Deer hides

[echuck66]

I have two deer hides from this past deer season that I've cleaned and stored over winter, well salted.

I want to use them to start tying some deer hair poppers for bass.

Any tips on prepping them, including, but not limited to the following areas would be greatly appreciated:

-processing them for long term storage (can't see myself using all of the hair very quickly). I'm not making a rug or coat, so basically, how much processing is required, tips, etc.
-dyeing them (what kind of dye, best colors, how to, etc.)
-how to sites on tying bugs (spinning, stacking, trimming, etc.)

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[wgmiller]

Here's a good video on "spinning" the hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Wlqwz3iy0

I can't comment on the rest of your questions because I purchase my deer hair already prepped.

 

[BrookieChaser]

http://globalflyfisher.com/staff/helm/selecting/chart.html

I just cut the hide into squares and store it in gallon ziplock bags. I write on the dried hide where on the hide it came from and label the bags.

 

[poopdeck]

That's a lot of hair. Maybe I would keep the white belly hair and that's about it. I use to save my bucktails but I found my tails to be not as soft as the ones i bought. Not worth the hassle for me since dear hair goes a long way.

 

[echuck66]

I figure I'll end up wasting a bunch while learning, and I don't like paying what shops charge for a 6x6 square of the stuff.

Besides, if I end up able to tie some nice poppers, I'll make a lot of them. I love bass fishing, and they seem to love the hair poppers I've been throwing.

 

[sandfly]

belly hair is the best for spinning, then the sides up from belly, back is more for wings(less flare) legs are not very good