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Big fella into buckskin/Smoking/Lots of pics./Items made

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BowEd:
Looking at the hide after smoking will totally reveal every scar on it.This deer had been shot a couple of times with a three way broadhead.But lived.Since I figured he was at least a 5 to 6 year old animal he had been in many fights and the scars along his neck and shoulders reveal that.His neck is over 18" wide.The final tally of square footage is right at 14 square foot finished.About right what I figured it would be.

BowEd:
I wanted to mention that if a person does'nt fix the holes before smoking a small wad of toilet paper stuffed into it will smoke it nice and evenly right up to the edges of the hole.Otherwise leaving the smoke come out of that hole will produce a very dark area around the hole from the smoke when finished.

DC:
How long did you smoke this one Ed? Equal time both sides?

BowEd:
Yes just shy of an hour each side.I let it smoke for a half hour then check the color of it and go from there.Hotter the smoke the darker the smoke job generally.I try to find a happy medium.
The cut off 30 gallon barrel's edge on the ground gives you the option of poking a hole along the edge for draft to coals but normally that is not needed.I keep it sealed up tight usually.
Getting the hide suspended with no folds etc. so smoke gets to every square inch can be challenging but doable.More poles can be laid into the tripod to help this.I made some leather strings with alligator clips on each end to hold the hide more openly.Needle and thread works good for me too.That's why this set up in the wind creates streaks on your hide.
This smoking is what I call curing the hide.Before[white brain tan] it's susceptible to bugs/dogs/water and whatever else likes to eat meat....lol.Smoking actually does'nt waterproof it.Water does not repel off it.Water will still actually run right through it but when it's dry again just a little scuffing or light roping will make it soft again.Animals will leave it alone.Misquitos will stay off it when wearing it.
I'm lucky Robin does'nt mind the smell of a smoked hide in the house.It pretty much smells the whole place up like hickory....lol.

lebhuntfish:
Beautifull results Ed! I can tell you have had a lot of practice. You made it look easy and doable for a novice. You gave us plenty of information to get the job done. Thanks for carrying us along with you. And congrats on taking the nice buck this old hide was attached to.

Patrick

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