Don’t wait too long to flesh the hide after you’ve skinned the deer. If the hide begins to decompose it won’t hold up during the tanning process. Use a fleshing tool intended for scraping flesh from a hide, rather than a knife. Sharp tools could pierce the hide and damage it.
The salting process takes a day or two if the proper amount of salt is used. Keep adding salt to the hide until it dries out and becomes crispy. Cover wet areas of the hide with more salt.
2 gallons water 1 1/2 gallons bran flake water (Make this by boiling 1 1/2 gallons of water and pouring it over a pound of bran flakes. Let the mixture sit for one hour, then strain and reserve the water. ) 8 cups salt (not iodized) 1 1/4 cups formic acid 1 box baking soda 2 large trash cans 1 large stick, for stirring and moving hides
Make sure you wear gloves and take other precautions to prevent getting burned from the acid.
Drying racks can be purchased at game shops. These wooden structures are useful for holding the hide in place while it dries. The hide should be stretched across the drying rack, rather than simply hung up. Otherwise the edges will curl.
You can use gloves to apply the tanning mixture if you’d prefer not to use your bare hands. When you’re finished applying the tanning solution, roll up the hide and place it in a large food storage bag or freezer bag. Put it in the refrigerator for 24 hours to give the brains time to soak in.
You can also use a heavy rope to soften the hide. Another way to soften it is to take it off the drying rack and worth with a partner to run it back and forth across a log or bench.
When the flames have died down and the fire begins to smoke, add smoke chips to the fire to create more smoke and keep it alive. Close the open part and leave a small vent through which you can add more fuel to the fire. After half an hour, turn the bag inside out and smoke the other side.
