Fleshing Time Expiration

Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: azpredatorhunter Next thing someone gonna say the S word....


snow
shout
stretch
scrape
salt
sweet
sally
soros
shoot
shady
sunny
You said it not me. Woops..
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: trifeThanks for the feedback everyone. As I said im new to fur handling and looking to learn. Ill have 6 stretchers by next week and begin my journey. I will also be looking into fur buyers. Slow down there... You don't need 6 stretchers. I have a minute or two so I'll tell you what you need to get r done. Nothing more nothing less... that is if you want?
 
Ok if anyone wants to add anything be my guest.

1. A hardwood fleshing beam. Curved to match your fleshing knife, that's so your not fleshing a 1/4"-1/2" strip at a time. Your arms are only so long, so the beam doesn't need to be 6'.

2. A good fleshing knife...! I repeat a good fleshing knife. You don't need a $165 one... I have a Dan Post and it's the best I've ever used $89. The $15 one...forget about it.

3. A fleshing apron. Any one will do. Animal fat doesn't wash out of clothes and it smells.

4. Two basswood adjustable stretchers for coyote. One small and one large. At least to start.

5. Push Pins. Get the good ones... Moore Brand is good. Buy more than you think you'll need.

That's it.

Now your shooting them so a needle and thread is a given.

Here's a few things that are not necessary, but are helpful.

Disposable gloves
Needle nose pliers
Tail cutting guide
Fur brush/comb
Borax
Paper towels
Fan/radio
Beer...

Now I am probably forgetting something.
 
Here's my fleshing beam. It's designed for bobcat so it a little narrower and pointed. Just a piece of maple from HD. I did shape it to my two handled fleshing knife.
 
azpredatorhunter,

Thank you so much for taking the time out to give me the run down. I will start with two stretchers to begin with as u suggested. Im only lacking the stretchers and I thought I could get by without an apron but i will get one after reading your post and watching some vids.

Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
Your welcome.

You might want to get more than one stretcher as I have no idea what you intend to put up as far as numbers. If you shoot six coyote every time you go hunting than by all means get what works for you.

Good Luck on your coyote

Remember, well handled prime fur is always in demand.
 
i have been killing, skinning, fleshing, stretching and selling coyotes for more than 40 years. have never owned or used a fleshing beam or fleshing knife or apron.

i flesh them all while on a stretcher. my fur buyers, and there have been many over the years, have always told me my furs are much, much better than 99% of the others they buy. btw i use wire stretchers.

not saying a fleshing beam and fleshing knife are bad, just saying not necessarily needed.
 
Originally Posted By: azpredatorhunterYou can disagree all you want MartyB. I get your point and totally understand. Is this information based on fact or from what you've heard?



Fact.



We agree, but sometimes a guy has to freeze.

Post knives are one of the best.

Xtra lg adjustable coyote stretchers can be used for every thing from coon to coyotes.

Just put the smaller pelts up on the nose of the stretcher.


Reduces fur shed clutter.
 
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnoti have been killing, skinning, fleshing, stretching and selling coyotes for more than 40 years. have never owned or used a fleshing beam or fleshing knife or apron.

i flesh them all while on a stretcher. my fur buyers, and there have been many over the years, have always told me my furs are much, much better than 99% of the others they buy. btw i use wire stretchers.

not saying a fleshing beam and fleshing knife are bad, just saying not necessarily needed. I would love a demonstration of your fleshing technique spoon man lol. I hear you, I was just saying what I use. [beeep] you can use a sharp rock. I like to sit while I flesh so the rubber apron works for me.
 

Being that far south, I would guess one will not find much fleshing is needed on those desert coyotes. After a good washing what ever you can pinch with your fingers and trim with a knife will probably do fine. The white lardy fat you may encounter can be trimmed carefully with a knife also. With that said a fleshing knife would be handy should you get a true butterball.
 
Maybe 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.
 
Originally 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.
 
Being a trapper from Iowa, I use a beam and fleshing knife. Not much fat on our canines, I normally skin, scrape, and stretch right away. Easy to stretch and flip the next day, as I will be in the shed everyday anyway.

Coon are skinned and either put up or frozen as time allows. Rats and mink are usually put up the same day if possible. Easy to fall behind on coon !

I have a few deep freezes to use, but it is easy to dump stuff in and fall behind.

In the southwest, with cold dry air. Doing canines and cats, the turn over should be fairly quick.
 
Thats some nice looking fur good stuff. Got a coyote this weekend; an old white tip female. She came in fast and my buddy and I shot her at the same time with our .223's. Fur was decent so i tried my hand and skinning her. The shot shoulder was ripped to shreads which proved difficult while skinning. Had to cut it off eventually and messed the face up while skinning. Fur came out good other than that. Haven't fleshed her yet still waiting on a stretcher. Washed it up and froze the fur flat after a few hours of drying. Ill post pictures after I get it fleashed and stretched. Thanks for the tips guys
 
Not much fleshing required for coyotes. A little scraping hear and there. If you have a fleshing beam and knife and are accustom to using those pieces of equipment then it's quick and easy. If you have not used a beam ect. removal of larger chunks is easily be removed with a sharp knife.

If using solid wood stretchers remember to use a belly board.

Definitely sew all holes prior to stretching.

NAFA has good info regarding all aspects of fur handling, even where you drop-off to a shipper.

Be careful, it can be addictive.
 
Back
Top