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Deer Skin Crafts

Deer have an abundance of uses beyond their meat. One of the best resources are their tough hides, which, when tanned or otherwise preserved, give several yards of leather or complete hides. These hides are useful for many crafts, from something as simple as leather laces and ties to purses and totes.

Bags and Totes
- Leather that has the fur removed from the hide is useful for making purses, backpacks and totes. Cut the deer leather into a pattern like cloth and sew it together with thick needles and heavy thread or leather laces. Use heavy-duty needles so they do not break or bend against the leather, which is much thicker than the cloth most needles are made to work in. Deer leather may be dyed to give consumers choices of bags and totes beyond a variety of browns.
Pet Toys
- Many pets love the scent of deer and will readily eat venison. This makes deer leather an ideal pet toy if it was treated with pet-safe chemicals. The fur may or may not be left on for the pet. Tie scraps from other deer-skin projects in a knot for smaller cats, dogs, ferrets and birds to allow them to roll, chew and shred the leather. Discard the toys when they begin to come apart.
Jewelry
- Jewelry from deer skins can be anything from bracelets to collars. When cut into laces or into strips, deer skin can be braided into bracelets or necklaces and secured by tying them at the ends, then tying the ends together around the wrist or neck. Decorations on earrings can be made with deer skin, such as loops on metal fasteners. Make collars by cutting away a strip of deer skin in the proper length and width, then sew interlocking snap grommets into place on the ends.
Clothing
- Vests, chaps, shirts, hats and pants are all examples of clothing that can be formed from deer skin. If making clothing, solicit an experienced leatherworker's advice before you begin. Leather will rest on the body differently than cloth, suede or pleather and must be measured in a different way for a proper fit.
Complete Skins
- Complete skins, with the fur, hooves, head and all the other features of the body, may be used as wall hangings, table coverings or rugs in low traffic areas. These may also be mounted on very large wooden plaques for display. Tanning a full deer skin is a time-consuming craft, but you create an eye-catching and soft, pliable decoration for your home.

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