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How to Salt a Hide

Tanning furs or hides to make leather is an ancient preservation technique that has been used since prehistoric times. Before the tanning process, hides and furs are very delicate and prone to rapid deterioration. This is why curing a hide with salt is an important step to take if tanning cannot begin within a day or so of the hide being removed. Salting hides in the field while on long hunting trips is the best way to preserve them until you can get them home or to a taxidermist for tanning.

Things You'll Need

Hide
Dull knife
Large, flat surface
Salt
Large bucket or other deep-sided container

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the hide out, hair-side down, on a large, flat surface. Using a dull knife, carefully scrape off any remaining flesh or fat.
- 2
  Liberally apply salt to the hide. As a general guideline, use one pound of salt per pound of hide. Work the salt into the hide making sure not to miss any folds or creases and working right out to the edges.
- 3
  Leave the hide to dry. The salt will draw out moisture, so if you have room you can hang the hide with a bucket underneath. Or you can tilt the surface that the hide is laid out on so that any moisture release drains away from it.
- 4
  While the hide is drying, repeat Step 2 every two to four days, covering any exposed spots with new salt and working it in again. Depending on the size and thickness of the hide, it should take between 10 and 20 days for the salt to remove all the moisture.
- 5
  To store the cured hide, roll it up with the flesh-side in and place it in a cool, dry environment and out of direct light.

Animals & Science