I'm 15 and average trapper and hunter but I don't have money for the kits or for pro tanning I would like some info on tanning squirrel, raccoon, rabbit as well as some bobcat and coyote instead of getting costly mounts I figured on doing it the old blue collar way.I've been reading Van Dykes catalogs and looking at the chemicals used and figured I could do some on my own I've been using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water to kill the growth of bacteria letting it sit for several hours rubbing it in during (helps keep the hair in tacked)then place it on a board let dry for few minutes and cover completely in salt (non iodized) an inch thick and let sit in shade out side for a long time its been 2.5 -3 weeks since I started (with squirrel pelt) now the hide is drying out and looking nice and white on the opposite side of fur but not completely all the way 1more week ought to finish but still has a little smell to it . If there are and comments tips or info I could surely us It I could be doing it all wrong for all I know but going good so far. I love to hunt and I don't shoot every thing I see , but we have a big varmit problem and its in my freezer and my mom aint to happy bout it so I figure all you hunters out there remember when you where young and had many unanswered questions you could surly help me .......thanks
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Salt DOES NOT tan! It removes all the water from a hide and keeps it from spoiling, but that's it. The fact is, you will have to use some chemicals to tan. There are many methods, but if you want to tan, you will have to spend some money. Do a search in the archives of this site and you should be able to clear up some of your questions. If I were you, I'd salt everything I have that I want to tan and save your money until you can afford a kit or professional tanning.
continue with what im doing now then do i put back in the freezer till i get a kit and is there any specific kit cause there where quite a few in Van Dyke's catalog.
after the hide is salted and completly dry then it will be stiff. You can then keep it you dont have to freeze because all the moister will be out of it... just try to keep it in a cool dry place away from excessive heat and water/moister and they will be fine.
what if i live near the coast and the humidity is pretty bad usually after afew days after i put the salt on it the hole thing becomes one hard solid piece and i have tap with a stick to get it to break off. is the humidity going to be a problem ...thanks for everyones advice.
I'm not too familiar with all of Van Dykes tanning products, but I think the Liquatan kit p. 255 is probably as easy and as fool-proof as it gets. If you want the hide real soft,I'd also get some Liqua Soft p. 254.
For the absolute beginner, I would use curatan. It makes a soft enough hide for rugs or wallhangings, and with a little more breaking, garment tan. Its a one step tan after the pickle, no oiling. thats just how I tan my small animal pelts.
http://www.braintan.com/toc.html
Check out this website. There may be something you can do at home
without much expense.
In my opinon, Curatan is great for soft pliable wallhanger skins. It penatrates those thinner skins. It is also easy to break small game hides, streach it around for 5 min. and the hide will be broke, but do it before it is completly dry!