re-tanned?

[troy]

I know this is a STUPID question but I told a custmer i would ask. He has an old mule deer hide that has been tanned for 15 years. The hiar is starting to come out of it pretty much as he uses it as a throw blanket.  His question is ...could it be re-tanned to save it. i told him , "Sorry, but no. It's shot." He was persistant in that he was told by someone it could be re-done. I told him, in a bit of a smart azz way, to get that person to do it. Didn't mean to get ignorant (well maybe a little ) but he didn't want to hear my answer. NO!! I told him it sounded like a good reason to book a hunt and shoot another one. Still he kept it up about this re-tanning so I told him I would ask some experts to see what they had to say. Hence my question. Can an old hide be "re-tanned?"

[cyclone]

If it is 15 years old and the hair is just now falling out, it isn't from the tan...More than likely bugs or just plain ole wore out from use.  They don't last forever and 15 years is pretty darned good for having used it in that manner. 

[troy]

Thanks for the confirmation, Cyclone. I kinda told him the same thing. That is was wore out.  And, like I said, sounds like a good reason to go try and shoot another one.

[Clara D.]

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure Cyclone is right. Some of my pelts are well over 60 years old and they're in pristine condition. I don't think there's anything you can do at this point. If he wanted it mounted, he should've taken better care of it.