How to Tan Deerskin With the Hair on It
- 1). Lay the deerskin on a sawhorse with the hair down. Use a sharp knife to scrape off all the flesh and fat that is still clinging to the skin. This is very important, as any tissue left on the skin will prevent the hide from tanning properly on that spot. Sprinkle a layer of non-iodized salt over the skin.
- 2). Fill a plastic garbage can with water and add the deerskin. Soak it until the hide is soft and pliable; change the water a few times during this process. Remove the deer hide and drain the garbage can. Pull the skin across the edge of the sawhorse with a sawing motion until it is more supple. Scrape it again, using the back side of a knife. Be very careful not to expose the roots of the hair.
- 3). Mix 2 1/2 pounds of salt and 4 gallons of water in the garbage can. Thoroughly mix 1 pound of ammonia alum in 1 gallon of water in a separate plastic bucket. Carefully pour the ammonia and water into the garbage can and stir it with a sturdy wooden stick. Add the skin and soak it for six to eight days. Use the wooden stick to stir the skin twice a day to ensure that all parts of it are exposed to the ammonia and salt.
- 4). Remove the skin and rinse it thoroughly under running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Tack the wet hide to a piece of plywood, fur side down. Keep it in a shady area out of direct sunlight. In a plastic bowl, mix 3 1/2 ounces of water, 3 1/2 ounces of neatsfoot oil and 1 ounce of ammonia. Rub half of the mixture into the skin of the deer when it is partially dry. Wait an hour for the oil to absorb into the hide, then rub the rest of the oil into the skin. Cover the deerskin with a plastic sheet, and let it rest overnight before finishing the tanning process.
- 5). Use a wet cloth to dampen the skin. Remove the hide from the plywood and stretch and pull it across the edge of the sawhorse again. Wipe the wet cloth across the skin to redampen it, then rub in a very thin layer of warm neatsfoot oil. Remove excess oil and water with a dry, absorbent cloth. Continue to rub and stretch the skin until it becomes very soft and pliable, adding small amounts of oil as needed. Finish the softening process by rubbing the deer hide with a pumice stone.
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