Submitted by Brent on 3/19/99. ( )
Hi, I am really new to all this and I need a litte help. I have a buffalo
hide that I is frozen right now. I am going to flesh it and salt it in the
next few weeks. I need a good recipe for pickling it and for tanning
the hide while leaving the hair on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I live a long ways away from any taxidermy shops so I may not have
access to specialty solutions. Thanks for the help
This response submitted by Rob on 3/19/99. ( )
I would have to recommend a commercial tannery for a buffalo hide.Remember a bufalo hide may take 3 or 4 saltings to pull everything out of the hide.The commercial tanneries are properly equiped with the right equipment to get a good soft tan on such a large thick heavy hide.Unless you have good experience tanning hides (which you probably don't or you wouldn't be asking this question)and the proper equipment I definately would not try the buffalo at home.
Good luck
This response submitted by Bruce Rittel on 3/19/99. ( rittel@ici.net )
Robs advice should be well taken. Buffalo hides are bulky and awkward to handle at home, and unless also shaven on a shaving machine 2-3 times - it isn't worth all your effort. I'm assuming you don't have a shaving machine - and if that's true, and I were you, I'd send it to a Tannery. Don't feel bad - even some Taxidermists (with Shavers) don't want to tan them in their own shop.
This response submitted by John C on 3/20/99. ( )
I would use reputable tanner, buffalo really are not any worse than elk, except bigger. I do flesh mine on the fleshing machine then salt and rub the salt in once dri you will be amazed at how light and thin it will dri, but once tanned it will be thick and plump. John C
This response submitted by Janie on 3/24/99. ( )
Tannery is the only way to go, Its enough work just getting them ready
to go there very dirty usually have manure stuck in balls to there fur
Don,t worry about getting this out tho just send as is but do give it a good
fleshing and salting and after this drains salt again and again wouldn,t hurt
hang and let dry but not so stiff that u can't fold it to but in box or
sack for shipping. It will come back nice and clean and soft from the
tannery. It will be money well spent.