Proper Bobcat putup---------------------------------------------

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michael_obrien

New member
Someone was asking me about my bobcat putup so here is how I do it. This isnt the only way, and it might now be the "right" way, but it works well for me and gets me the best return at auctions...


First some cats...

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enough of that now lets get onto putup.

 
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i skun this cat in the field, then fleshed it when i got home but didnt have time to board it, so i freeze them like this...

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this is my tub of borax which i use to not only aid in drying and speed it up, but it cleans the fur as well.

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once the cat is thawed out completly turn it inside out and place it in the borax

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completly work borax into every place you can on the skin

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carefully, so as to not make a huge mess or get a lot of dust in the air lift the cat up and shake some excess borax off, then remove it from the container.

if im in a hurry or short on time before an auction ill first place the cat skin out on the board, like this...

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at this time i also cut the bottom lip off- it isnt needed.

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after 30-45 min remove it and turn the hide, then put it back on your board.

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get a pin on each side of the tail to set your length then get a few more in squaring off the hide.

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then roll it over and get the belly pulled down and pinned

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bring the back legs around to the belly side and pin them down and together, so it looks like all belly.

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then make sure the back is all squared up and straight, as this is where they measure to for sizing.

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using the cutoff ends of a plastic coat hanger as a leg spreader, insert them into the front legs like this...

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then with a pin inside like this

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pin the front legs forward and together like this

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having the front and back legs like this helps to give the illusion that the belly is that much longer. no, you arent tricking anyone into believing it really is, but when it looks real nice it is easier for them to dig a little deeper into their pockets.

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when they are completly dry i remove them from the board then rub borax into the hair real well. then take them outside and shake as much out, then i will run a shopvac over them cleaning them up as good as i can

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that there is how i do my cats, and it works well for me.

thanks,

michael
 
I've never seen bobcat put up this way and I've been trapping for thirty years. Not saying it's wrong and I'm always open to new ideas. But before I try something new I'd like to ask a few questions. Does the borax leave any residue? Do you send your cats directly to one of the major auction houses and do you make average, better, or top lot? Or do you treat your fur this way for local buyers? Is the pelt still considered raw fur by NAFA (as borax is considered a curing agent)? I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Can an experienced fur grader see that the pelt was treated with borax and if so, will it be downgraded?". Heck, maybe everyone uses borax and I'm the only one who doesn't, although in my circles the subject has never come up.
 
I put my coyotes and cats up basically the same way. I sold them at our state auction and bot better than average for both species. The Borax will doesn't leave a residue other than maybe a dust, which a shop vac or in my case the air compressor will remove. It leaves the fur clean and fluffier than if left. Can a fur grader see that it's been Boraxed? I don't know. I do know that it makes my pelts look fancier and they bring more money.
 
Yes, the fur buyers know they've been borax and a lot of them are very tired of the dust that get's into the lungs and eyes.
I use some borax on the hide's but still dry the old way and usually drum the hides.
To much work involved to get the hides then ruin them by missing something, in the drying process.
There isn't a wrong way to do any of this, just do what feels right to you or what you are use to doing.
 
that stretch is called the Nevada Stretch. best way to do cats. at the big auctions borax is added to drumming.
borax is a preservative and a great dry shampoo.

congrats on the great kitties....
 
like i said, no wrong way- well to a point, this is just another way. i prefer them this way and have without question noticed an increase in prices. i ship my cats to nafa for the most part.

yes there is still some residue, yes they notice it, but none have ever had a cross word. in fact i get compliments from the cats all the time.

as far as toplot, from this area it would have to be real special to make toplot and they are few and far between. you arent going to make a princess out of a turd, but you can sprucen up the butter-faces a bit so as to not be embarrased to be seen in public with them.

and yes, most call this the nevada style or nevada stretch named for many of the pioneers of early western cat trapping methods.
 
Originally Posted By: borkonMike. heres my first cat. just took him off the board.
what do ya think??. 45.5" nose to base of tail.
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again, congratulations on a great cat with a great story to go with it. ive shot a few over the years by chance, and you are always shocked to see a cat doing dumb things. it is illegal to set snares in dry culverts here, but that is a very good way to pile up cats where it is allowed. many people dont even realize cats use them culverts as often as they do. i know a guy who has taken as many as 70+ western cats on a roadline with only snares in culverts.
 
Originally Posted By: EJ ReichenbachDo you guys build your own stretchers if not where does a guy buy some of those? And can you put up coyotes on them? Thanks

yes coyotes and cats can be put up on the same adjustable stretcher. i have to look it up but ill give you a phone number of the guy who makes mine- best ive found
 
I built some this year that I really like. They have the wire nose piece made out of 1/4" wire and the sides are 1" wood. They work on both cats and coyotes and even fox and coon. The bottom is adjustable for width and the nose portion will flex as it needs to fit the pelt. Tom Krouse explains how to make them in his DVD.
 
Originally Posted By: Jack KelleyI built some this year that I really like. They have the wire nose piece made out of 1/4" wire and the sides are 1" wood. They work on both cats and coyotes and even fox and coon. The bottom is adjustable for width and the nose portion will flex as it needs to fit the pelt. Tom Krouse explains how to make them in his DVD.

I built some of these as well but wasnt sure what Tom did in the video to attach them to the wood, so I just epoxied them in after I drilled the holes.
 


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