Road kill sporran in wating

[tyger]

One way to get quality hides for sporran-making is to pick up road kill. Of course, one will want to be picky in their approach to this. One will want the kill's corneas to still be soft and moist- that way one knows that the kill is only an hour or two old. This time of year, an absence of flies or yellow jackets at the kill is another sure sign of freshness.

In the past I have only picked winter fresh kills that have been bumped or rolled, not squashed. The pelt quality is unsurpassed.

However, I have been seeking a fawn, and they are not available in winter. Here, the whitetail fawn's hide has been salted 48-hours, scraped clean, and is now ready for a 72-hour pickle:



Notice the hide scraper that I made from a comfortable sized piece of wood, a hacksaw blade, and 2 nails. This tool works better than any other tool that I have ever used:



After the picke, the hide will be neutralized, washed, tanned, and softened. One of the best ways to soften a hide is to work it over a dull metal edge, then put it in the clothes dryer and tumble it on the No Heat setting for as long as it takes.


A few words of caution: 1) be acutely aware of automobile traffic, 2) observe the kill site for any vermin on the animal (fleas, ticks, lice) or around the animal (snakes, predators). (I got growled at one time as I collected a beaver. I could not see who was growling- the sound emanated from dense vegetation. I was in bear country.), and 3) Wear gloves when skinning animals such as raccoons. There is a remote possibility for the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, in this case from roadkill animal to human animal. The risk of transmission of a blood-borne pathogen from human animal to the other animal exists among living animals; however, it doesn't apply in this roadkill scenario.

[turpin]

OK Tyger. Keep taking pix of your progress on this hide. Future Bambi sporran in the making, from raw skin to man-bag.

[Riverkilt]

And beware of them little critters living on the skin/fur of the deceased critter that now need a new host for a home....

Ron

[tyger]

And beware of them little critters living on the skin/fur of the deceased critter that now need a new host for a home....
Ron

Good point there, Ron, regarding vermin on the animal. That reminds me: wear gloves when skinning animals such as raccoons. There is a remote possibility for the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, in this case from roadkill animal to human animal. The risk of transmission of a blood-borne pathogen from human animal to the other animal exists among living animals, thus, doesn't apply in this roadkill scenario. I went back and edited the post. Thanks, Mark

OK Tyger. Keep taking pix of your progress on this hide. Future Bambi sporran in the making, from raw skin to man-bag.

Well, you know Turpin, I am so far behind on so many things that I hate to say: It is going to be some time before this fawn starts his next life as a sporran. It will probably join ranks with the armadillo, red fox, possum and coon in the library, at least for a while. Maybe winter?

[NCMC]

Thanks for the idea about the hide scrapper. Cheaper than buying a new tool.

[tyger]

Yes, that little home-made scraper has a humble appearance and a benign demeanor. It doesn't look like it would do much, but let me say: that thing works like a charm! Lay the hide hair side down on a flat surface. Rake off tissue with a raking motion, and when you build a ridge, lay down the tool pull with your fingers. When tissue clings to the little blade teeth, just pop it off and keep raking.

The biggest 2 problems I have had in fleshing hides is 1) putting an unwanted hole through the hide, and 2) having to work too hard to pull off what needs to be pulled off. All fleshing tools need to be sharp- but not too sharp, and dull- but not too dull. This tool solves both problems.

There are many hide preparation schemes. I salt the hide, wrap it in newspaper, and let it sit 24 hours in the refrigerator, then shake off the salt and re-salt, re-wrap in paper, and let sit 24 hours in the refrigerator. This time/salt/temperature has resulted in better condition hides than any other combination.

[piperdbh]

If you're ever tempted to skin a skunk you find in the highway, don't. And if you do, keep a water hose nearby. And if you get it skinned and discover a little fleshy pouch about the size of a shooter marble located where you think the stink gland should be, don't mash it. And if you do, spray lots of water to dilute the smell. And if you do all this, your neighborhood will smell like skunk for three weeks. Really. And if you get it skinned, then you've got to do something with it. I learned all this back in June. The hard way. It's still in the freezer.

Tyger, I really like that 'possum. Does it still have the tail attached?

[lasrl]

Yes, that little home-made scraper has a humble appearance and a benign demeanor. It doesn't look like it would do much, but let me say: that thing works like a charm! Lay the hide hair side down on a flat surface. Rake off tissue with a raking motion, and when you build a ridge, lay down the tool pull with your fingers. When tissue clings to the little blade teeth, just pop it off and keep raking.

The biggest 2 problems I have had in fleshing hides is 1) putting an unwanted hole through the hide, and 2) having to work too hard to pull off what needs to be pulled off. All fleshing tools need to be sharp- but not too sharp, and dull- but not too dull. This tool solves both problems.

There are many hide preparation schemes. I salt the hide, wrap it in newspaper, and let it sit 24 hours in the refrigerator, then shake off the salt and re-salt, re-wrap in paper, and let sit 24 hours in the refrigerator. This time/salt/temperature has resulted in better condition hides than any other combination.

I'm curious. What are your wife/fiance/girlfriend's, or roommates (if any are applicable) thoughts on having a hide in her fridge for a couple of days? Just wondering about her reaction. I don't think I could get away with that one; maybe if I had a hidden beer fridge in my shed, that might work.

[tyger]

Possum got tail! Though, I am not sure how to deal with that when it comes to the construction phase. I am tempted to lop it off.

Now, when it comes to putting the hide in the refrigerator- or the clothes dryer- you will be encroaching on the woman's domain. There are 2 options: 1) don't do it, or 2) do it.

For me, I just did it. Oh, there was the usual "You arent' going to put THAT in my refrigerator/clothes dryer, are you?" "Of course I am" is the only reasonable reply.

Of course, Carol understands these things a little bit more than most women. During the course of my career as a veterinarian, it has been necessary for me to have a lot of things in the house, and in the refrigerator or freezer. And there have been discussions, and short 'tours', from time to time. So, she has built up some 'immunity', so to speak.

Here is what you need to do: discuss why it is "No problem." For example, say things like "It is just like a shoe, without the chemicals." And, "It is all wrapped up in 3 layers of paper (it has been my experience that multiples are reassuring to most women) and I also put it in a little plastic bag."

You really should not be experiencing further resistance, or a problem, at this point. If you are, then there is a sign that the other party is being unreasonable, and you must take that into account.

[Bigkahuna]

How do you keep the hair from falling off the deerskin?? I've tried making pouches with the fur on and after awhile they get kind of ratty looking as the hair falls off.