Elk hide

[Labs07]

I guess this is more for the taxidermists but anyone who can give me some advise would be greatly appreciated.  I've killed numerous Elk over the years and have always just left the hide in the woods.  Well my wife would like to have my next Elk hide tanned with the hair on so the question is.  How do a properly take care of the hide from the field to taxidermist for tanning? 
Thanks for the help!

[Encore 280]

I did an elk hide a couple years ago or should I say had one done. I scraped all of the meat and fat off and salted it down really good. I bought a couple of the bags of salt from Cash & Carry or one of those places and put a really good layer on it and let it dry til it was almost like cardboard and almost to where you couldn't fold it then I gave it to a taxidermist friend and he sent it in. Came back really nice. I spose you could freeze it too until you can do something with it. Good luck.

[Michelle_Nelson]

After you get your animal down.  Make a cut from the anus up the center of the belly to the head.  Then cut from the knee up the back of both back legs to the anus.  Then cut up the side of the front leg accross the chest to the other front leg and up the side of that.  Then cut around the head and all 4 legs and skin the animal.

Once the hide is off lay it in the shade to cool while you take care of the meat. 

You can either take the hide immediately to the taxidermist or when you get it home fold it in half (front leg to front leg.....back leg to back leg) skin side together.  Than fold it in half or thirds depending on the size of the freezer.  Lay it on a plastic bag in the freezer and let it freeze.  Once frozen put it in a couple plastic bags to prevent freezer burn.

[pianoman9701]

After you get your animal down.  Make a cut from the anus up the center of the belly to the head.  Then cut from the knee up the back of both back legs to the anus.  Then cut up the side of the front leg accross the chest to the other front leg and up the side of that.  Then cut around the head and all 4 legs and skin the animal.

Once the hide is off lay it in the shade to cool while you take care of the meat. 

You can either take the hide immediately to the taxidermist or when you get it home fold it in half (front leg to front leg.....back leg to back leg) skin side together.  Than fold it in half or thirds depending on the size of the freezer.  Lay it on a plastic bag in the freezer and let it freeze.  Once frozen put it in a couple plastic bags to prevent freezer burn.

No salt, Michelle? This sounds easy.

[FSTaxidermy]

Labs07,

In general, remove the hide from the elk as quickly as possible and then keep it cool and dry, then get it to your taxidermist as quickly as possible. Do not salt.  If you are unable to get to your taxidermist then fold skin to skin and put in freezer once cooled down.   

I would recommend finding a taxidermist before you go hunting.  If you have a taxidermist in mind, then call them and ask them how they would like you to take care of it.

second, if you don't have a taxidermist then call around and find out how long it will take, and how much it will cost, prices will vary greatly.  Ask around for references on quality and other, soft skin elk hides are not cheap anymore.

third, once you find a few taxidermist that you like, then go to their shop if possible and check out the end product or if they have an internet presents then look at their quality on line.  Most will ship out of house to a tannery, but some will do the tanning in house.  The end product will vary on softness and finished edging.

Your on the right path by asking before you head to the woods, good hunting!

[Labs07]

Thanks for the replys all, I really appreciate your expertise on this.

[Michelle_Nelson]

After you get your animal down.  Make a cut from the anus up the center of the belly to the head.  Then cut from the knee up the back of both back legs to the anus.  Then cut up the side of the front leg accross the chest to the other front leg and up the side of that.  Then cut around the head and all 4 legs and skin the animal.

Once the hide is off lay it in the shade to cool while you take care of the meat. 

You can either take the hide immediately to the taxidermist or when you get it home fold it in half (front leg to front leg.....back leg to back leg) skin side together.  Than fold it in half or thirds depending on the size of the freezer.  Lay it on a plastic bag in the freezer and let it freeze.  Once frozen put it in a couple plastic bags to prevent freezer burn.

No salt, Michelle? This sounds easy.

Nope.  No salt needed if you can get the hide to a taxidermist right away or you put it in the freezer.