Kansas City Residents Prepare for Deer Season with Rawhide Classes to Preserve Traditions

Kansas City Residents Gear Up for Deer Season with Exciting Rawhide Classes!

Hey there, Kansas City! As the crisp air of November settles in, it’s that time of year again when many local hunters are getting ready for the annual deer season. But did you know that your bounty of venison and antlers isn’t all that harvested deer can offer? That’s right! The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants you to get a little bit more mileage out of your game. In a fun twist, they’re encouraging hunters to save those deer hides and join their upcoming classes on how to make rawhide!

What to Expect

MDC is hosting free classes in Kansas City and the surrounding Northwest regions this December, and you just won’t want to miss out. Over a span of three hours, you’ll learn how to convert those hides into usable rawhide or even beautiful buckskin leather through soaking and scraping techniques. Participants will be hands-on, with tools and hides provided by MDC, so there’s no need to worry about being ill-equipped!

The classes will take place at a few locations, including the Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw and the Lake City Shooting Range in Buckner, where you’ll gather with fellow enthusiasts and learn how our ancestors turned deer hides into clothing, containers, and much more! This cultural touch is aimed not just to educate but to connect participants to a long-standing tradition.

How to Join

Now, here’s the scoop—registration is a must! If you’re thinking about attending, remember that participants aged 16 and under need to be with an adult. You’ll want to ensure your deer hides are bagged up securely and frozen until class day. MDC recommends using leakproof bags to maintain the quality of the hide, making the removal process a breeze during class.

Before you attend, MDC will send you instructions on how to soak and prep your hides, so you’ll be ready to roll when you walk in the door. And make sure you have your Conservation ID number or Telecheck confirmation number handy, as that will be needed for your hides to be processed.

Why Rawhide?

“Our ancestors utilized deer hides for making clothing, containers, musical instruments, shelter, and more,” explains Ginger Miller, an MDC Conservation Educator. It’s a perfect chance to keep those age-old practices alive while getting crafty. Plus, if you’re looking for a new hobby or survival skill, this could be just the thing!

As for attire, MDC advises wearing older clothes, and if you have a rubber apron—bring that along! But if not, a heavy trash bag should do the trick to keep you clean during the scrubbing and scraping. MDC will have fleshing knives and beams available, but participants are welcome to bring their preferred tools, too!

Mark Your Calendars!

If you’re ready to dive into this unique experience, here are the class times:

• Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. — 12 p.m. at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw – Register here
• Dec. 9 from 1:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw – Register here
• Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. — 12 p.m. at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw – Register here
• Dec. 10 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw – Register here
• Dec. 11 from 2 — 5 p.m. at Pony Express Conservation Area Trial Barn near Osborn – Register here
• Dec. 12 from 12:30 — 3:30 p.m. at Lake City Shooting Range in Buckner – Register here
• Dec. 12 from 5 — 8 p.m. at Lake City Shooting Range in Buckner – Register here

For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ginger Miller at Ginger.Miller@mdc.mo.gov. Don’t let those hides go to waste—join in on this fantastic opportunity to learn, create, and take home a piece of tradition!