Elk have thick hides for cold weather climates.
Tanning an elk hide is possible at home but you must be prepared for a labor-intensive process. Elk have large hides and you will spend several days washing and scraping the hide. The hide may be tanned with the hair on or off and the finished product is a supple material that is ideal for decorative and functional purposes. The elk hide is thick and sturdy when compared to smaller game animals and it works well for clothing, rugs and blankets.
Instructions
Washing
1. Attach the hide to a plywood surface by pounding finishing nails through the corners. Place the fur side down on the surface and remove the flesh and fat from the skin with a fleshing knife. Scrape the hide until the majority of the visible material is removed.
2. Wear rubber gloves and rub two pounds of non-iodized salt into the skin. Use extra salt if necessary and cover all of the exposed skin. Set the hide at an angle to allow moisture runoff and leave the skin to dry for one night.
3. Remove the nails and fill one large plastic trashcan with cold water. Place the hide into the trash can. Use a stick to ensure the hide is completely submerged and leave it for ten minutes. Wear the rubber gloves and work the skin with your hands until it is soft and all of the salt has been removed.
4. Remove the hide from the water and hold it for several minutes to allow water to drain. Place the hide on the plywood with the fur side down and replace the nails. Scrape the flesh and fat from the hide with a fleshing knife.
5. Place 10 gallons of water in a plastic trashcan. Add 9 oz. of borax and 6 tbsp. of liquid dish soap. Submerge the hide in the solution for one hour to remove the grease. Remove the hide and rinse with cold water until the soap is removed from the fur and skin. Hang the hide on a wall steep surface until the bulk of the water is drained.
Tanning
6. Place 3 gallons of water in a plastic trashcan. Add 2 lbs. of aluminum sulfate to the water. Mix 8 oz. of washing soda, 1 gallon water and 1 lb. of non-iodized salt. Stir the two solutions separately to dissolve the ingredients. Pour the washing soda mixture into the trashcan with the aluminum sulfate.
7. Push the hide into the solution with a stick to ensure it is fully submerged. Leave the hide in the solution for one week.
8. Remove the hide with rubber gloves and rinse it with cold water to remove the chemical mixture. Lay the hide on an angled surface and allow the water to drain from the fur. Place the hide on the plywood and replace the nails.
9. Place the hide tanning oil in a pot and warm it on a stove or in a microwave. Apply the oil to the skin with a soft brush. Apply oil until the hide is supple and will no longer absorb the oil. Leave the hide on the plywood for three days to air out the smell and completely dry the hide.
Tips Warnings
Tan the elk hide outside of the home or in a garage. Tanning creates a variety of foul smells that will create an uncomfortable living situation inside of the home.
Do not use metal containers with the chemical tanning mixture. The metal containers react with the solution and stain the hide with various colors.
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