to the point. Perfect video.
@@matthewghardy thank you
I think this was the best, and easiest to follow instructional. Thank you
@Jonathan Nay thank you, I appreciate the kind words!
My husband butchered our first goat today. We appreciate your video! I'm about to pressure wash the hide.
Your welcome, glad it helped
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.
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
@Chaz Martin haha! Thanks for letting me know how this video has helped, let me know how the rest of the process goes!
@@DanielGuillette no problem mann, ill definitely let you know how the rest goess, currently salting the hide right now, thanks for the helpful video👍
@@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
That’s great to hear, i recently had made a longer detailed tanning video
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html
Thank you so much for this video! Working on my son's doe hide right now!
Glad to hear, congrats little man!
Thanks for the video, I like the quick and easy technique, with a quality finished product. Awesome 🤘
Thank you 👍
I’ve always wondered how to do that! Maple deer syrup 😂🤣
Thanks, yeah it’s not as hard as it looks. And yeah my boy loves maple syrup!
Wow thank you for the simplicity!!!!! Thank you once again!
You are so welcome!
Cracked up at your boy pretending to lick the maple syrup! My son would do the same thing.
@@claytonwindhamyeah. They are fun at that age.
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.
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!
How long does it take to work the hide???
@@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.
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
Hes never tanned them.. so im trying to surprise him with my soon to be knowledge
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 $$$.
Glad I could help point out how to get a hide tanned easily, the pressure washer works magic!
Great how to video! There is something satisfying about a DIY hide tanning!
Thank you! Yeah I’m very happy with the final product.
thanks for a being concise and too the point, a great how too, thanks a lot !
Thank you!
Looks pretty good
Thank you sir!
Good video this really helped me tan my deer
@fiveseas5 Glad to hear, happy how it turned out?
Thank you😊
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.
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
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
Haha I’m glad the pressure washer inspired you! You got this, it’s gonna come out great!
Well how did it turn out?
how did it turn out?
After the salting and pickling process how do you go about cleaning off the hide? Do you just rinse it off with a hose?
@Amey Brothers Outdoors Yes after pickling rinse. Let it dry a few hours, then apply the tanning solution.
I tried this method and it worked! I did a smaller pelt (bunny) so I had to be more gentle, but the softening is slowly happening! Not as floppy as all the pelts I see at trapping conventions, but hey it still worked! I then tried it on a deer pelt that I had in the freezer for two years (life got in the way) and sadly, the pressure washing technique didn't seem to work so I used my scraping knife. Not sure if it's because my pressure isn't strong enough or the pelt being in the freezer for so long affecting it, I will have to do some testing to find out! :)
@@Dauphina2002 thanks for sharing. Do you know what psi rating the pressure is? You’d need a good 1800-2500 psi to have good results fleshing.
@@DanielGuillette So apparently my brother who borrowed it for 2 months lost some parts, that might be why it wasn't as strong. That or the thing is basically a vintage washer so it might be weak haha
Great video. Thanks. 🤙🏾
Thank you
@@DanielGuillette After pickling. Did you just rinse it with water?
Great video!
Thank you sir!
@@DanielGuillette I am tanning a deer hide right now
I'm so excited to do this!!!
Glad I could help!
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!!
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.
could you use a sprayer to dispense the taking fluids?
Yeah you could, but I prefer to brush it in after it’s dispensed.
Dude, this tutorial is amazing! Will this work with cow hide?
It would definitely work, however you’d need to multiply the amount pickle and get maybe a gallon of tan formula.
Maple deer syrup xD I died
Like and sub earned on that alone
Hahahaha thank you!
Maple syrup got my hide looking 🔥
Haha, yes!
will the power washer get off the pieces of flesh that are already dried onto the hide? just a couple of spots where it's dried hard like a thin membrane
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!
Yes it’ll keep the hair on good
@@DanielGuillette thanks so much!
Is the odor bad when you use the tanning formula and oil? Would like to do this indoors, don't have a garage
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.
@@DanielGuillette Thank you!
After the pickling process, do I have to rinse it all out? Or already the fur part? I've got a coyote pelt I'm soaking in the solution, have to take it out tomorrow and I'm not sure what to do after drying it
@@kylesmith3211 after picking I’ll let it drip dry a hour or so then place in a neutralizing bath with water and baking soda. I’ve made a newer video that’s a bit more detailed here
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=ztyG1swPbFSbo-RO
@@DanielGuillette sweet thank you so much!
I’m currently trying your method now. How do you know 24hrs in the pickle is suitable? I have heard a wide range 24-72 hours. I’m new so I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. Thanks
@@christopherjones7092 I’ve always done 24-28 hours without fur slipping. Afterward do a neutralizing bath in 4 gal of water and two cups baking soda. Rinse then towel dry then apply the tan formula.
After the pickling process, what do you do to dry the hide, and what it the purpose of the tanning process, Thank You!
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.
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!
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?
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.
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?
is this method suitable for hides you plan to use for making garments such as coats, hats, etc?
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.
Can you use a knife to get to that white layer too?
Of course. Salt the hide. Then flesh it with a knife and fleshing beam.
@@DanielGuillette okay do you think a girl can be a hunter?
Does the power washer really work that well?
Yes, 1500-2500 psi with a turbo tip works quite well.
After pickling and applying tanning formula, do you leave it in the sun to dry? Or how do you go about it?
After applying tanning formula I let it dry about a week inside my garage.
After it is clean and sat in salt and vinegar do you have to tan it? Or can I just keep it white.
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.
@ 2:06, just curious as to how you take 1 gallon of vinegar and one gallon of water and fill up a 5 gallon bucket?
I doubled up what I needed.
Pressure washer setting, psi, nozzle type please?
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.
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?
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.
@@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.
Is there a natural way to do it without the tanning formula
Yes, use the brain.
@daniel - is the result a soft hide? didnt want it to be really "crispy" as was hoping to make it into a pillow.
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.
Do you rinse the hide off after pickling it?
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.
Would it matter if I used pickling salt vs the non iodized salt?
No, they are the same thing.
Is the tanning formula necessary
Yes. It’s possible to use the brain to tan, but in this instance I had killed the deer in a cwd area and couldn’t keep the head
@@DanielGuillette okay thanks also can I leave it to pickle for a few days
@@DanielGuillette also do I need to rinse it before the pickle solution
What kind of white vinegar distilled?
I used Heinz All Natural Distilled White Vinegar with 5% Acidity
Can I just oil it for tan
No
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.
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.
Do you have a link for the deer skin tanning kit? I cant seem to find it online.
McKenzie’s website
www.mckenzietaxidermy.com/mobile/DSKD-P18357.aspx
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🫤
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.
@@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?
Very helpful thank you does this work for all Animals I assume it does just wondering???
Yes, however wouldn’t recommend a pressure washing to flesh small game, use a fleshing beam and fleshing knife.
How does it smell after everything is done?
Not rotten, like it’s been taxidermed. It’ll go away after a little while.
@@DanielGuillette what about the vinegar
Everyone asks that. I made a new video for that reason. After pickle do a neutralizing bath with water and baking soda. The ratio of water / baking soda is at 5:51 in that video
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=5J67ZvGWgaQqNT6X
@@DanielGuillette appreciate it man. Super helpful.
How long do you let it sit wrapped in a towel after pickling
Also when do you wash it
Take the hide out the pickle let it drain for 30 min, then rinse if needed.
@@DanielGuillette thank you!
Important step after pickling is to neutralize it by soaking in water and baking soda for 1 hour
Agreed
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
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.
@@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 👍
Im going to try this but I’m going to stretch it after the pickling
Yeah, that’ll help a lot!
My first year hunting deer this weekend!
@@pierre-alexandremueller2614 Awesome, good luck!
If your doing an elk hide would you double the ingredients or triple
@McKinna Cecil yes I would triple. Can the hide fit in a 5 gallon bucket?
@@DanielGuillette no but I have a tub for it
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.
Do you salt it when it’s still wet after fleshing or do you let it dry
You can let it dry, but at some point soon it needs to be salted
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.
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.
Is this an alum or vegetable tanning mix?
I’m not sure which, it’s made by McKenzie
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
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.
@@DanielGuillette okay yea I dumped it out and started over that’s what I’m doing as we speak thanks man
@@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.
@@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
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 ?
I’d definitely pickle it.
How soft is it in the end?
fur or the tanned skin?
Fur is silky smooth as it can be. Leather can be rough if you leave it unsanded, but can be quite soft if sanded to be a suede...all a mater of how much work is put into it.
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!
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.
@@DanielGuillette thanks!
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
Which step are you asking about?
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
@@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
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.
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.
great video. Have you ever removed the fur ?
No I haven’t removed fur, just tanned with fur on.
@@DanielGuillette I want to turn it into like a veg tan leather to make wallets or something.
Did you stretch the hide or did you just let it lay flat
Stretch
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.
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.
@@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?
Right I didn’t neutralize after, but if the product your using suggests to neutralize I would.
Great video-thank you! After the total process is done how do you get the vinegar smell out of the fur?
It’ll go away after a while, kinda like that new car smell.
@@DanielGuillette Thank you! I did my first hide this year. So exciting and asking friends to supply me with more.
@@wendyvanwyck9786 did you use the method I shared? Happy with it?
@@DanielGuillette yes I did and will keep with it. Works great 👍
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!
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
If done properly, it’ll last a lifetime.
@@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
@@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.
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=-irhaS_SCjcFdHGz
Hi @daniel - could you provide a link to the tanning formula and leather oil you used?
@daniel - the kit if possible, thanks!
@@andresc1220 www.mckenziesp.com/mobile/DSKD-P18357.aspx
Or
a.co/d/8sDe9cy
Can it sit in the pickling bath more than 24 hrs? Like 34+??
@Shaylen Gray yes up to 3 days is fine. Make sure to stir a few times a day throughout the duration.
@@DanielGuillette ok thank you!
Can you show how to "work" the hide to make it soft? Or is there another video to watch?
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.
How do you get the smell of vinegar out?
Try a neutralizing bath after. Then rinse. I’ve got a newer video with those steps, and it’s time stamped to skip to the neutralizing step to see the ratio of water / baking soda needed.
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.htmlsi=VKCQAUNBdZm45gMq
Thank you!
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?
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.
How did you work it over/ stretch it?
Edge of a table with the tan side to the wood.
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.
Awesome. That would work, nails or staples, nails are less holes though. You will have to keep pulling to add more tension to stretch.
@@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?
@@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.
can you reuse the pickling solution? and if so, how many times?
@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.
Good video but how long did you let it set in the salt towel? Before you put it in the bucket.
Let the hide salt overnight, so about 12 hours. Then rinse, then pickle.
@@DanielGuillette awesome thank you!
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
What step are you referring to? Adding water to the oil to soften up the tan after it’s been tanned?
Yea the thing is I put the tanning oil by itself I did not put eny water
@@woify9304 it can take a week or so for the tanning oil to dry out
It’s been more than 2 weeks and it’s still sticky
Did you flesh, salt, and pickle?
Super cool new sub here!
Is that maple syrup? Honestly like where the kids head is at
@@thebills2614 my family makes maple syrup, he loves that stuff. So yeah, he was 8 then and asked me to make pancakes after we applied tan formula.
What is the name of the tanning solution and where you bought it from. Thank you. Very informative video.
McKenzie Tan. I ordered from McKenzie’s website, they are a taxidermy supply company.
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!!
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
ua-cam.com/video/ay2qJULcZiA/v-deo.html