Best way to work with back skins and hides

[Jeffrey Masters]

All of my hides from my last trip to Namibia were sent treated only, and not tanned. I am left with a pile of skins folded, and hard as bricks. These would be almost impossible to ship in their current state, and I am ignorant of how to work with them without damaging or destroying them. My taxidermist does tanning, but does not normally do African mounts and does not deal with skins in this condition. Is tanning these hides manageable for a lay person, or should I bite the bullet, box them and ship them to a tannery? I appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[Firebird]

Don’t try them yourself. Find a taxidermist that actually does African game and use them or send them off to a tannery. That will be expensive and talk lots of time. Do you really want the back skins that badl?

 

[Jeffrey Masters]

No sir, I do not want the back skins badly. There are two flat skins that I would like to have and use, possibly for rugs, or wall hangings. I feel idiotic for having the back skins sent at all. I should have left them in Africa.

 

[Mekaniks]

Maybe @gizmo can help you out…

 

[Hunt anything]

If you really don’t care how they turn out, why not hydrate them and try it yourself? You’re already into them for the dip&pack and shipping, it wouldn’t hurt to try it yourself.
The couple of skins that you would like to save , pack them up and send to a tannery to use as rugs or whatever you like.

I’ve found several uses for backskins, pillows and table top covering so the finish doesn’t get scratched. Full skins as rugs and chair backings.

 

[Jeffrey Masters]

Any recommendations for a respectable honest tannery? I am in Kentucky.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’ve used The Wildlife Gallery in Michigan.

 

[steve white]

No sir, I do not want the back skins badly. There are two flat skins that I would like to have and use, possibly for rugs, or wall hangings. I feel idiotic for having the back skins sent at all. I should have left them in Africa.

You are not alone! Many of us got excited and shipped home the back skins, especially back when it was a bit less expensive. I have had them shipped both tanned in Africa (a much better choice) or shipped as yours were--hard as a rock. They have been dried in salt no doubt and WILL soften up. Taxidermists will take care of that and probably also take off some of the "flesh" that needs thinning and is not necessary. I have seen them thinning hides down with a big electric driven wire brush wheel. They just have to have the experience for it. I cannot recommend anyone now, as mine were done long ago.
Don't give up, and remember--you had a reason to save them, Get creative. You also already spent a lot, so spend a little more and let the experts help you, IMO

 

[Philip Glass]

No sir, I do not want the back skins badly. There are two flat skins that I would like to have and use, possibly for rugs, or wall hangings. I feel idiotic for having the back skins sent at all. I should have left them in Africa.

We all did it the first time thinking it was one and done. What to do with back skins? You must decide but don’t waste money on them if you don’t have a use for them. Same with flat skins.
I have a neat mountain zebra back skin that we keep in our bedroom. Very few others around

 

[buck wild]

Unless you are experienced in tanning, I wouldn't try to tackle these by yourself. Lots of pitfalls that could occur along the way, especially if you want them soft. I do find it a bit odd your taxidermist couldn't handle it.
As for sending them off to a "tannery", very few will accept from the public unless you have a business account set up with them as a taxidermist/shop. There's a place near Dallas called North Texas Tannery that will accept from the public. You want "dry" tan, not a wet tan.

 

[Jeffrey Masters]

Thank you gentlemen, I really appreciate the help and support. I inventoried all the skins I received and it seems like all of them except the couple I specifically asked to be caped are full skins, so I have decided to have them dry tanned and used them on beds or on the couch. Last question on this subject, Better to just dry tan them, or have them rugged? They will never be on the floor. Again, thanks for the help!

 

[buck wild]

If you are just looking to make throw hides over furniture etc, a good dry tan by itself will be good. I only recommend rugging for those hides that you want to be completely flat. Rugging hides can add quite a bit more money.

 

[Russ16]

So if I want to have something made form a hide. Like a belt or gun case from my Buffalo. What’s the best way to bring the hide back? Do I have it sent straight to a tannery here?

I’m not talking about hides with the hair on but having them turned to leather and made into items.

 

[buck wild]

So if I want to have something made form a hide. Like a belt or gun case from my Buffalo. What’s the best way to bring the hide back? Do I have it sent straight to a tannery here?

I’m not talking about hides with the hair on but having them turned to leather and made into items.

Hair off tanning is a specialty thing and not done by too many tanneries here in the US. Those items might be best to have done in Africa, which I don't recommend often