Raw materials

[slivers86]

Hey guys,

My mom and her bf are bringing back some elk hair patches (quite large pieces) for me, and a couple whitetail tails they figure I could use for tying. My question - how do you cure these and prepare them so I can store them and use them as is.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Redfrog]

If you are going to clip the hair off, then they don't have to be tanned. Just clean any meat or fat, flesh etc from the piece and tack to a board to air dry. Takes a day or three. It will be very hard and keep for years.

[slivers86]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

If you are going to clip the hair off, then they don't have to be tanned. Just clean any meat or fat, flesh etc from the piece and tack to a board to air dry. Takes a day or three. It will be very hard and keep for years.

What about the tail? Just slice it length wise and same?

[slivers86]

I actually just found this on another flytying forum

From Field to Fly is a pretty good resource- google it. Also there is alot on taxidermy sites.
Bucktails are simple and straightforward
1) Split the bucktail from the top (dark colored fur) by running a blade (anything sharp will do but a scalpel is nice to have) and remove the tail bone.
2) Place the tail white fur side down on plywood (if its really bloody a quick wash in dawn may be needed)
3)Spread out the tail as far as possible and nail in place.
4) Generously sprinkle borax in place (Borax is easy to find at wally world or any decent super market)
5) After a day shake off the borax and replace (its drawing out all the liquid from the tail)
6) I usually leave mine about a week or two and they will shrink and be flat.

[BC Mountain Boy]

Thats funny, I was going to post the exact question about bucktails today. Thanks guys! Is it illegal to take them off roadkill ( i know its greasy)? Just curious

Originally Posted by slivers86

Hey guys,

My mom and her bf are bringing back some elk hair patches (quite large pieces) for me, and a couple whitetail tails they figure I could use for tying. My question - how do you cure these and prepare them so I can store them and use them as is.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[1/2 oz Bucktail]

Best off contacting Fish and Wildlife office regarding salvage of roadkill.

[Flyrod1970]

here is a link on how to tan a hide.

http://www.shanepotter.com/hidetanning.html

[slivers86]

Hey guys - so picked up some tails today from a fellow forum member, got a few patches of skin as well.

I did some research and found this, a step by step guide to processing the deer tails. Hope this helps someone else

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/4521...sing-bucktails

Also I found a few charts on quality of deer hair from different sections (not sure if this would be the same for elk or not?)

http://globalflyfisher.com/staff/hel...ing/chart.html

Thanks to anyone who sent me info. I'll show ya photo's in 6 weeks or so when I am complete the entire process and dying