To help preserve the quality of your hide, keep the hide away from direct sunlight, rain and excessive heat. We recommend skinning the animal as soon as possible to prevent deterioration and ensure the best possible tanning results. “How your hide turns out will be determined by your efforts.” For this reason, hair-on hides are not guaranteed but every effort will be taken on our part to do the best possible job. Quality and service are foremost in our minds and repeat business is our mainstay.

Carefully remove any excess meat and fat from the underside of the hide using a dull-edged tool, such as a blunt knife, paint scraper, or beveled pipe. Avoid using sharp tools that could cut or damage the hide. Be sure to de-bone the tail as that will result in a $20 de-bone fee.

After fleshing, allow the hide to drain briefly, then lay flat and cover it with about 3/8 inch of salt, working the salt thoroughly into all folds and areas of the skin. For alligator, fold in the appendages, roll the hide, and store it in a cool, dry place out of the sun. For 2–3 days (5 days for deer and 10 days for steer) while moisture drains. Once draining stops, remove the old salt, re-salt, roll up and place inside a plastic bag secured tightly. This bag should be placed in another bag, tightly secured, then placed in a box and shipped to us.

Do not place hair on hides directly on concrete floors.

For drop offs, no appointment is needed. You may drop off your hide during our business hours: Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)