HOW TO TAN ANIMAL HIDES - THE EASY WAY(360P)

HOW TO TAN ANIMAL HIDES - THE EASY WAY | Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners 🐾

**Description:**
Transform raw animal hides into soft, durable leather with this simplified, beginner-friendly tutorial! Whether you’re working with deer, rabbit, or coyote hides, this video breaks down the process into manageable steps. Perfect for hunters, homesteaders, or crafters looking to preserve hides sustainably.

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### **Step-by-Step Process**
1. **Preparing the Hide**
- **Skinning:** Carefully remove the hide from the animal, ensuring minimal flesh remains. Fresh hides are easier to work with, but frozen hides can be thawed first .
- **Fleshing:** Use a pressure washer (1800 PSI recommended) or fleshing knife to scrape off fat and tissue. Tack the hide to plywood for stability and wear safety gear to avoid mess .

2. **Salting & Preservation**
- Generously apply non-iodized salt to the flesh side to draw out moisture and prevent rot. Fold the hide flesh-to-flesh, store in a cool place, and reapply salt after 24 hours .

3. **Soaking & Washing**
- Soak the hide in a saltwater bath (½ lb salt per gallon of water) for 6–8 hours. Avoid hot water to keep hair intact. Wash with mild dish soap to remove grease, then rinse thoroughly .

4. **Tanning Solution Application**
- Use a commercial tanning formula (e.g., from Bass Pro Shops) or a homemade brain-oil mix. Warm the solution, apply evenly with a brush or gloves, and let it soak overnight .

5. **Softening & Drying**
- Work the hide while damp to soften it: stretch over a rope, fence, or concrete edge. Sand the flesh side with coarse grit for a suede finish. Air-dry in a ventilated area .

6. **Optional Smoking**
- For traditional durability, smoke the hide over a small fire using rotten wood or sage. This step waterproofs the leather and adds a rustic aroma .

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### **Key Tips for Success**
- **Avoid Decomposition:** Flesh and salt immediately to prevent bacterial growth .
- **Hair Retention:** Limit soaking time if keeping hair on, and use Dawn soap for gentle cleaning .
- **Tool Alternatives:** No pressure washer? Try a grinding disc for thick hides or a fleshing beam for precision .

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### **Materials You’ll Need**
- Non-iodized salt
- Pressure washer or fleshing knife
- Rubber gloves & safety glasses
- Commercial tanning solution or brain oil
- Sandpaper, wooden poles, and a drying rack

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**Why Tan Your Own Hides?**
- **Cost-Effective:** Skip expensive tannery fees.
- **Eco-Friendly:** Use every part of the animal sustainably.
- **Customizable:** Create leather for rugs, clothing, or crafts!

**Hashtags:**
#HideTanning #DIYLeather #AnimalHideTanning #HomesteadingSkills #SustainableCrafts #DeerHideTanning #TraditionalTanning #PressureWasherHack #BrainTanning #FarmToFashion
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