I have a plague of woodchucks this Summer. Dozens of the little (and some not so little) boogers, digging bunkers under every solid object on our business property. I hate to just waste an animal, have been hearing about people eating "whistle pigs" forever, also heard that their hides yield a very durable LEATHER, suitable for boot laces, mocassin soles & other hard use items...
Could someone point me towards good hide preparation and tanning information? I've looked at a few videos, most are geared towards keeping fur on, I'm interested in smooth, reasonably flexible leather. Would prefer vegetable tan, hexavalent chrome or finished leather that rusts steel on contact would not do for my uses-
Back in the 1940s, my father told me he used to earn money for practice ammo removing woodchucks for farmers in upstate NY... I'm starting to understand. And he left me the .22 Hornet rifle he used. Probably would go for that, although I've heard some use live catch traps baited with apples.