Someone once told me the indians used a mild acid solution made from tree bark.
I trapped as a kid and had many hids that I never tanned. When you clean the hid you have to make sure all the fat is removed. Let it dry for at least ten days. I had Muskrat hids that lasted over ten years with just a good clean and air dry.
The acid solution breaks down the hide and with a little work makes the hide soft. You can go to a tanner and he will sell you the solution to tan a hide. Like I said the solution is nothing more than a mild acid that breaks down the fibers in the hide and WITH! some work makes the hide soft.
Good luck! Tanning a hide is just that much more closer you are getting to nature
