I can't agree with this at all. Taxidermist hair is brittle and dry.Originally Posted by jcntheriver
Processing your own deer hide will give you hair that is clean and pliable. There is an oil that is secreted that keeps the hair water proof. Some of this oil remains after washing and makes the hair a joy to work with.
The very best deer hair comes from a fall bow season deer. Winter hair has oxidised tips that are not hollow. The winter hair is dark because of the oxidised tips and catches warmth from the sun for the animal in the winter. A fall killed deer is light color and hollow all the way to the tip of the hair.
Deer hide is easy to care for. Scrape all membrane and fat from the flesh side of the hide. Work from the neck down. Wash in a mild detergant and rinse well. Use warm water, not hot. Streatch the hide and let dry. If the weather is warm you can rub on some borax to help cure the hide and to keep flies off the hide. Do not use salt. If scraped well, flies won't bother the hide.
Good luck with your deer hide project.
fishbum
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