“Save that hide!”, I yelled.  My old hunting buddy, Carl was making a heck of a mess out of his field dressing project.  Head to toe, as I shook my head. What a mess.  ‘Couldn’t tell if his hunting clothes were orange or red by the time I found him bent over his newly expired success.  Rack was kind of little but then, it has been a pretty slow season.  The draggin’ home numbers just weren’t as good as it was in recent years.

Fringe Jackets

Good thing Carl got one, I thought.  It’s been a few years for him.  Buddies were getting concerned back at camp.  Looked likea good shot.  Maybe the deer died laughing for all I knew.

With the messy task completed and a well deserved rest from advising
him what could be improved, not to mention hearing 3 versions of the same story over and over, growing in exaggeration with each version, we discussed dragging and hauling options.  It was just under a mile and a half straight through the woods back to the shack.  That was an ugly thought.
 
Less than ½ mile to the nearest road where I had my car.  Sounding
better, but do we call for some help and drag or convince one of our other buddies to scoot over with his ATV.  Problem was, the ATV was back
at camp which would mean a brisk walk through the woods or hike the short way and drive around.  Considering I am mid to late 40’s and he is
over 60 the ATV was looking more and more attractive.

Workbag

Then again, that rack.  Not much of one to brag about.  Legal and all, but just plain ugly.  Hope he doesn’t take a picture.  His stories will straighten that rack out over time. 

“Nope”, I said. “That hide is worth more than your pride. Let’s do what we can to keep the hide in great shape.” I confirmed.  The meat will be good, I thought.
 
Maybe he can make something out of that hide.  The deer was good size.

Walking boots

I have to admit, after hunting for nearly 40 years, I seldom gave much
thought to taking care of a deer hide.  After all, it was the rack
or whether you shot a deer this year dispelling any concerns about manhood, not to mention the occasional ‘monster’ or son-of-monster buck, right?

Not any more, at least for me.  Once I started pursuing a rare passion
to develop products made from one of my most favorite game animals of all time, my attitudes and decisions started to change.

Draw String Pouches

You see, most of my hunting buddies wouldn’t give a second thought to
discarding a deer hide.  Few take the time to do their own skinning
leaving the hide for the butcher to make some money off of it.  They
prefer not to ‘mess’ with it.  Fewer yet paid any attention to keeping
the hide from their recent kill even if someone else processed the meat. 
Sometimes I could exchange one for a pair of gloves made somewhere unknown overseas.  That is, if I didn’t mess up the hide by contributing to
decomposition first.  What a wardrobe I would have today if I had
paid just a little more attention!

Vests

We are accustomed to seeing an occasional pair of soft work gloves. 
Occasionally, some old codger would speak of the old days when he made a deerskin jacket for his wife.  And who doesn’t know about moccasins?

The fact is, there are things that can be used every day that can or
could be made from deerskin.  Work and dress gloves are just the tip
of the iceberg.  Moccasins of many styles are possible but then, so
are purses, wallets, jackets, vests, boots, dress shoes, gifts, jewelry,
pillows, handbags and now super soft camo hunting gear.  And the process starts the moment you decide where to place your shot.

Gloves

Considering the buttery soft nature of natural deerskin, begin to consider
deerskin for every day use.  It just takes a moment to start this most amazing journey. 

Wear what you hunt!

For details visit the Sunset Creek Deerskin web site at www.scdeerskin.com