Freezing Unfleshed Pelts

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rckid

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What is the proper technique for storing unfleshed pelts such as coyote,fox,raccoon...etc in a chest freezer? Also is it ok if I hunt all winter long and store them all in the freezer and then flesh them all in March? The only reason I ask this is because I don't have a fur shed to maintain a constant temp of 55-65 degrees.
 
Skin, but don't flesh them. Roll them up flesh side in,flesh against flesh.Put a newspaper around them, then stick in a plastic bag. I'd vacuum seal them that way, if possible.
 
its better to fold the furs than to roll them.. if you have the room.. even better to lay them out flat fur side out if only temporary...
when you roll the pelt, the fur acts as an insulator and it will take forever to thaw out and you can get bacteria growth on the outer edges, face, and ears before the middle thaws enough to work with it
 
Has anyone ever skinned an animal then fleshed and stretched it when its very cold inside a barn? Could I keep it hanging in a barn till it warms up in the spring on its own and then dries?
 
Originally Posted By: rckidHas anyone ever skinned an animal then fleshed and stretched it when its very cold inside a barn? Could I keep it hanging in a barn till it warms up in the spring on its own and then dries?

Yeap sure can, I have a coon and a couple of muskrats sitting in my reloading room like that, just haven't had the time to get them tanned, which takes about a week to tan. And make sure if your hanging them in a barn that mice can't get to them!
 
You won't have to wait till spring, after a couple of days or week or so, they will freeze dry depending on the fur. I've been freeze drying for years. I hang mine in my shop till I ship them north.

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