How to tan fur?

[brewer12345]

I shot a muskrat today and want to preserve the hide. Suggestions? I know I need to flesh it and salt it. What then?

[skeettx]

https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/...?topic=60240.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzqeMJHQ5tE

[dangitgriff]

[MrWolf]

Hehe - ouch

[Geezer in NH]

Cabelas has this one so do many outdoor suppliers

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Deer...8.uts?slotId=0

[CastingFool]

Look up brain tanning

[brewer12345]

Look up brain tanning

In this case, the skrat was taken with a headshot. Brain tanning not an option with this one.

[Winger Ed.]

Years ago, I brought in a deer and processed it.
My girlfriend's kid was there, and big time into getting Boy Scout merit badges.

I told him he could tan the hide himself for some kind of Indian lore badge, or primitive leather sort of thing.

He asked me about how to do it......
I told him since he was too young to have a squaw, he'd need to get his Mom to chew it.
He grabbed it and took off into the house.

I quickly learned to never do that again, but maybe you'll have better luck with the idea.

[hawkenhunter50]

I shot a muskrat today and want to preserve the hide. Suggestions? I know I need to flesh it and salt it. What then?

I have used this with a few beaver pelts. No need to salt. Flesh the hide and soak in this. https://www.minntrapprod.com/Johnny-...tinfo/JT-ITAN/

[trapper9260]

There is more then one way to tan a skin, it depends on how much you want to put into it. I used the old alum and salt way then work neatsfoot oil into it ,I also made leather out of deer hides with the same mix and that was back in about 77 and I still have some of that leather today I made a bag for my muzzle loading. There is also one you use Murphy oil soap for the brain way it is to take the place of the brain of the animal. I also done the Chrome tan way also it make the leather turn on the blue side ,for the alum and salt it is on the white to the light tan way. It all depend on what you looking for in the end for the leather.

[soflarick]

I've seen videos of people fleshing with pressure washers. I thought excessive water would cause the hair to separate from the flesh.

[umwminer]

If you just want to “preserve “ it , flesh as much fat off as you can and then stretch it and rub 20 mule team Borax into it and leave a heavy layer in the fattier areas .
Make sure the pelt is fur side out ( if cased ) as the borax will preserve it “hard”.
If you choose this method , do not salt it .

[blackthorn]

Try your local library. There are several publications explain the various processes. With respect to the advise to " flesh as much fat off as you can and then stretch it and rub 20 mule team Borax into it and leave a heavy layer in the fattier areas", you will need to get all the fat off the hide or you will have trouble later.

[gwpercle]

That's Funny !

[elmacgyver0]

I've heard of Mexicans tanning hides with urine.
Then later a saddle tanned with it while ridding in the rain, smelling like an outhouse.

[white eagle]

I have tanned deer hides with the alum method worked real well
\that was a long time ago thou /

[largom]

very little fat on muskrat pelt. do not over flesh or you will thin hide.

[472x1B/A]

If you are not in a hurry try Tannit solution. I have used this on hundreds of hides. Just follow the directions to get a good fur on tanned hide.

[brewer12345]

If you are not in a hurry try Tannit solution. I have used this on hundreds of hides. Just follow the directions to get a good fur on tanned hide.

Can you give me a brief idea of the process and time required?

[slim1836]

http://blog.flemingtraps.com/2013/12...g-instructions

Slim