Questions from a new guy

[82Dead]

The first question is from my curiosity. What does everyone do with the fur bearers they kill?
The second question is about my intentions with fur bearers that I hopefully get. I would like to try to tan some of the furs I get in the upcoming season and make things such as hats from them. Does anyone else tan the furs themselves? If so what methods or products do you use? I have seen a few kits available from different trapping supply companies and wonder if anyone else buys these kits? The one that caught my attention was Rittel E-Z 100 tanning kit. Has anyone else tried this one? I had one fur sent to a tannery in NJ last year and it cost me $13.00 and I am pleased with the tan, I would just like to try it myself to see if I may achieve the same tan for making some things such as the hats or other garments. Any info would be great.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CoyoteJeff]

I sell all my fur to a local buyer. I have used the one tanning formula to tan a rabbit and deer hide for fly tying only but not sure what the name of it was. Comes in a orange bottle Not a bad tan but If i was going to make stuff I think I would send it out and have it tanned.

[Leglifter]

Jeff, was it "trappers hide tanning formula"?
I did a deer, coon, muskrat, and oppossum with that stuff and they all came out stiff

[CoyoteJeff]

Bob yea i think that is what it was. Mine where stiff to start with but if you work the hide it does loosen up some but not a lot.

[Leglifter]

I worked mine pretty good too, but still alittle too stiff for a garment.
The oppossum came out the best because of the thin leather.
I did hear that you have to thin the leather as much as you can to get a softer tan.
A fleshing machine would be nice, but I've heard of guys using a wire wheel.

The first question is from my curiosity. What does everyone do with the fur bearers they kill?
The second question is about my intentions with fur bearers that I hopefully get. I would like to try to tan some of the furs I get in the upcoming season and make things such as hats from them. Does anyone else tan the furs themselves? If so what methods or products do you use? I have seen a few kits available from different trapping supply companies and wonder if anyone else buys these kits? The one that caught my attention was Rittel E-Z 100 tanning kit. Has anyone else tried this one? I had one fur sent to a tannery in NJ last year and it cost me $13.00 and I am pleased with the tan, I would just like to try it myself to see if I may achieve the same tan for making some things such as the hats or other garments. Any info would be great.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I ship my fur to NAFA, put up, to sell at the auction.
The cost of tanning an animal isn't bad, but the shipping will kill ya.
Try vandykes site for some self tanning formulas.

I would love to find one that does a nice garment grade tan.
Let us know how it works when you're done

[CoyoteJeff]

A idea that may help you some is talk to your local taxidermy since I think the tan they do is alot like a garment tan. It would safe on shipping cost. 

Here is a tanning formula that is suppose to work good but i have not tried it so can't say for sure.

2 lbs of salt.
250 grams of Alun.
100 milligrams of borax.   
2 gallons of water.

-Boil untill everything is melted down.
-Wait untill it cools then add 1 tsp of Sulfuric Acid. Rubber Gloves at this point on!
-Make sure all the skins are submerged in the sollution. Put weight if needed.
-Ready in 4 days.
-hang or stretch to dry. ready in 3 or 4 days. Bend the skins to get it soft.

[waterfowler1183]

All our fur that is to be tanned and at todays prices a lot of it does goes to New York.  All of the prices are beyond reasonable and its my belief I can get it done there for about the same price as if I try to do it myself.  With less headaches.LOL

[swarter2]

WaterFowler,

There is a tannery in Telford, East Coast Tannery, they do all their own work on site.  They are fairly priced.  They do most of work for the taxidermists in the area.

[waterfowler1183]

Whereabouts is that located I know I usually try to round up all my buddies that want stuff tanned and send at the same time.  Shipping usually adds up to about a buck per hide so it isnt too bad.  Would like to try this other tannery with a few hides to see the difference

[swarter2]

East Coast Tannery Inc

www.eastcoasttaxidermy.com

261 W Broad St
Telford, PA 18969-1925
(215) 799-1900

[waterfowler1183]

Thanks for the info I will give em a try this fall.

[uncle buck]

Predators are real trophies to some of us too....So we have the skulls bleached and if you get a coyote in the summer you can get the head mounted.. The snarling coyote will look good hanging over your bed.  Right above the head board on the wall.  You know right where the Mrs. can look up at it as she is laying there with you in bed.  LOL LOL

[waterfowler1183]

I know ive bleached some deer skulls.  Are there any problems with doing furbearer skulls being that they might be thinner or weaker.  Anybody know?

[Critterslayer51]

Tony, somewhere on here I saw a picture of someones fox skull they had professionally bleached, and it looks really cool...its on the forum somewhere. Someone was asking about who knows someone that bleaches/uses the beatles....

[Critterslayer51]

haha it was a few threads below this one 

http://www.ppha.us/smf/index.php?topic=1152.0