Transform raw hides into soft, durable leather using traditional brain tanning and bark tanning methods.
In this 3-day intensive, you’ll work hands-on through every step of hide tanning — scraping, dressing, softening, and smoking hides with no modern chemicals. You’ll also gain an introduction to bark tanning using natural tree barks.
This course is one focused segment of the full 14-day Montana Earthskills Intensive, offered here as a stand-alone experience.
Skills You’ll Learn
Hide preservation
Hide uses
Wet scraping hides clean
Brain dressing and hand-softening
Setting hides on frames and stretching
Smoking hides
Bark tanning basics: bark collection, tanning solutions, finishing leather
Troubleshooting and caring for tanned hides
Course Logistics
Dates: October 1 – 3, 2025
Duration: 3 Days
Location: Green University LLC, Montana
Cost: $400
Meals: Dinners provided (bring your own breakfast and lunch)
Lodging: Primitive camping (tent or wikiup available)
Gear to Bring:
Skill Level: Open to all — no experience needed
Transform raw hides into soft, durable leather using traditional brain tanning and bark tanning methods.
In this 3-day intensive, you’ll work hands-on through every step of hide tanning — scraping, dressing, softening, and smoking hides with no modern chemicals. You’ll also gain an introduction to bark tanning using natural tree barks.
This course is one focused segment of the full 14-day Montana Earthskills Intensive, offered here as a stand-alone experience.
Skills You’ll Learn
Hide preservation
Hide uses
Wet scraping hides clean
Brain dressing and hand-softening
Setting hides on frames and stretching
Smoking hides
Bark tanning basics: bark collection, tanning solutions, finishing leather
Troubleshooting and caring for tanned hides
Course Logistics
Dates: October 1 – 3, 2025
Duration: 3 Days
Location: Green University LLC, Montana
Cost: $400
Meals: Dinners provided (bring your own breakfast and lunch)
Lodging: Primitive camping (tent or wikiup available)
Gear to Bring:
Skill Level: Open to all — no experience needed
Image 1 of 8
Image 2 of 8
Image 3 of 8
Image 4 of 8
Image 5 of 8
Image 6 of 8
Image 7 of 8
Image 8 of 8
