How do you skin a beaver?

T

Trophyhunter

New member
I just took the AR down to the pond, and shot a huge beaver that has been destroying my trees. I would like to skin it and have it tanned, but I have never skinned a beaver . I don't want to mess up the hide, so if anyone can tell me how to skin it I would greatly appreciate it. I only had a small target, and it was swimming at about 50 yards out in the water, and I took off the nose and top jaw. It swam over to the bank, and Iput the next shot in the boiler maker. The skin only has an entrance wound with no exit.
Thanks,
 
Trophyhunter,

If you want to skin it the traditional "ROUND" blanket as it's called just make the cut from the bottom of the chin straight down the bellie to the base of the Tail and peel it right off around each side, like taking off your coat.
Pull the legs out of the fur don't slit the legs out, you want to be able to pull the hide over the legs like taking off a glove or your arm from out of a jacket. Peel the skin off around the face keeping it close to the skull so being to keep the ears intact /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif as well as the nose and all facial features.(well in your case Alan, I gather there isn't much face left to skin)/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif(flesh the hide,taking any and all fat meat and grissle,that you can from the hide) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Strech the hide out on a flat piece of plywood (1/2)sheet works fine, and 1/2inch thickness With the fur side down against the board. Put a Number 6d or number 8d nail one at 12:O'clock and the other at the 6 O'clock position, leaving some slack in the pelt so that it will come out round. Start nailing again , One nail at 9-O'clock and 3-O'clock.
Think of it as your streching it out like someone using a rolling pin on dough...just keep streching and nailing an streching and nailing alternating nails all around the pelt until your pelt is nice and round and your nails are about (1)inch apart from nail to nail all around the edge.

The hide gets a bit difficult/grissley /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif around the back side down around the tail area keep a sharp knife and you won't have a problem.

I hope this helps you out and most of all have fun!

vaportrail
 
Wow! Vaportrail. That is great detail. I could almost smell the castor on the bugger. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gifExcellent description.
The only thing that I would add is that it [image]takes time[/image] it isn't like skinning and fleshing some other fur bearers. Don't be in a hurry.
They do make great looking wall hangings with a denim backing and felt trim.
I have some pics somewhere, I'll see if I can find them.

I used to do some nuisance trapping for Fish & Wildlife complaints. They were always in the spring/summer when someone's land flooded or thier ornamental trees were stripped. The fur was of no value on the fur market, but as souvenirs for tourists, the rugs made more money than the fur trade. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Last edited:
Thanks Vaportrail for the great details. I did skin it, and it was probably the hardest critter I have ever skinned. It sure makes you wonder how hard a thing it was to do hundreds of years ago using flint knives. I plan on having it tanned for displaying. Again many thanks for your help.
 
Trophyhunter,

Was glad to help! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif It would be nice to see some pics when you get the wall hanger done /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif


Vaportrail
 
Quote:
Skinning that beaver would probably render it useless. did you try shaving it first



Thanks ALOT 17, my keyboard is now covered with coffee, and my nose is burned! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Back
Top