Using the entire deer

[Autumnarcher]

Knowing there are lots of talented and creative follks hangin around here, I got to wondering what uses for deer parts other than the meat others on here come up with.

This year we scraped all the tallow off to try our hand at making some soap, as well as using some to melt down and mix with bird feed for suet cakes.

I really would like to try brain tanning, but Im not really set up for it right now. If I have room to store a couple hides in the freerer, I may give it a go this winter as well.

[Izzy]

Ill be using the femur from this years buck to make a knife handle.

[Steve H.]

I've made soap a time or two from deer fat.  I suggest using a blender but deer tallow soap sets up FAST.

[LoneWolf73]

I take hides to taxidermist and he does for $55. Save feet for gun/bow racks(also good for making mock scrapes), coat hangers etc., European mount to use skull in addition to antlers, jaw bones for unique display knives, scent glands to drag on next hunt, small antlers for crafts, knive handles, buttons, necklaces,etc.,tails make nice displays if you can not save hide, sinew for various primitive projects, use the rest of the carcass for predator hunting/trapping.

[LoneWolf73]

Also urine sac in baggy for next days hunt/freshen scrapes.

[J-dog]

I am by no means a flint knapper - just a wanna be - but somem of the bones may be good to make tools out of though they would take time to dry.

Soap idea is cool. sinew can be saved for primitive stuff? brain tan make a good quiver? I imagine there is alot you could come up with. if you have a mount with a habitat surrounding you can use bones as added decor in the habitat (just dont clutter it up too terrible).

J

[MrWinkles]

My list needs work, but here it is...


Antlers
Knapping tool
Tool handles
Immune system support
Ice pick
Buttons
Hat / Coat racks
Snake-stick head
Splitting wedge
(With some work)Slingshot
Digging tool
Rake head
Whistles
Glue

Brain
Nourishment
Tanning hides

Hair
Warmth
Cushioning
Fishing flies
Compost
Bird nests

Tails
Predator decoy

Skin
Coverings
Containers
Cordage
Dog treats
Glue

Bone
Tool handles
Straight-edged cutting tools(Arrowheads, knives, ETC)
Awls
Needles
Scrapers(Hide)
Saws(Scapula)
Fishhooks(Phalanx, Tibia)
Childrens sled(Ribcage)

Marrow
Nourishment

Intestines
Sausage casings
Cordage

Intestine innards
Bait

Fat
Cooking
Nourishment
Soap-making
Lube
Suet cakes
Lotion
Leather conditioner
Candles

Sinew
Cordage
Bow-backing

Tendons
Cordage
Glue

Tendon sheaths
Glue

Bladder
Bait
Container

Tarsals
Bait

Stomach
Container

Stomach innards
Bait

Hooves
Glue

Heart
Nourishment

Testicles
Nourishment

[Red Tailed Hawk]

I will be trying brain tanning for the first time. Santa's bringing me the brain tanning dvd. You have to like that guy  

[boznarras]

I made a neat deer call with an antler tine.
I cut off about 4" tine and split it lengthwise with the band saw, then cut away enough from the cut face of each half to make a bell shaped opening when they were put back together. Did a little smoothing with rasp and sandpaper. I used a piece of electrician tape for a reed and riveted the halves together at each end with rivets .
I gave it to a buddy for his kid, but he kept it for himself.

[Koko Bow]

Autumnarcher, I did the brain tan in the mid 90's.  I recall doing about 7 hides.  There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears involved.  It was well worth it.  I would suggest getting a book or DVD.  I wrote the author once (no email back then) and he helped me with a problem I had on a hide.  I did some more brain tanning last year.  Give me a holler if I can help.

[GWC]

i save the small antlers for making stuff.last year tried a little antler carving.carved a giraffe out of a long tine,turned out pretty nice.iv got some ground deer im adding some stuff to for trapping bait for fox,save the vertibrae bones for eye appeal at trap sets,have saved the fat for feeding to the birds in the winter and my dogs always eat especially good when im cuttn my deer up.id also like to get some of the hides tanned sometime.i also save the hock glands and urine from my deer to use on the next hunt.

[Grey Taylor]

Mr Winkles, that's about the most complete list I've ever seen.
One question... under Antlers you have "immune system support." Could you expand on that one?

Guy

[lpcjon2]

I will be using the hide to cover my deer target. I watched a show the other night that the Swedish use the blood from reindeer and the tongue and meat in a stew.Did the hoof pegs for clothes.My dog ate the antlers of a spike rack I left out one year.Keep the shoulders for my broadhead penetration testing. Oh and Mr.Wrinkles the last thing on your list must make for a lonely meal. will Rolaids take away heartburn from deer testicles.  

[Don Stokes]

I used to be so selfish as to keep everything for myself, but now I just keep the meat (and skull if it's a buck) and give the rest back to nature. The remains feed everything out there, I think. It's fun to put a game camera up and see what comes.

[ArrowAtomik]

I was more interested to see picturs of the children's ribcage sled!

[MrWinkles]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:
Mr Winkles, that's about the most complete list I've ever seen.
One question... under Antlers you have "immune system support." Could you expand on that one?

Guy

You can take the velvet or ground-up antler as a medicine.
Good for bone strength as well.

 

Originally posted by lpcjon2:
Oh and Mr.Wrinkles the last thing on your list must make for a lonely meal. will Rolaids take away heartburn from deer testicles.      

Ive never had them, but I plan on trying them the next time I have the chance.

 

Originally posted by ArrowAtomik:
I was more interested to see picturs of the children's ribcage sled!

Hey, We need to get it straight. Its a childrens sled made from a ribcage...not a childrens ribcage sled.
I wish I had a pic still. I live in Florida now, so no sledding for me.

[John Scifres]

Here is a cool website about   Using the Whole Critter Forum on Braintan.com  

I have made bone butter.  It is incredibly cool stuff.