stiff hide

I have some elk deer moose hide. Dont think its tanned all the way, but its pretty clean. Thing is its awful stiff. Any ideas on how to soften it up some? Also got a chunk of what I think is Black Bear. Any ideas on what to do with bear hair?

Nothing...

If the hair is fine, the stiffness of the hide is irrelevant.

Almost all of the deer hair I use for bass bugs and such is on dried, not 'tanned' hide...i prefer it to the tanned stuff, it spins better for me.

Bear hair makes great wings and tails, and the underfur is decent dubbing.

Buddy

Most ffishing hide material is air dryed and stiff. No need to go to the expence of tanning unless you plan on making gloves etc. BILL

If you want to soften any hide try rubbing -in a little glycerin that you can get at any drug store. I have done this on capes and saddles where continual flexing is a normal action.
The chemical is ingestible and used in making medicines so don't worry about any toxicity.

Clyde,

As mentioned, the stiffness of the hide has nothing to do with the quality of the hair. Just use it.

The bear hair is used as winging material on a lot of PNW steelhead flies and trout flies. If your into chasing steel you have a great material there.

REE

Thanks guys. Ree Ive got a big chunk of bear. If Vee needs some mayby we can do a little horse tradin

I have a stiff hide today, too. But I think it's from mowing the lawn yesterday.:p

Still laffin Betty. Ya always cut to the chase. Thanks