Going to Cody Wyoming to get a Cow Elk - this is just a meat hunt.... I never do anything with hides, mounts, etc... wondering if it is time to do something. Anyone know what it would run me to turn this elk into a nice rug? Doe Elk even work as a nice rug?

around 600 bucks for a tan hide with hair on

If you get one save the hide and give these guys a try. They've done 2 axis hides for me. http://northtexastannery.bravesites.com/. Good luck!

Dave, I gave one to Brandon Deaver, Cross Hare Taxidermy. He is near Waco and matched what It would have cost me to ship it to Montana to be done (he is also on THF). Cost me $250ish for a bull hide, I haven't seen it yet, but will in a week or so since he is done with it. May want to touch base with him, not sure what he will charge now, but he has family in the DFW metro, so sending and receiving would be simple. His mounts look awesome BTW.

My last Elk hide I had done 7-8 years ago cost me $150 iirc, $600 would be insane IMO.

http://www.crossharetaxidermy.com/

I paid $300 for a cow I shot 5yrs ago but the price may have gone up since then. Good luck on your hunt.

What direction from Cody? I'm hunting Elk there just south of town in five weeks.

i'll be in 61-6.

I may keep the hide, doesn't seem to expensive.

Not bad at all and you get a bit more out of the animal. My wife has one draped over one couch, she wanted another for the other couch. So far they are and have been very durable.

$12-14 a sq/ft.

Looks like you'll be hunting my same unit. Do me a favor and push all the bulls over to my place.

No Problem! When are you heading out there?

I guess you could do a rug but deer-like critters have brittle hair rather than fur and after a while the hair might start coming out. If it were I, maybe have the leather tanned and made into something you could use for years, gun case, etc. I'm not sure if one elk is enough for a jacket.