I've learned some things in the past year or so of tanning and I figured I'd share with everyone here some things to make a fur come out like you want it. Most of these are actually told to you in the manual, but they are easy to mess up.
First, make sure you flesh the hide very very well. First couple I did I left a small bit of flesh on, and they did not come out quite like I wanted them. So make sure you get all the flesh off!
Second, when doing the tanning paste, do everything possible to make sure it does not dry up. For me this was just making sure I had all sides of the plastic bag on top weighed down by something. So keeping it wet is important.
When doing the oil, I find it best to do it a little at a time. When I do it all at once, I end up putting too much on. So instead of pouring it on, I like to dip a couple of fingers in some warmed oil, and rub it on like that.
Usually what would happen when I didn't do the first two well enough is the fur would come out stiff, and I could never get it to soften up. Doing those solved that problem for me. These for me were all done with small furs (raccoon, fox, etc) but I'm sure it would be about the same for a deer or something.
Just thought I'd help out anyone getting started, learn from my mistakes.
Edit: Forgot one. Before you do the oil, make sure you shake it up. That also helps.
