Deerskins

Deerskins are hides from deer, species in the family Cervidae. When processed into leather, the term typically refers to deerskin leather, valued for its softness and light weight. The raw hide is commonly called deerskin and may be tanned into leather or used as-is.

After skinning, hides are salted, dried, and tanned to resist decay. Traditional methods include brain tanning, which yields very soft, breathable buckskin with a suede-like inner surface. Vegetable tanning uses plant tannins and produces firmer leather. Modern methods such as chrome or oil tanning create smooth, uniform leather. Buckskin specifically denotes soft deerskin leather produced by brain tanning or similar processes and has historical use among Indigenous peoples and frontiersmen.

Properties include softness, light weight, flexibility, and breathability, with a smooth outer grain and typically a fuzzy inner side. Common uses are gloves, moccasins, jackets, vests, belts, and upholstery. Deerskin has also been used for drums and other crafts.

Ecological and commercial notes: Deerskins originate from wild or farmed deer and are subject to hunting, farming, and wildlife regulations. In contemporary markets, deerskin remains a niche material valued for specialized garments and crafts.