I've got a fallow hide from a buck I shot around Feb time, that was especially nicely marked. I decided to have a go at salting/curing/tanning [select appropriate jargon] the hide as a rug, but I haven't got a clue how to go about it....

Anybody feel like imparting some wisdom?

It was a very nice thick dark pelt and was the first animal I'd shot with a new rifle hence I'm interested in some form of preservation.

FB

Fallow Buck,

You are better off sending it off to have it done.

Fenland sheepskin make a nice job of deer skins.

DJM

kiri

minor check list.

did you remember to:

remove All flesh bits from the hide.

salt it.

resalt it.

put it in the freezer

good, now find a tannery in the london area, drop it off at their shop and wait about a month for it to come back.
remember to shop around as the price can vary a lot.
also remember that fallow hair are hollow so eventually it will suffer from hair loss and bald patches(dont we all with age)

best

peter

quote:

fallow hair are hollow

Kiri,

Peter's advise sage.

Not that it's impossible but in general all Deer have hollow hair; especially their winter coats. You'd be surpised at what a good sized Deer's hide returns from tanning - place-mat sized.

Not that it's immpossible - just that to hold the hair, the skin (leather) has to be shrunk alot.

quote:

now find a tannery in the london area

Forget the DIY options; you'll still have neighbors but they won't be very pleased with you.

It's a lot of effort - all that salting, scraping and massaging - and DIY skins usually look a bit scabby. I'd send it to these guys:

http://www.fenland-sheepskin.co.uk/index.htm

Costs about £25 (get Amir to drop it off en route to me )

Adam.