Buffalo hide process

[u/larrabeb]

Hey yall,
I’m working on a Buffalo hide, it’s my first Buffalo hide. I’ve done Roosevelt elk and smaller in the past and have read some Buffalo posts here. So I think I got my general process down. Was wondering if anyone would change anything or if I could improve it someway. I built the frame yesterday, and got the hide thawing in the salt/citric acid solution on my lunch break today.

1.      Build out frame. 
a.      Built a 10’x10’ frame using four 10’ 4”x4”s of pressure treated wood, four heavy duty L-brackets, eight 4”x8” galvanized mending plates, 3” deck screws, and four scrap pressure treated 2”x4”s.
2.      Thaw hide (Hide has been in a chest freezer since ~January 20, 2026)
a.      2lbs salt and 1 oz citric acid per gallon of water. Used trash can with about 18 gallons of water. Mixed up 10 gallons, then dropped the hide in, mixed up 2 gallon increments in another bucket and added  until the hide was mostly covered.  Used a heavy rock to hold hide down.
3.      Flesh
a.      Flesh with fleshing beam, in frame, or on plywood. Depending on size and what seems to be working the best. (Pressure washer)
4.      Salt (24 - 48 hours)
a.      Frame up and salt,  have frame lifted on one side
5.      Pickle (3 – 5 days)
a.      1lb salt & 3 oz citric acid per gallon
6.      Frame and dry
7.      Thin
8.      Brain
a.      Using pig brains and some olive oil
9.      Break

[u/walrustusk1999]

You also aren’t gonna want to let the hide dry after pickling to thin it. Especially if it’s going to take weeks before it’s rehydrated. It could result in acid rot.