fresh deer hide how long will it keep?

[footfootfoot]

I was given a small deer hide that from a deer was killed about 3 or 4 weeks ago. It has been in my shed since then. The temps have been mostly freezing but a few days they went up into the 40s.

I had hoped to get to scraping and salting it right away but had too may other commitments, before I go to the trouble to work this hide I'm wondering if there is a simple way to tell if it has turned. My plan is to use it as raw hide rather than tanning it.

Any experience would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Pat B]

If it don't stink, is should be OK. You may want to freeze it until you are ready to work on it.

[JackCrafty]

A hide will start to smell bad if not salted, so that is your best indication of whether you want to use it or not.  The hide can still be used for rawhide if it's smelly but if you want to tan it with the hair on or if you want the buckskin for clothing, your best bet is to tan a "good smelling" hide.

Hide really doesn't "turn" the same way as meat.  Let your nose tell you.

[footfootfoot]

Thanks! I'll go take a whiff and put it in the freezer if it passes muster.