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[Aaron]

I shot an elk on Dec 29th.  I rolled the hide up and tied it for transportation.  The hide has been sitting outside my garage for two weeks.  The temperature has varied from as low as the teens to as high as 45 degrees during that time.  Have I waited too long to try to tan the hide hair on?

[The Tanner]

Open up the hide and the smell will tell you.  If it stinks it has begun to decompose.  It will also be a little blue or green on the flesh side.  It is too late to tan it for hair on.  You can still make it into leather.

If you unroll it and it just looks dry, it may still be fine.  Air dried Elk and Deer hides have a lower chance of turning out alright.

Either way, next time you need to pack a little salt with you when you go hunting.  5 lbs or so.  After skinning out the elk throw the salt on the hide and roll it up for the trip back.  This will give you the best chance for a beautiful hair-on hide.

[Aaron]

I opened in up and I couldn't smell anything I would associate with rotting meat.  The skin looked wet and almost bloody still in places.  Is that normal for 2 plus weeks later?  Did you mean that it is too late to tan it hair on regardless of the condition of the hide?  Also, what do I need to do to preserve the skin until I can get a tanning kit?

[The Tanner]

It sounds like it may still be ok.

You now need to get the hide salted.  Get non-iodized salt and cover the flesh side of the hide and let it set out flat for 4-5 days.  Then you can roll it or fold it up until you are ready to tan.  It will last up to two years like this.

good luck