Fleshing Time Expiration

Sorry for the delay. Tried my hand at putting up some coyote fur. As I stated before, I didn't do too well on the face and the left shoulder was destroyed by the hot 75g Hornandy Black. I have now acquired some 55g VMAX which I believe would be more friendly and better suited to my barrel's twist (1:9 RH).

Lessons learned:
1. I could probably used a better fleshing knife as one of u stated. I felt I could've done a better job with a more quality knife.

2. I need to sew my holes which you guys have mentioned. I felt I wasn't going to sell this one so was just curious If I could and would be interested and putting up more fur.

3. Shot placement and ammunition choice is key. The round I used was too hot in my opinion and destroyed the shoulder which is why I had to cut the arms short when I put the fur up.

4. After reading info on NAFA as one of you suggested, I didn't remove the ear cartridge to their standards.

Lots of good info from you guys which will be implemented. I just may try my hand at tanning this practice pelt for future knowledge.

Well here she goes. Not too bad for my first time. Thanks for all the advice. I look forward to my next one.

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Well you gotta start somewhere. My hole thing is I have a messed up back and I try to make skinning and fleshing as easy as possible. My fleshing board is adjustable, I can flesh sitting or standing. A good fleshing knife makes a huge difference. I've fleshed mink, muskrat, fox, raccoons, coyote and bobcats. Practice practice practice...

Practical Fur Handling is a decent older DVD... www.fandtpost.com
 
Originally Posted By: gotspotsFlesh job looks good.
That stretcher looks way short is it a fox stretcher??

it is a fox/bobcat stretcher or that critter is wolf sized.
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I did notice it was fairly short while stretching which is why i cut the legs. I reckon it may be for fox or cat.

Is this workable? Maybe tac the longer ends to the wall or bench?

I may just end up making one myself.
 
Originally Posted By: gotspotsBuy the proper stretcher and life will be much easier. Yep, all you need is a couple of the right size adjustable basswood stretchers.
 
Originally Posted By: Brad PhillipsOriginally Posted By: azpredatorhunterMaybe it's because I am from the Midwest or because I am a trapper first, I don't know but I use a fleshing beam and a fleshing knife. Here's a picture of some my first bobcats I've fleshed and sent to the tannery. I think they turned out ok.


This picture of a tanned hide is after it has been pickled and worked over a wire brush. Removing the membrane that is left after fleshing and drying.

There is a lot of work between a dried, stretched pelt. And a tanned, finished product. Ok here's a picture of one from last year. Fleshed and dryed... not tanned yet.
 
Nice pics. Just ordered 3 adjustable coyote stretchers and a Necker fleshing knife. Life should be somewhat easier now.
 
I flesh right out in the field, I haven't had a fur shed since two moves ago. I have about a dozen wire stritchers and a half dozen homeade wood ones. I usually just flesh, stretch and hang in a tree off the road and come back and pick them up after they dry. Most of my fur noww is for home use so I don't have to turn them befor shipping off to the tannery(Moyles).

My beem that slips onto the hitch.


This is a portable beam that I use in the trailer, fur shed and for demos. Loosen a couple of nuts and it folds up.


Back when we were still using the trailer for a bunkhouse, cook shack and furshed.


Basic pelting equipment for me, I've since replaced the fleshing knife with a Weibe and use a razor sharp draw knife for beaver. I used to be a semi pro trapper and put up beaver for other trappers back when beaver were worth a buck and inch.


When fur prices were high I took a few years off and trapped all winter, did ADC work and odd jobs in the summer. When fur prices dropped I went back to work to make a nest egg for retirement, I've been retired 10 years now and still loving every minute of it just wish I had the body I had 30 yrs ago, this ones starting to wear out.
 
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That's a really nice set up you got there. I'm really loving the hitch and adjustable beams. I've just started getting into trapping. It's a little tough right now because I'm required to check my traps everyday but I have a full time job which is 12+ hour work days. Started out with Bridger #2's, have a dozen MB-550's en route. It would be really nice to hunt and trap full time. I bet that was a blast.
 
Actually it a tough way to live, I was living out of a tent for three years of it and a couple more winters, spend most of the day in a canoe or on snowshoes/skis and then into the night putting up fur. In the summer battling mosquitoes, continuously looking for jobs to fill in between trapping jobs. Pluses, no boss, I could quit anytime I wanted. Enough friends around MN and WI to camp free and a couple summers I built a retirement home for my parents in northern WI.

It is much more fun to hobby trap. Before I went full time I had a job that I banked all my overtime and was able to take two months of in the winter to trap and still had a check coming in every month plus insurance. Now that was fun.
 


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