I need to make up some bever boards for stretching and don't know where to get the patterns. Is it better to stretch them on a boards or use the beaver hoops?

Thanks

All the fur buyers want them oval. You can get the pattern from NAFA free. Just buy some good plywood and you'll never have to buy it again. Cut a 4 x 8 sheet in half and pattern both sides and there you go. When you nail them up pull the pelt up off the board on the nails to aid in drying both sides at once. Plus drying them in an oval pattern you don't lose fur density which is paramount nowadays with the market the way it is.

Chris is right of course, you can get the patterns from either NAFA or FHA, but IMO patterns aren't really necessary. The beaver will tell you how to stretch him, you just have to pay attention.
Staple the nose of your beaver at the top, then measure down to the half way point. At mid way, grasp each side of the pelt, pulling it out to the sides and staple in place. then staple the bottom (tail end) where it ends up. You now have a diamond shaped hide on the board.
Now go to the leg holes and pull them out (first the front legs, then the back), you now have eight points stapled and you should have a general oval shape (some are more round or oval than others, but always oval, but then all beaver are different).
At this point start nailing alternate sides (one left, one right, one top, one bottome again left to right)at the mid point between staples. When you get to the existing staples, replace them with nails and pull your staples.
At a point midway between the nose and eye holes drive a nail, and working in an arc, drive nails about 1 inch apart out to the nails just below the lip area, smooth it up, and trim away everthing above the nails (you are cutting away the lips and nose area, giving the beaver a rounded appearance at the top.
When you are done, you should have nails spaced about an inch or less apart all the way around the beaver). Then nail your leg holes closed. Once you have done that, pull the pelt away from the board to allow air to circulate freely between the board and skin, and you are done.
I like #6 Box nails for this, and it takes a lot of them, so get plenty.
Hope that helps.

Well said Mark, I have never used pattern's for beaver I thought I might be just lazy. Later I found out that the Bev. will tell you how to board them. Good info!

pm me your name and address and I will get you a beaver pattern. I highly recommend that you use a beaver pattern.
Cheers Jim

try this.

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...html#Post488267

I cut a 4x8 sheet into thirds you get three 4 foot by 32 in boards that way

Jim, I don't disagree with using a pattern and understand why you would recommend it to someone who probably hasn't boarded many beaver. However, he needs to understand that patterns are general in measurement, and HOW to choose the right ring when using one. Then he needs to understand that it is the rare beaver that fits any pattern perfect. Knowing that my opinion stands, patterns aren't really necessary, but paying attention to what the beaver "tells" you is (whether you use a pattern or not). No trial and error the way I do it, lol.

Mark, your information is correct but for someone who is just starting out or for someone who only does a couple of beaver a year the use of a pattern is an important step.
Both auction companies give away the pattern templates for free for a very good reason.
Fur Harvesters Auction patterns are designed to nail the beaver on the size oval. Yes you will have some beaver that fit between the oval patterns but 90% will nail right on the line.
To order a set of templates you can e-mail us at
fha@furharvresters.com
We need your name and complete mailing address.
Information on pelt handling can be found at this link.
http://www.furharvesters.com/pelthandling.htm
Information on some of our education material can be found on this link.
http://www.furharvesters.com/publications.htm

Cheers
Jim

Steve & Jim, I agree completely. Someone who is just beginning probably should use the patterns AS A GUIDE until they get the hang of it anyway.
Steve based on what you are saying above, it sounds like you agree with me when I say you can over-stretch a beaver, thus causing the fur to be less dense. One of the reasons I like nails over staples is that the nails give thus preventing that.
One of the things I do once I have pulled the beaver away from the board (to the end of the nails) is push on the hide at the center point. It should "push" all the way back to the wood. When it dries it will be tight as a drum head, and you can see the give in the nails.

I have a bunch of beaver in the freezer taken from Tennessee. I have read that these beaver are best stretched tight due to there fur density. Typically I would not overstretch a beaver. I was told that if it ment pulling a little harder to gain that next size increment it would not matter to these southern beaver. Is there any truth to this? Hey, they are what they are. Now I need my back to straighten up to get these done, LOL.

Get the patterns and if you have a problem use the info in this link. It works. Tom

http://books.google.com/books?id=f_ViRN4litIC&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=how+to+draw+a+perfect+oval+with+string&source=web&ots=EDS1oVDQNe&sig=f6rYFemechmcEotaIybxYo7ovFY#PPA46,M1

Ask the supplier!

I like the hoops for 3 reasons it's very hare to over stretch, they dry in half the time. They also take up less room.this is how I put up my beaver.

after there on the hoop with hog rings trim the front legs.



sew around the edge of the leg hole.



sin ch the hole closed and tie off to close it.





when it's finished it will look like this.


note that the hog ring's are only about 1 inch apart or the width of your index finger.

Wow I wished I would have know about "how to make an oval 15 yrs ago. Not for beaver but at work back then I had to make an 8'-6" oval tanker for a semi trailer. I used this complicated mathmatical stuff to turn a cirle into a oval, but it worked. Now I find out all thats needed is 2 nails a string and a marker? WOW

I appreciate everyones feedback.I contacted Gibb for the patterns.Thanks guys

Marc