How to stop deer hide from molting? (Losing Hair)?
19 June 2009
One Comment
My parents gave me two deer hides, that I am going to use as rugs beside the bed. One of the rugs, seems to be losing hair in one spot. Is there anything I can spray, or add, to stop the hair loss on the rug?
Unfortunately, deer hides are pretty to look at, but don't make good rugs or clothing items. The hairs are hollow and become even more dry and brittle with age. Any abrasion of the hairs caused by feet (as in a rug) or normal wear (as in a vest or jacket) will break the hairs off. There is nothing known to the taxidermy industry to prevent the natural tendency of the hair to break apart. I know of one fellow who thought it would be really cool to cover the seats in his truck with deer skins. Every time he got in or out, his clothing took a load of deer hair (embedded in the fabric of his clothes) along with it. It disintegrated VERY fast under that kind of wear and tear. Needless to say, his girlfriend didn't think much of all the broken off deer hair in her hair and clothing either, so his upholstery job didn't last. My suggestion would be that you tack the hides on the wall somewhere or drape them somewhere where they don't get walked on or rubbed against. In that capacity, they will last a LONG time. But if you put it to use, you will put it to abuse. It just won't last and you will end up throwing away a scruffy looking piece of worthless hide. Good luck.
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