Roger, the most important step is to clean the hide. I would wash it first a good degreasing dish soap such as Dawn. Then scrap the flesh side of the hide remove as much flesh & fat as you can. The more you get off the better it will dry. I use a 50/50 mix of kosher salt & borax. Tacking down & stretching the hide as it dries is a big help. The hide will stretch out thin & be some what flexible. Which helps when you cut material off it. I have down this with bird skins to full deer & bear hides. They will last for a long time. I have pieces that are at least 10 years old.
Bob H
