A Description of the Pre-smoking Method of Brain Tanning by Paul and Victoria Dinsmore. Very interesting online book. Brain Tanning Deer Hides Kind of an updated old-world approach. Preserving a Hide with the Fur On by Cynthia Senicka. Tanning Deer Hides and Small Fur Skins Deer hides and small fur skins can be tanned at home.
Tanning requires few tools, and chemicals required for most methods can be obtained locally.
Because possession of wildlife pelts is governed by game laws, consult your local game warden before you begin. N ative Americans have been using game animal hoofs and dewclaws for centuries to make rattles, bandoliers and decorations for countless items. Using these raw materials helps create another tie back to Mother Earth where all these gifts come from. The hoofs and dewclaws of whitetail and mule deer, the hoofs of antelope and the dewclaws from small elk can all be used easily. In this article, I will discuss preparing deer and antelope hoofs for use and touch briefly on preparing deer and elk dewclaws.