alligator tanning

[gregg frost]

hey guys got my first alligator of the season 11ft 11in very fat.dont want to sell the skin would like to keep it.was told i need to tan the skin they want over a 1000.00 and i will not pay that much.im just a good ol boy from florida before we just salted any skin we kept and left it to dry for about a month.would like some tips on how to tan this hide.i would prefer a natural finish but if i cant have that i understand.thanks for the advise and i have permits for 3 more alligators.

[oldshaver]

Are you talking about $1000 for tanning? Most tanneries will charge around $25.00 per foot. Click on the suppliers link-top right, then go to wholesale tanners. You should find someone there for around $300.00 plus shipping. Maybe a little more, but under $500.00 for sure. Tanning a gator at home, that big, will be a lot to bite off!

[gregg frost]

yeah i can see your point but i have been skinning animals for 25 years and we allways just salted and dryed is this not good enough because i dont want it to change colors want it natural.and yes the 3 places down here in florida wanted 1000.00 for tanning will check out links for here but can i cure the hide naturally how did they do it 150 years ago?

[gregg frost]

hey guys thanks found a post from before in archives gives step by step not that hard of a process

[RP]

gregg

I do my gator hides myself using Rittels supplies, in my garage.  Works great for a tanned natural appearance wall mount type hide.  It's the process for making the hide usable for clothing, purses, shoes and such that is much more involved.

[oldshaver]

Dont forget to clean out that head good, or its gonna stink in a month!