I have been using deer hides for many years now... I finally told the hunters to let me do the skinning, with a little extra time, you wont need the fleshing beam!! Lime and water works ok for de-hair.... but a running creek is awesome! I took some old field fence, kinda sandwiched the hide where it would lay flat in the creek, 3 days in the spring and the hair was slipping nicely, no smell and no nasty lime! The draw backs to deer hide is you never know what you get till the hair comes off, ticks and barbed wire will leave scratches and small pit's in the skin, the part that is most important!! I just cut my rounds in the good spots and give the dog the rest!
who has any info on "cooking" the hides, what temperature and how long?? inquiring minds want to know!!
