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What is possible for a rug from a whitetail deer hide, hair on?

You could do a flat hide only or full rug with mounted head and feet.

Can it be made soft enough to use as a small blanket.

Soft but not suitable for a blanket in my opinion. Best used as a throw over a sofa/chair, hung on wall or left on floor. A rug and a blanket are two very different things.

Will it shed?

Some. More so if you use it as a blanket or if it gets walked on. Some shed more than others.

Can I send the hide directly to the tannery?

Sometimes. Many tanneries are wholesale for taxidermists only. Others take in hides from hunters.

Where should I cut for best end result?

depends on how much skin you want to save. Normal flat rug would be straight up belly center line from vent to base of head. Then cut up along the underside of each leg. Also split up the center underside of the tail to remove the tail bone. (google this and you will find some diagrams that will show you.)

How far up the legs and neck should I cut?

For flat rug, a few inches down from base of head behind ears. Legs anywhere you like above knee joint. (find a diagram online that will show where to cut, sorry I do not have one handy.)

Do I need to have a border or trim to keep the edge hair on?


No but a backing and trim will make a more durable and attractive rug imo. A rug backing makes it a rug and not just a skin. Will be a rug not a blanket.