[mnflyfisher]

I was reading a few posts on dying buck tails but am looking for more information. I would like to know the whole process used, from the time you cut the tail off the deer, how do you cure it / cut the hide etc? and what is the whole process for dying the tail? I would like to use the closest thing that is used for the store bought stuff already colored buck tails.

This would make a great tutorial (with pics) for the member submitted tutorials section if someone felt ambitious.

[sagacious]

With some things, I think you just need to wade in and get your hands dirty.

Years ago, I told my deer-hunting friends to save me a few bucktails. I deboned the tails and cut off any fat, and cured the tails with a mix of borax and salt. Let 'em get good and dry.

Then I bought a few boxes of RIT dye, and just followed the instructions. You want hot (not boiling) water, add dye, and add some salt for color-fastness and truest color. Soak the tails for an hour, rinse in warm and then cold water until the water runs clear. Then hang 'em up and let dry. Fairly simple process, and the tails came out perfect. I still have some of those tails left, and use them for tying saltwater bucktails.

There's more info here, give it a go and tell us how it worked for you. http://www.ritdye.com/Achieving+True+Color.11.lasso

On the 3oz jigs below, the olive bucktail in the dressing is home dyed. It's colorfast. Good luck.

[braveviper]

Thats how I did it too,some colors work better that others.I read on another site that you can use kool-aide to dye tails also(yes Kool-aide) I tried it and it does work.At 25 cents a packet its a cheap way to experiment.Try the orange.

[mnflyfisher]

Hey thanks for the help guys! I'll let you know - probably will be a while before I get around to it though.