Deer hide is an ideal material to use in numerous projects. From insulation to scraped rawhide used for cordage and containers, deer hide provides both utility and cost efficiency in one versatile material.
Recovering maximum value from your deer hide is made easy with just a few easy steps. Discover how to frame soften, tan and smoke deer hide for optimal hunting results.
Make a Blanket
Deer skin blankets are both natural and traditional materials for producing blankets. Not only is the fur insulating, but its unique markings add visual interest.
To create a deer hide blanket, you will require fresh deer skins as well as some supplies. Gather these: large plastic trash barrel; 8-gallon tub; plastic sheeting or an old tarp; 6 feet of 4-to-6-inch diameter PVC pipe for fleshing beam; sawhorses and sheet of 4-by-4 plywood as drying rack; protective gloves/eyewear and stirring stick (I use an old piece of 1-1/2-inch PVC pipe that measures 4 feet long as my stirring stick); protective gloves/eyewear; protective gloves/eyewear; protective eyewear; protective gloves/eyewear; stirring stick (I use an old piece of 1-1/2-inch PVC pipe that measures 4 feet long); protective gloves/eyewear and stir stick (I use an old piece of 1-1/2-inch PVC pipe measuring about 4 feet long as my stirring stick!).
Hides can also be used to craft wall hangings, rugs, hats, lap blankets and other home-tanned products. Depending on how you want the blanket to look, adding an inner liner may complete its appearance.
Before proceeding, it is necessary to remove all fat and skin from the deer hide using a dull knife.
Once the skin is clean and free of dirt and debris, secure it to either a flat piece of plywood or square frame made of dimensional lumber. Next, apply a thick layer of non-iodized salt over all areas that might become damp during tanning to help prevent rot and prepare the hide for tanning.
Repeat the process two to three times until your hide has been sufficiently tamed; once this step has been accomplished, tanning it with ammonia alum solution can begin.
Blend a batch of the alum solution in your garbage can and soak your hide for four days, shaking occasionally to ensure all parts of the skin have been adequately coated. Within several days you should see that it begins drying out and looking fresher than ever.
At this point, your hide will be ready to tan using neat’s-foot oil and water as the final step. Apply half of this mixture on its flesh side; wait an hour; repeat as necessary – your finished tanned hide should feel soft and flexible enough for use in future projects!
Make Shoes
Deer hide is an ideal material for crafting shoes, especially moccasins, due to its soft yet protective qualities against elements and arch support. While slightly more costly than cowhide, deer skin will stand the test of time while looking great too!
Deer hide leather has long been valued for its versatility in both shoemaking and other leather applications, from clothing to utensils. One of the oldest forms of leather production, deer hide has been utilized across cultures over centuries.
To craft shoes from deer hide, the first step should be tanning the hide. There are two methods for this – using traditional brain oils from an animal or opting for the faster chemical process.
Tanning the hide is an essential step, as it makes the skin more flexible and manageable. Without proper tanning, however, the hide may become stiff and difficult to work with.
Traditional techniques involve submerging hides in water until their hairs have been removed, which allows for easier manipulation. Native Americans utilized this process extensively when creating clothing.
Lime solutions offer another method for tanning hides. Simply combine 10 gallons of water and one quart of lime in a plastic bucket or trash can before submerging your hide into it for two to four days of soaking time.
Once the hide has soaked for 24 hours, scrape off any hair or skin with a large knife before hanging it to dry for at least another 24 hours.
If the hide is particularly thick, sanding it down may be necessary before it can be extracted from the lime solution. This will produce an evenly white hide that will be easier to work with.
Lime-soaked hide can then be used to craft moccasins or other footwear that is both easy and enjoyable for crafters of any level – creating something your friends and family will be delighted to own! The finished product will make an exquisite and personal gift.
Make Keyrings
One of the most useful items you can craft from deer hide is a keyring. Not only are these keyrings useful additions to any bag, they also make perfect presents for hunters in your life who can be difficult to buy for!
Deer hide is an excellent material to craft a range of keyrings out of, from hair-on pouches with drawstring closures and zippered large leather bags with internal compartments to drawstring pouches for dog treats and cell phones, through small change purses to handbags.
The ideal deer hide keyrings are those made with chamois-tanned leather, which feels soft and woolly to the touch. This process takes approximately one year and produces some of the finest leathers around.
Making a deer hide keyring from beautiful leather is the perfect way to show off your hunting prowess while staying current with fashion trends! Plus, this project makes an excellent first attempt as its tactile experience will have them hooked!
Make an eye-catching deer hide keyring with creative techniques like lacing and beading; adding magnets for easier opening. Lace can also add some character and interest, creating something truly one-of-a-kind instead of plain old keychain.
Selecting an ideal keyring is equally as essential, so read through your instructions closely so you can become acquainted with the process and avoid any obstacles along the way. Once you know how it works, create a variety of useful, customizable pieces for yourself and your loved ones!
Make a Map
Deer hide is an extremely versatile material, and can be used for numerous projects. Hides can be transformed into leather goods, scraped to make cordage or containers, tanned for more durability or scraped for use as cordage.
Tannining deer hide is an engaging project with multiple advantages; its simple but rewarding nature make it ideal for anyone looking for an engaging activity. Although patience is required, watching as your hide reveals soft folds like silk is incredibly satisfying.
Tanting hides can be done either professionally at a commercial tannery, or you can do it at home using common pantry items and tanning oil. Doing it yourself makes for an exciting weekend project for anyone wanting to learn how to tan hides and create leather goods!
First, prepare the hide for tanning. Depending on its type, this could involve stretching it out or tacking it in place before applying a thin layer of salt as this will prevent excessive drying and keep the hide more flexible.
Once the hide has been salted, allow it to rest for 24 hours before beginning work on it over a pole or table to loosen and smooth down its fibers. As this process can take time and patience to complete successfully, be patient as this ensures your hide remains manageable.
Once your hide is soft and supple, fleshing can begin. Fleshing requires using a skinning knife and fleshing pole to cut through and remove excess fat and meat from the hide without cutting or puncturing its fibers. A sharp blade should also be used so as not to damage it while fleshing.
Once the hide has been properly treated, it can be transformed into whatever form is desired. One simple approach would be creating a hair-on pouch; more creative minds might also try making bags with zippers or internal compartments.