How to Clean a Coyote Hide in Your Washing Machine
I’m a fan of “work smarter, not harder.” With that sentiment, I bring you this photo. It’s easy to prevent getting a hide bloody if you’re a trapper—most of the time. But if you do any predator hunting with a rifle, you know you’ll often end up with bloody hides. Over the years, I’ve spent hours washing coyote, fox, and wolf hides in buckets. It doesn’t always have to be so difficult, though.
In some cases, a hide is best left bloody. If you’re only planning on tanning it, cleaning out the blood can be trouble. The blood will dry, and unlike the hollow hair of some big game, the blood will wash out at the tannery. However, when selling fur or if you’re concerned about the presentation of the skins, cleaning can be important.
Through trapping, I’ve grown accustomed to keeping hides clean and not having to wash them in the first place. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that, especially for predator hunters who are shooting their quarry. After shooting, transporting, and skinning, it’s not uncommon to end up with a bloody mess.
One memorable example of this was a coyote that I shot in the head with a .17 HMR a few years back. I dreaded putting that hide up; the coyote was a mess when I dragged him back to the truck.
After thawing him out and case-skinning him, I spent time figuring out options to cheat my way out of the less than appealing job of cleaning the blood-matted fur. Then it hit me: Use a washing machine.
At the time, I had an older top-loading washer and had used it to degrease fleshed beaver hides in the past. This taboo time-saver was rumored to work great for cleaning blood. One trapper, a living-legend here in Alaska, was rumored to sneak into the 24-hour laundry mat in the wee hours of the morning to clean batches of bloody wolf hides. At least until he got caught and banned for life.
A washing machine works surprisingly well, and is one of the easiest and most effective ways to clean a hide. Bloody, messy hides come out perfectly clean, and I think it makes them look better once they dry because the detergent takes care of all the dirt and grime in the fur. It doesn’t matter what kind of detergent you use, and about one laundry-load’s worth is enough to get the job done.
The author with carefully cleaned and boarded wolf hides, drying in his shop. Tyler Freel
Washing Hides Should Be a Last Resort
A washing machine typically works great to clean hides, but getting hides soaking wet presents challenges and potential hazards to keep hides from slipping or spoiling. Traditional methods for putting up fur usually involve stretching and air-drying to preserve the skin. Introducing excess moisture can impede this process—especially on hides that are close to souring and slipping. Bigger animals or furbearers with thick hides like wolves and wolverines require extra care to make sure they dry properly. So if you don’t have to wash them, don’t.
If you do have to wash them, make sure to use cold water, and wring as much water out as you can. Don’t wait to get them boarded, and adding a fan can help the hide dry out faster. Finally, groom them with a dog brush to even out the matting and finish with a good-looking product.
If you can get away with using the washing machine, give it a try the next time you get a messy one. I will not, however, be held accountable for angry spouses or irate roommates who find hides in the washing machine. If you’re putting up lots of fur, it might even pay to buy an old junker that you can use strictly for cleaning hides.
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.