In the past, I have saved for several years the wires from political signs, using the wire for this and that. I now have come up with a good use for the wire. I am making Dried Pelt Hangers to hang my fur once I remove it from the stretchers. Below I will try and give a detailed explanation on how to create the hangers.
STEP ONE:If the signs have been used and in the ground the two ends may be rusted and have earth caked on them. I used a fine file and some sand paper to clean and polish the ends.
STEP TWO: Straighten wire by putting it in a vise, right at the bend and straighten it out. Some of the wire can be done by using only your hands and others may take a little persuasion of a hammer.
STEP THREE: Depending on how long you want your hangers to be will determine how long you measure the wire. I make mine so I have 17 inches of hanging surface. The first measurement is 19 inches. Mark your length and put in vise, and make a right angle bend. Use the hammer to make it as sharp as possible. The next measurement is 4 inches, then bend. The next measurement I make is 19 inches. Find the center of this measurement, which is 9.5 inches. At the 9.5 inches mark make a slight bend as shown in the illustration below. Next, measure another 4 inches then an additional 1 inch. The last 1 inch you bend up into a tight "U" shape with just enough room for your wire to lay in the groove.
You may have to adjust several of your bends to make sure they are correct and straight.
STEP FOUR: From a separate piece of wire, about 5 inches long form a tight loop with a diameter of at least twice the diameter of the wire used for the hanger. At the other end of the wire form a wider open loop for the hanging end. Open up the small loop and fit over the center of your hanger, and close it. I like the hanging end loop bent 90 degrees from the close end.
STEP FIVE: 
As shown in the above photo, round the end of the wire with your file and smooth it. This will be the piece, that runs through the eye of your pelt.
The above view shows the hanger in the closed position.
The above photo shows one of the hangers with assorted sizes of dried rat pelts.
If you don't have political signs laying around you can also use a heavy gage wire like No. 9 or heavier. You should make sure the wire is not a soft wire, but something like the No. 9 wire used in farm fences.
The four inch measurement is used because I use the same hangers for raccoon and other longer nosed animals.
Like I always say, ... "Another few dollars saved is another trap in the bucket".
Happy trapping.
Garry-
Joking aside, awesome post!! Very nice job.
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