Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 12:07:52 pm

Title: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 12:07:52 pm
I got a couple deer hides in trade some time ago.
One got a little wet and dank, smells like hide glue.
Maybe a dumb question, can I put it in a washing machine?
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: Pat B on November 20, 2016, 01:23:24 pm
I don't know why not. Id use clod water though. Hand washing with Dawn would probably be as effective without leaving hair, etc. in the washer.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: aaron on November 20, 2016, 01:26:28 pm
"No, honey, I have no idea why our clothes would smell like roadkill, why?"
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: Pat B on November 20, 2016, 01:28:30 pm
...not the kind of "natural scent" you want with your cloths.  :o
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: aaron on November 20, 2016, 01:31:19 pm
I would start with a bucket of warm water with a little bleach...soak it for a day.If you are gonna braintan it,  Next I would buck it (soak in wood ash lye) and then neutralize/acidify. Then freeze.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 02:13:29 pm
Should of mentioned, the hides are already processed. They were roadkill deer, and they were quite stiff. They've been folded up for a while, so there's pretty heavy crease marks.
You think soaking in some bleach over night, then letting dry out flat on some plywood would maybe solve both problems? I just don't want to ruin it
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 02:13:58 pm
The wife is pretty used to my odd smells :D
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: aaron on November 20, 2016, 03:46:48 pm
what do you mean "processed"? Already tanned, or just rawhide? If they are tanned and smoked, I'd handwash 'em with a tiny bit of soap and dry them quickly but without heat- like wring well , spread on a towel and put a fan on 'em inside. Once dry, pull them soft.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 06:17:54 pm
They are just rawhide Aaron. It's just been so cold and wet I worry they won't dry quick enough.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: aaron on November 20, 2016, 06:44:50 pm
if they're rawhide, then I'd just soak in a cold mild bleach solution for a day, then soak in plain cold water for a day, then wring them thoroughly, line dry with a fan on 'em or just freeze. to wring them, look at the method on wilderness college dot com.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: Oglala Bowyer on November 20, 2016, 07:47:00 pm
Do you plan on tanning them?  If so, the smell will come out if you smoke it...that is if you smoke it. I've done that to all my funkadelic hides. Works every time
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 20, 2016, 10:23:06 pm
Good info thanks guys
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: BowEd on November 20, 2016, 11:44:18 pm
Wizardgoat....For future storing you should just get it flat.Rewet it in a plastic barrel with preferably soft or rain water till good and loose and lace it into a frame to dry.You did'nt state what your intentions are for it.Brain tan/chemical tan/or hair off rawhide.
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 22, 2016, 06:38:22 pm
I'm hoping to keep it raw, hair on, used for quivers and stuff. It's soaking right now
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: aaron on November 22, 2016, 11:42:49 pm
oh, it has the hair ON? you never said that!!
might be hard to get it dry.
good luck!
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: wizardgoat on November 23, 2016, 12:18:50 am
Ya..I have a drying station set up, hopefully it's all good. Cheers
Title: Re: Question about a deer hide
Post by: BowEd on November 24, 2016, 09:47:01 am
Lacing it into a frame will dry it.If your in no hurry a few days with no sun at room temp will get it dry.A fan on it will help too if your in more of a hurry.After wet you can sew up any holes that are in it too before it dries.