Cows and Bison

If you plan to have your cow or bison tanned it is best to notify the butcher and tannery in advance.  This will prevent the skin from being tossed into a tote, barrel or box. Cows and bison retain a lot of heat, folded or wadded up, that heat has no escape.  This means the hair may slip within a short amount of time. Leave the skin open until it is fully cooled. Then the skin can be left in truck open on the way to the tannery. If you cannot bring it to the tannery same day, it can be folded in half skin on skin, folded again and placed in freezer.  At this point, the skin can be bagged with all air removed from bag.  Double bagging is encouraged.  Remember air is not a friend to your hide.  Ideally you want to get your skins to us the same day so we can get it fleshed, salted and in a dry and safe state as soon as possible. 

Bison and long hair cows may not exceed 40 square feet.  Short hair cows may not exceed 60 square feet.