Having Trouble with the Tanning Shop

I've just started getting into this game and I feel like I've at least got a good grasp on the beginning stages of a fortress, with the exception of tanning. I have started about 5 or 6 round of fortress in the past few days just to hone my skills with the basics but I have never been able to tan any hides. I always have a hunter out (presumably) killing tons of stuff and I set a refuse pile right next to my butcher/tanner but there is never anything in it and I never have a hide to tan. Is there something I'm missing here?