Preparing deer tails

[Fishermanbt]

Looking for some detailed guidance for preparing deer tails to tie some hair jigs. I’ve been watching to many of Small Jaw’s YouTube videos.  I have 5 right now that appear close to being dry. I deboned them, washed with some dawn, scraped, pined out and covered with borax. Am I on the right track?  I am hoping to gather up a few more to dye. Any insight to that other than following the rit dye instructions?  I’ve seen some info on using kool aid to dye. Might give that a try too. Thanks for reading.

[anyfish]

This isn't much immediate help, but a really good book is "Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly-Tying Materials" by A.K. Best.  I know Amazon carries them, but you can probably find it used. 

[ctom]

I've done tails using Ritt dye. It works on some colors but others don't do well even in the white areas. I just buy what I need any more. But honestly I don't tie the bucktails anymore. I know a guy with a commercial operation here in town and just give him a jingle if I need any. With the discounted price I get them at I can't make them for less. He needs plastics? He's got them. Nice trade-off.

[efishnc]

Borax is the real key unless you are storing the tails in the freezer... beetles will eat the hide if just using salt and you'll end up with bags/boxes of loose hair (I have first hand experience here). 

I used to dye using Rit and boiling water (not just hot) as it opens the pores more, which is what helps the dye stay in place.  I gave up dying about 10 years back and pretty much only use un-dyed tails when tying now... I think a natural white bucktail is generally unbeatable.

[Fishermanbt]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I’m in the ballpark in how I’m doing it. Just stopped by our local butcher shop. Unfortunately the guy had been through already and pick up the hides last week. He did let me scavenge 3 that were dropped off today.  Tried to pick up a bonus one along the road but the Mrs. was not having it. 
As for price, this is much more cost effective than buying them at $5-8 a piece plus shipping even if I decide to dye them.

[efishnc]

Yeah, most ladies are put off when it comes to shopping along the road... it just seems untrustworthy to them.  Years ago when I was working nights, I was often able to see the fresh "groceries" in the morning, and knowing it was fresh I had no problem putting it on my table and letting the four-legged scavengers' find another source for their rations.

[ctom]

I've eaten my share of bumper bambi. As long as its very fresh and no blood shot or busted guts its fine but one does have to get it cold post haste.

[toadfrog]

GO TO Dharma Trading for dyes and those types accessories. Deer tails are very greasy even though you can't see it so washing is a must. Soak for a couple days in Dawn and unscented fabric softener.  Never let your water get hotter than showing a little steam. The first few steps you took are fine as long as you washed them well and rinsed completely. Now you can put them directly in the dye bath. water temperature 140  to 150 for 2 hrs. No need to dry because they will rehydrate during dying anyway and you will just have to pin and dry again (more about that in a moment) . After the dye bath rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. During washing rinsing  or drying never wring the tails Press out excess moisture on old rags or paper towels. You can now dry and pin using the borax . I personally  run mine in a warm bath of powdered alum left to stir and cool for three days before I pen them . But that is because I may need to store them a long time. often I will still use the borax to draw moister out of the skin. nothing like having a stinky moldy tail to ruin your nasal passages. Oh yea I like to blow dry the hair before I pin the tails better aeration for drying the skin . The Tails are fluffier afterwards.

[Lines]

Good lesson Toadfrog. Will that also work for squirrel tails?

[efishnc]

Hey toad-

Do you find a difference in dye adherence with your prolonged dying times?

Though its been a few years, I recall the Rit packages listing 15-20 minutes of dye time for natural fiber (I used the powdered dye)... I generally bumped my time to 30 minutes, but found the most success when I used boiling water (simmering the dye pot on a turkey fryer).

[toadfrog]

Good lesson Toadfrog. Will that also work for squirrel tails?

Works for all hair products.

[toadfrog]

Hey toad-

Do you find a difference in dye adherence with your prolonged dying times?

Though its been a few years, I recall the Rit packages listing 15-20 minutes of dye time for natural fiber (I used the powdered dye)... I generally bumped my time to 30 minutes, but found the most success when I used boiling water (simmering the dye pot on a turkey fryer).

The lower temps and longer times are to insure the hair is dyed to  the skin . Boiling temperatures damage the hair and can cause it to fall out, curl ect. I prefer to ere on the side of caution. I only use Rite dye on regular colors . You will get better neon colors with acid dyes. That presents a problem because you need to call the company to determine if the dye you order is the color you want. Over the years the nomenclature has changed neon Green is not the same as Flo. green chartuese . So beware. Been a long dang time since I looked at dyes.

[Fishermanbt]

Thank you for the info toadfrog. Some things there I had not considered. I think I’m better off just keeping these tails natural and be happy with what I have. Maybe next year I can get all Picasso and dye some tails with supplies in hand and the insight you have provided. Already starting to see a delay in package delivery.

[bigjim5589]

Fishermanbt, what you've done for prepping the tails is fine, What toadfrog said about getting dyes & dyeing is spot on too. Rit Dyes can work, but they're not specifically formulated for protein based materials. Dharma Trading sells acid dyes, both their own brand, and Jacquard brand. It may depend on the exact colors you want which is a good choice, but last I bought dyes, there was not a lot of overlap in colors.

I've had the most success with dye bath temps in the 165 to 185 degree temp range and I've dyed many types of hair/fur and feathers.

The only thing I don't necessarily agree with is long soaks in a dye bath or to clean, as that can cause the hair to slip. However, spending time cleaning what you're dyeing will provide the best results as clean material will absorb dyes better than dirty, oily or greasy.

The last materials I dyed was some Fox & Coyote tails, which are a bit trickier than deer tails since the hides are much thinner. That's when you really have to pay attention to dye bath times. I've had the hide literally dissolve.

This was one of the tails I dyed, looking to get a "greenpumpkin" color for tying fly patterns and hair jigs. I mixed Dharma avocado with a Jacquard brown. As you can see, it's not all one color, and different shades because the base color was not all the same. White is a bit easier to dye over. I was however, happy with the result as I dyed several tails and got what I needed plus some other useful dyed olive green shades of hair.

[Fishermanbt]

Thanks bigjim for that information and letting me know I’m on the right track. I pulled two tails this morning that seemed to be dried out quite well. They looked pretty nice after further inspection. I killed the trout and several flounder this past July on hair jigs/Ripper trailer at the Outer Banks. My tying skills are still at rookie status at best but I’m trying.