Hides for braintanning - elk, deer, coyote

[LochWoodsman]

Hello all,

I practice traditional braintanning to process hides into buckskin.

Tis the season and I'm looking for hides fresh off the beast or frozen.

Pretty sure the law says I can't give you money for hides but if you're interested in seeing more of your kill go to good use send me a message!

I'm in the Calgary area, can't go too far.

Thanks!

[gs100bert]

where do you get your brain matter and would your hide not come from the same place ? for instance i shoot a deer i get a hide and the brain from the animal . also how much brain is required to tan a hide ?

[HunterDave]

From what I've been told there is enough brain in the critter to tan its hide.

[bush monkey]

You will need more than just its brain for good coverage. I would gather a few pig brains or something from a butcher so you have enough.

[LochWoodsman]

Originally Posted by gs100bert

where do you get your brain matter and would your hide not come from the same place ? for instance i shoot a deer i get a hide and the brain from the animal . also how much brain is required to tan a hide ?

Personally, I do not hunt (yet) but some good friends of mine are hunters. I got some brains from them once, which I still have and am saving for a rainy, brainless day when I am in need of them to finish some hides.

Normally I like to wait until there's a few hides to brain, then throw some brains in a pot, make a brain slurry and give each hide a nice soaking. In theory, every animal except a bison has enough brain in it's head to tan its own hide.

[LochWoodsman]

Originally Posted by bush monkey

You will need more than just its brain for good coverage. I would gather a few pig brains or something from a butcher so you have enough.

I believe that butchers by law are not allowed to sell/give brain matter away due to the risk of disease. As far as I know the only sources of brains are those cut out of hunted animals.

[chimpac]

I used all the brain material from each coyote on the hides and it made them quite pliable. It is an easy way to do it but I am not sure it meets the standards that the public demands for a tanned hide. Maybe some more treatment is required.