Gator tanning/purse making

[mr crab]

I finally got a gator tag this year after 8 years of applying. I want to hook up the Mrs. with a purse from the trophy. Just wondering if ya'll could recommend a tanner and or a purse maker. So far I have searched the web and I'm leaning toward ATN in Georgia for the tanning ($350 for a 10 foter) and Houston custom boots for the purse ( $350-$750 with me supplying the tanned hide). The tanning price seems reasonable I guess, but the purse making seems a bit high to me. But this is probably the only chance I'll ever get to make this happen, and certainly don't want to sacrifice quality for price, or risk some jackleg screwing up my hide. TIA

[Duck Butter]

There is a company in south La that tans hides, they will color them any color as well. We have some white ones and maroon ones in the office on display and they left their contact info, tomorrow I will see who does them and reply back.

[Duck Butter]

What area did you get a tag for? WMA, NWR? I have been seeing a giant in the basin in one little spot, saw him this morning as well. Have no real desire to apply for a tag but this one may make me change my mind. Saw some little ones that just hatched as well, momma was keeping them close

[Raymond]

Rogwiller tannery off pinhook tans hides (Laffy), you can buy a purse for that kinda chedda. Why not tan it yersef, google is yer fran.

[kcinnick]

Pay to get it tanned.

I got a quote of $200 to vegetable tan a hide from the place in Lafayette. I am not sure if that was a wholesale price or regular price.

I worked out trading work for hides. I basically am going to pay thetannery $200 for the tanning, make an item for the hunter, and keep the rest of the hide. Works out pretty good for me, most hunters want a holster, money clip or belt and it doesn't use much hide but if you were to go buy a gator belt you are looking at hundreds of dollars. I like hides natural, lots of people don't like the color, but I can darken it up without dyes. How do you think the back gets black and the belly stays tan? Same reason farm raised gators are brown, can't stand the stuff.

Oh, I don't make purses... just Belts, Holsters and Bullets, occasional money clip, knife sheath to match a set.

[mr crab]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

What area did you get a tag for? WMA, NWR? I have been seeing a giant in the basin in one little spot, saw him this morning as well. Have no real desire to apply for a tag but this one may make me change my mind. Saw some little ones that just hatched as well, momma was keeping them close

jd murphree wma in port arthur, tx

[getonfish]

EEEEEWWWWW WWWEEEEEEE!!! WE gone go hunt dem gators T boy!!!

[mr crab]

Originally Posted by getonfish

EEEEEWWWWW WWWEEEEEEE!!! WE gone go hunt dem gators T boy!!!

I'm actually pretty pumped about getting the tag. I've been applying for 8 years now, and thisis the first time I've been drawn.