Question about frozen hides

[stombaug]

I posed this question in a previous thread, but I think it may get more response as A separate topic. Hopefully, I put it in the correct forum.

I have a number of deer hides in my freezer that I plan on tanning for clothing. They are salted and in plastic bags. Any idea of how long they can stay in there before the get to a point where they woul be no good to tan? I've read conflicting opinions, so I'm looking for some first-hand knowledge.

 

[BrownBear]

A good friend is a career taxidermist, and when I was younger I worked a few years for another taxidermist.

The answer might be different for producing leather to be used bare, but they'd keep salted capes and rugs in their freezers for a couple of years when work backlogged. No problem with slips, so long as the fleshing, turning and salting were done right in the first place.

 

[Woods Dweller]

To get hides, I would post on a bulletin board in a country restaurant, adds for deer hides. I would store then in the freezer till summer. Sometime I would have to many hides to finish in one yeas and let them sit in the freezer till next summer.

 

[Woods Dweller]

Funny story: I have two sons, younger son [Daniel] has a very week stomach And cant even clean a fish. My older son helps clean hides and has no problem. when they were around 19 & 20, my freezer Died with 5 hides in it, and I did not know it died or how long. I asked my son's to load the freezer in the truck and haul it to the dump. I told my older son : "DO NOT OPEN THE FREEZER". When they were about to move the freezer my younger son grabbed the handle and said: "Why is dad throwing this freezer away". My older son said: DONT OPE..... and the younger son [Daniel] yanked the door open. My older son said: The smell that come out hit them like a wave. My younger son instantly started throwing up, he throw up for 10 min, took a shower, & washed his clothes. Latter his brother said to him: How was that smell Daniel. He starts all over, barfing. That was 15 years ago, and to this day, you don't ask Daniel about that smell.

 

[Bill Mc]

I've had several un-fleshed hides frozen for at least 2 years. Then I thawed them out, fleshed them and refroze till I had time to grain them.

Thawed them out, grain them, then back into the freezer they went.

Later, I defrosted 2, brained both of them, then put one back into the freezer. The other I finished whick come out very soft and supple.

Then last April, I thawed the other brained hide and worked it. Soft and supple, all come out fine.

Hair on deer hide won't work well due to the hair being hollow and easy to break.

 

[Billnpatti]

I'll tell you what, Bill......that's one fine looking shirt. Ya done good!! :thumbsup: One thing that would make it look better would be if you put it on me. :haha:

 

[smo]

I've had several un-fleshed hides frozen for at least 2 years. Then I thawed them out, fleshed them and refroze till I had time to grain them.

Thawed them out, grain them, then back into the freezer they went.

Later, I defrosted 2, brained both of them, then put one back into the freezer. The other I finished whick come out very soft and supple.

Then last April, I thawed the other brained hide and worked it. Soft and supple, all come out fine.

Hair on deer hide won't work well due to the hair being hollow and easy to break.

. Excellent work :thumbsup:

 

[nhmoose]

Love that shirt. Great job! :hatsoff: