Tanning an elk hide

[7mmfan]

I saved the hide from the bull I killed recently, to have tanned. It's something I've always wanted. I just talked with a taxidermist close to home and he basically told me that if I brought it to him, he would salt it, box it, and send it to a tannery, either here in WA (Centralia Hide and Fur), or out of state somewhere. That I would be better off just getting it to them myself.

I looked up Centralia Hide and fur and I'm guestimating that I'm looking at $650-700 to have it tanned at $17 a sq. ft.  I knew it would be pricey, but I didn't think it would be that pricey.

I've seen self tanning kits like Quliceda Tanning has on their website, but I have no idea how to start or how easy they are to work with.

Is there any guidance out from anyone who has done this before, or knows a taxidermist who does their own tanning? I really want this done, but I don't know that I can afford that at this time, and my freezer space is dwindling fast.

[CP]

These guys did a bear for me.  Reasonably priced and the work seems fine.  Came back kind of shrunk up and wrinkled though.  I need to figure out how to stretch and soften it up.

http://www.promiselandranch.net/

[7mmfan]

Their prices are more on par with what I was envisioning. Thank you for the link.

[7mmfan]

These guys did a bear for me.  Reasonably priced and the work seems fine.  Came back kind of shrunk up and wrinkled though.  I need to figure out how to stretch and soften it up.

http://www.promiselandranch.net/

@CP
Did you ship the hide to them, or deliver it?

[CP]

I shipped it UPS.

[7mmfan]

How much did that cost?

[CP]

I think it was $400ish - it is a small bear & they charge by the foot.

[7mmfan]

The shipping itself, do you remember what that cost?

[CP]

$30 or so

[7mmfan]

That's not nearly as bad as I imagined. Ok thank you for the information, that is very helpful.

[pianoman9701]

You might PM elkboy. He has more tanned hides than I've ever seen in one house. 

[7mmfan]

on it

[Encore 280]

Maybe check out Moyle Mink & Tannery in Idaho

[7mmfan]

I just spoke with Rick at Cedar River taxidermy and he was very helpful. I think I'm going to be dropping the hide by his place this weekend unless I come across something substantially better closer to home. Thanks for all the input guys.

[jagermiester]

When I was living in Montana. (18 years ago mind you )
We took a deer hide in to turn into a rug, to hang over the back of the couch turned out great. $30
I miss those day's