Wearing your hides

[reuben_j_cogburn]

I'm curious if any of you guy's have hides and such made into clothing or implements as opposed to just making rugs and having mounts made.
I'm not rich enough to afford big mounts, but getting actual use out of a hide is something I could justify.
Maybe someday I'll shoot something that I just have put on the wall and bore you guys to death with the saga of the hunt! But until then I could use a nice jacket or mitty's!!
If you do could you give me contacts to some local artisans or craftpersons who do tayloring in the game hide department? I can hemm pants and sew on buttons but thats about it!

Thanks..

reuben....

 

[bushrat]

Yes

Yes

Reuben,

We tan our own stuff here and make various winter garments like mitts, mukluks, hats. Used to make the bigger items too. I'm sure there are quite a few places in AK that will sew up hides and fur for you. Joe and Sandy Mattie come to mind in Fbks.

A vest is very simple to make out of a bear hide and looks cool. We use a lot of antler buttons, made from moose or caribou antlers. Also real easy to make and sew on. Patterns for vests, parkas, mitts, mocassins, can be had from many sewing shops, and really isn't too hard to cut the hides to size. I always found the tanning and softening to be the most difficult part of the whole endeavor. Once you have the hide(s) tanned and ready to go it all goes together easily, just a matter of time with needle and thread or sewing machine. And there is a great feeling of satisfaction in doing it yourself. A sewing awl and the knowledge of how to use it is a must for us out here.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[fishermann222]

more expensive

more expensive

If you think a mount of an animal is expensive, try paying to get the hide tanned, then finding someone to sew it. (Or tan yourself like Mark does, then it is cheaper) You will pay more what a mount would cost. skin sewers who are good at it generally charge a fortune to sew in the villages, and rightfully so, it is very hard work. It is more cost effective to use furbearers to make things out of, beaver hats and mitts, otter hats or mitts, wolverine or wolf ruff, etc...

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

thanks!

thanks!

Hi Bushrat! Been meaning to write back! I'll have time to do that this weekend!
Hey Fishermann.... yeah, there ain't nuthin cheap these days! But I guess if I'm gonna pay I'd like to get somethin I could use. I probably wouldn't have everything turned into clothes thats for sure! And maybe one day I would consider tanning my own, but I gotta take baby steps!!!.........

Money is tight (at least at the moment), but I thought I would ask anywhoo. It's something I would like to have as an option!

Thanks guys!


reuben....

 

[martentrapper]

You can legally sell capes, hides, and antlers from game animals, except bear. There is a fairly good taxidermy market for ungulate capes and antlers. Check the regs for the details. Once you turn your hunt products (not the meat of course) into cash........they can become any type of clothing you want.
If your living far from normal sources of goods, skin/fur clothing can make sense. Generally tho, modern clothes far surpass skin/fur products in usefulness, and toughness.