I raise rabbits for meat. It may sound silly to some,  but I throw the hides in the garbage for three reasons...

1. I've never found a market for the skins.
2. I've never had a real use for the fur.
3. I've never learned how to process the skins because I'm in it for the meat not the fur.

I would like to line my quiver with rabbit fur.

Does any one know a quick and easy way to prepare skins for decorative use?

Can I just salt and dry them? or will the hair fall out?

thanks,  Scott.


I know this isn't exactly trad-hunting related.
on the other hand, a quiet quiver will help this fall  

I think it is a grat idea! I am sure many people here will be able to help. I have salted and then softened by kneeling and oiling later, but it never turns out the way I want it.

Rabbit skins are quite thin. I think you would have to line the skin with other leather to make it more durable.

QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B:
Rabbit skins are quite thin. I think you would have to line the skin with other leather to make it more durable.

I have tried to stretch dry them before for my own little collection and they tear VERY EASILY!  

But, you may have better luck than me.

Alum tanning works. But can be kinda time consuming. They make a bottle of stuff called trappers tanning solution which I hear works very well though I haven't tried it yet. As mentioned the trickiest part with rabbit fur is not tearing the hid though it can be done with a little experience.

Maybe I'll wait until after this season is over.
I still have arrows to make!

Sounds like a good winter prodject.

Thank you for your replies,

Scott

Be careful, but this is a home tanning recipe I have used from chipmunks to coyotes. I learned it from an old timer in Stratton Maine.
5 gallon bucket.
3 canisters of non iodized salt.
1 Dixie sized cup of battery acid from an old car battery.
For rabbits, get at least 6-10 and do them all at once.
Flesh them good.
In the bucket, mix the above and the hides and just enough rain water or distilled water to cover the hides. Should be A LOT of salt in that water, it wont all dissolve.
Stir it two to three times a day. Use a stick or rock to keep them as submerged as possible.
In 5 days, take them out, rinse well and ring them good. Rabbit dries fast. Try and stretch and twist it while it is drying and it will come out soft. If you just leave it, it will harden and you'll have to work a lot harder to twist and pull it to get it soft.
I have tanned more rabbits than I can count this way.

that sounds great! thank you

Scott

do you oil them while your stretching and twisting?

bowberry-you can replace the battery acid with alum. (can be had in your local spice rack. makes it much easier to dispose of.