Jump to content
Fly Tying
Sign in to follow this  
mcfly

Save Those Deer Tails

Recommended Posts

Many fly fisherman use deer tails for all sorts of flies. At 5 - 8 $ each you could easily save yourself 50$ or so by tanning your own. Most hunters throw these along with the pelts away ask your hunting buddies if you can keep them and save yourself some cash. The steps to drying them are quite easy.

 

Once the tail is removed from the deer work the base of the tail bone loose to the point you can grip it. Then twisting side to side work the the tail bone out of the skin. It should come out leaving the skin behind. Slice one side of the tail open and clean out any left over flesh. Salt with mortons pickling salt and dry. Drying should take a day or two at the most. The tail will be very stiff.

 

Keep in mind that the tail may contain ticks and or other critters. Multiple freezings will usually kill these.

 

Also if you wish to dye the tail remember to redry it afterwards. (search on kool aid dying)

 

There are many other topics about tanning on this forum, use the search button and type tanning.

 

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...