Brand new at trying taxidermy. Trying to read as much as possible and have ordered videos. My question: if I want to hang a deer hide (no head or feet) on the wall do I get it dry tanned?, or is dry tanning for mounts only? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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dry tans are especially for wall hangings like your deerhide. You would not want to get that one wettanned. Wet tan is for mounts. You can also get capes for mounts dry tanned but then you have to rehydrate them before mounting them up. You never want to rehydrate a wallhanging as the hide will get stiff when it dries and will loose its softness.
I mainly make indian tan buckskin, so have no experience with dry tan. But I did one deer hide that I pickled, neatralized, oiled and softened. Upon leaving it in an unheated building over night it drew damp and hardened. Don't know about anyone else, but I want a tan that I can get wet with no ill effects.
Not trying to start anything, just curious about what you call a true tan?
I was having trouble with trying to figure out a way todo do a wall hanging hide of a pieballed doe. Well be it that it may i simply fleshed the hide used soduim sulfate to salt the hide ,wrapped it up skin side in and left in fridge over night,took out next morning washed in cold water with some dawns antibacterial dish soap.
Tumbled it for 15 minutes then shaved the hide down more. finished that and used some of ben mears spray tan on the hide. stretched it out fur side down on a piece of plywood.tacked down the edges with small brads. left it set and dry for a week at room temp. removed the hide and sprayed a little water on the fur and brushed it out.
the hide now hangs in my livingroom, with not 1 single problem. and it looks beautiful.
Hi Pete,
Sorry none of these dummies ever addressed the title of your submission. Pete, this is why I am here... ya know? Yes Pete, deer do indeed hide. And quite well I might add. That's what makes hunting them so much fun though!
Phantom... for real answers!