Is it necessary to remove and does anyone have any tips. I haven't done it before but tried last nite and now I have a yote with half an ear on each side.

Not necessary to remove.

Just separate the cartilidge from the skin/fur on BACK of the ear.

Pete

I must not understand what you are doing. If your separating, why not just remove it. Only takes a few seconds.



I wouldn't worry about it, you won't get docked for it. Better than having it rot. Try doing a grey fox,their the worst.

http://www.furharvesters.com/FOXears-handout.pdf
It is the easiest to do on fox you need more elbow grease for coyote. You will be left with only the back of the ear.
We have started receiving fur for this sale and already we are finding fox lynx and coyote will the ears slipping.
You can handle the ears any way you want but this is the best method. Most trappers do not have a clue about taking out the ear cartilage.
Cheers Jim

Would a guy get docked if he did the same thing on a coon?

I tend to mess up and cut the ear holes to big anyways......

Greg you can trim the ears right of the coon, the grader prefer them this way. You should end up with a hole about the size of a quater or smaller.
Cheers Jim

If I am understanding this right only the back skin of the ears remain on the pelt and the inner ear skin stays with the ear cartlidge and head on carcass?

If you are sure your fur is just going into the "fur trade," go ahead and lop off ears.

If you want to have a chance of selling your skins for taxidermy or just as "wall hangers" in private sales, you will want to just "turn the ears."

To turn the ear, simply separate the skin on the back of the ear from the cartilidge, leaving all these pieces-parts still attached to the skin.

Trying to remove the cartilidge commonly results in rips and tears that will become more pronounced in the tanning process. And it is not necessary for complete and proper drying of the ears.

The process is a lot easier to SHOW than it is to describe in writing!

Pete

Uh-oh! Are you supposed to turn the ears on fox and coyote? I never did it on the fox I have hangin in the shed and its already dry.

if you dont remove ear cart on fox and tan it yourself the hair will slip i had that happen one time before so i turn ears now ebay brings some good money on tanned fox

Not tanning, shipping to NAFA.

Removing the ear cartilage is best done while on the carcass. If you have left them on just make sure you get them to dry hard. If you have a constat source of heat they should dry ok. You can check by giving a little pull on the short hair on the back of the ears.
Cheers Jim

This is what it looks like.
Cheers Jim