How many of you guys tan your own fur ?

I'm not talking about sending hides to a commercial tannery.

I'm talking about doing it yourself. Brain tanning, egg tanning or what ever method you may use.

What's your preferred method and why ?

I think BOCO has posted some really good info on this. Eric

I have to agree BOCO has some fantastic information! What I can offer you is I use TruBond products! And the first Fox I did with their stuff was extremely easy, safe and 3.5 years later the leather is completely soft! The reason I tried their product is I only have use of 1 arm! And the Company and testimonials were the best when it came to ease of “ breaking”! And to my surprise and thankfulness. The breaking could not have been easier! I was amazed at how easy it was to stretch the leather. And as I pulled the leather ( held between my knees and pulled with one had! Added so you can see / imagine how easily it stretched) I could see it in real time as I pulled, the leather turned a milky white and was instantly soft! I even did a Fox after he was on the board, dried and waited because of circumstances until June with one of them! Just rehydrated the pelt in 4 gallon of 100 degree water, 1lb salt, 4oz of their Lipo 55 and 4oz citric acid. Just stirred pelt a bit every 5/10 minutes for an half hour. Then followed their instructions from there. And it turned out just as nice after hanging in fur shed for 5 months before starting the process as the ones I was able to do soon after skinning!

I think brain tanning is so cool. The thought that the entire animal has everything it needs to tan its own hide is mind-blowing.

IV done some small things. Nothing big enough to do anything with taxidermy grade chemicals. I received Boco's^ tutorial and it's about right with everything IV learned.

I hope the weather cools off enough to get serious about trapping sometime soon. We're still going to be in the 70's come November 1st.
Still catching fish left and right and my brain is ready for trap'n weather !