SALT Your Own Hides - Half the Cost, In 1/3rd the Time!

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on salting and drying animal hides, a crucial skill for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. By learning this process, you can save money, minimize the risk of spoilage, and receive your hides back in a fraction of the usual time.

Step 1: Prepare for Field Processing

• Field Prep Importance: Proper field preparation is essential to maintain the quality of the hide.
• Key Actions:
  • Before processing, ensure the animal is handled quickly and carefully to prevent spoilage.
  • Aim to skin the animal promptly in a clean environment.

Step 2: Gather Necessary Tools and Salt Type

• Essential Tools:
  • Razor blades or fleshing knives for skinning and fleshing.
  • A fleshing board to assist with hide preparation.
  • Apron to protect your clothing.
• Salt Selection:
  • Use non-iodized salt for salting hides, as it is more effective and helps prevent spoilage.

Step 3: Prepare the Hide Before Salting

• Initial Steps:
  • Remove excess meat and fat from the hide using a sharp knife.
  • Ensure that the hide is free from any contaminants and dirt.
• Fleshing:
  • Flesh the hide on a board to remove remaining tissue.
  • Work from the center towards the edges, applying even pressure to avoid damaging the hide.

Step 4: Assess Hide Readiness for Salting

• Indicators of Readiness:
  • The hide should be clean, free of hair, and have no remaining fat or meat.
  • A properly fleshed hide will feel smooth and flexible.

Step 5: Salting the Hide

• Salting Process:
  • Spread a generous amount of salt evenly over the flesh side of the hide.
  • Ensure the salt penetrates all areas, especially around edges and thicker parts.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Avoid using too little salt; insufficient salting can lead to spoilage.
  • Do not rush this step, as thorough salting is critical.

Step 6: Drying the Hides

• Hanging the Hide:
  • Hang the salted hide in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
  • Ensure it is not in direct sunlight to prevent damage.
• Monitoring:
  • Check the hide regularly for moisture and reapply salt if necessary.

Step 7: Managing Dripping Hides

• Dripping Process:
  • Allow excess moisture to drain off the hide.
  • Place a container underneath to catch any drips, preventing mess and contamination.

Step 8: Final Salting and Shipping

• Final Steps:
  • Once the hide is adequately dried, apply a final layer of salt.
  • Pack the hide securely for shipping to a tannery, such as Moyle Mink & Tannery.

Conclusion

By following these steps on salting and drying hides, you can effectively preserve your game while saving time and money. This skill is beneficial for any hunting enthusiast looking to maintain the quality of their hides. As you gain experience, consider refining your technique and exploring more advanced tanning methods. Happy hunting!