GRAND RAPIDS HIDE COMPANY
2026 DEER SEASON INFORMATION
What grade is my hide?
Size, thickness, visual appearance and integrity of the hide play a large role in the grading of the hide.
What makes a hide bad or unusable?
Hair slipping or hair missing due to spoilage, excessive holes and/or excessive scoring or knife markings.
Deer Hide Grade
#1 Deer Hide
8.0 square feet or larger with no drag marks, slipping hair, or more than 2 holes 1 inches in size.
Out Deer Hide
Less than 8.0 square feet or a large hide with any of the following:
Excessive holes or knife marks
Slipping hair (hair falling out due to spoilage)
Drag marks (missing hair due to being dragged)
Caped deer (hide trimmed small for taxidermy mounts)
Note: We will be taking deer hides at the door until mid January. After January all hides will be shipped out and we will not be taking more deer until the following fall season.
Beef Hide Grade
#1 Heavy Beef
Over 57 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring
Lite Beef
34-56 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring
Kip
14-33 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring
Calf
14 pounds or under
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring
#3 Beef
Hair slipping
Missing hair (Drag)
More then three holes or 2 inch hole in pattern (Back of hide) or excessive knife scoring