The History of the American Bison is the History of the American West

bison, lamar valley

The history of the American Bison is interwoven with the history of the early American West. You simply can’t tell the story of the American West without mentioning buffalo.(Quick note – we use “buffalo” and “bison” interchangeably here. We are always referring to the American Bison. Read more here.) Thriving in a Harsh Environment As […]

2023 Begins with Production

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Enter your email below to be notified when production resumes for made-to-order products: What a year 2022 has been! We are incredibly grateful for all your support this year. In fact, the support has been so great we find ourselves getting a little overrun. We started Merlin’s Hide Out to create beautiful and functional fur […]

Handcrafted Tradition is Worth the Wait

black and white sewing machine foot with thread

Here at Merlin’s Hide Out we’ve been committed to the tradition of handcrafted products since the very first pair of fur gaiters Merlin made in 1999. While the number of products we create has certainly changed, our handcrafted tradition has not. We take great pride in offering only the highest quality fur products, handcrafted with […]

Tips for Storing Natural Fur Products

brown bison on grazing on grass field

Natural fur products will last for generations to come with proper care and storage. We often get questions from our customers about storing these beautiful products. Here are some tips for storing your treasured fur coats and jackets, and rugs or hides. How to Store Natural Fur Coats, Jackets, and Clothing Storing natural fur garments […]

Introducing Mark & Liz Dean: Continuing the Tradition of Tanning

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Merlin’s Hide Out is excited to announce their new partnership with Kirby Creek Tannery. After finding themselves working 24/7 for the last several years, Merlin and Barb knew something needed to shift.    Today, they are excited to announce that Kirby Creek Tannery is leasing the tannery facilities. Under the guidance of Merlin, a master tanner […]

Holiday Hours & Shipping Plus a Thank You Note

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It’s the most wonderful time of year, and like many things in 2021, it looks a little different! 2021: Showroom Hours for the Holidays We hope you and your family had a wonderful start to the holiday season this week. The Merlin’s Hide Out Showroom will be closed the following days: December 24 – 27December […]

Introducing: New Fur Headbands

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We’ve been busy handcrafting new products, and we’re excited to announce our fur headband is now available in two new furs! A New Classic: Silver Fox and Blue Fox Fur Headbands A Merlin’s Hideout Fur Headband has always been the perfect choice for a luxurious accessory. Now, that choice is even better with NEW furs […]

Season’s Greetings . . . . . and stuff

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Originally sent to our newsletter subscribers. It’s hard to believe we are 2 weeks from Christmas!  Where has the time gone since our last newsletter.  Honestly, the plan was to have a newsletter out to all of you at the beginning of December, but we have been crazy busy.  For a year that has had […]

What Makes a Buffalo Hide the Perfect Accessory for Your Home?

When it comes to choosing the perfect accessory for your home, what do you think of?  An elegant lamp, perhaps, or a tasteful piece of art. Even a new vintage side table or super comfortable chair. When picking a new accessory for your home, your mind might not immediately jump to buffalo hide…but perhaps it […]

How To Care For and Protect Your Natural Fur Rug

Sheepskin

A fur rug centerpiece is one of the most striking and attractive ways to add a rustic touch to your home. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of bare feet on a fur rug! Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer looking to match up your home decor to your passion, or a city dweller looking for a […]

4 Best Rustic Accessories For Your Home Decor (That Are Comfy Too)

There’s no denying that the natural world is pretty impressive. Soaring mountains, great plains, serene forests, there’s an incredible amount of charm to the great outdoors. But you don’t have to step outside to enjoy nature. You can add a slice of the outdoors to your home too.  Rustic accessories are a brilliant way to […]

Visit Us at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2020

We’ve brought our world famous Buffalo Hides, Fur Coats, Buffalo beards, and more fur and leather accessories to Sturgis, South Dakota for this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. If you’re in the area, visit our booth at the Crossroads at the Buffalo Chip. We’re installing Sheepskin Seat Covers here at the booth! Plus, we have a […]

Jackson Crawford: Author of The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes

jackson-crawford-the-poetic-edda-on-buffalo-hide

Jackson Crawford met Merlin and Barb in 2014 when he was working at a museum in nearby Riverton, Wyoming. In the years since, changing jobs have kept him moving around the country, but he’s always had a special place in his heart for central Wyoming and keeps coming back to check on the buffalo and […]

Buffalo Hide Grades

When buying American buffalo or bison hides for the first time, it can be hard to tell what type of hide is best for what you want. We have hides for robes, rugs, and for material used for crafts. But which is best for you? We’re here to explain a few basic concepts so that […]

Is it a Buffalo or Bison — What’s the Difference?

Buffalo and Bison The terms ‘buffalo’ and ‘bison’ are obviously very common in this business. They’re used so often, and sometimes interchangeably, that the average person might not know the distinction. There are very important differences between them that the consumer needs to know. Explorers of North America often encountered animals they had never seen […]