Ok, so I caught my first mink on Sunday morning (nice start to 2012, if you ask me) and I'd like some feedback on the put-up since I've never done one before. From everything I read, it's pretty similar to doing a muskrat, so that's how I tried to proceed. Based on FHA specs, this mink was about 3/4" shy of being a 2x.

Thanks!

Looks good but I thought the legs go on the back. Dont take my word im no pro on mink.

Good job on the PA mink!

Looks mint but I tack the legs on the tail side and pleat tail

Front legs look fine, I tuck mine in but dont think it matters

Trim the chin

Nice job

Humm...3 for 3 that the rear legs should be on the back of the board. Guess I'll have to put a warm damp towel on it and try to swing them over to the other side of the board.

Noel,

Here is a close-up of the chin. The lower lip was trimmed, but it rolled a little bit and made it look bigger than it really was. Should I trim it some more?

Thanks everyone for your input!

Although having the legs on the same side of the board as the tail is preferred nowadays, I would not attempt to change it now as it should not affect the price you will get. You did a great job! You can put the legs on the tail side on all your future mink.

You did a very nice job. Mink are my favorite to catch, and put up. I have talked to several fur buyers, and they have said back legs can be on back or front of board, and it will not affect price. I tuck my front legs in with card board wedges, and remove wedge when dry. All this does is allow for easier stacking, and gives them a uniform look. If that is the first you ever put up you did a great job. I have seen guys that have put up dozens not due nearly the job.

I think most of us wish our first Mink put up looked that nice !

Couple small things, but overall you did very well.

- You could use 3 pins at the mouth to keep it in place as it dries.
- Tuck the front legs in or pin them shut.
- Legs to the tail side as mentioned.

Can someone please post pic of a mink put up with back legs on back of board.

Thanks for the nice compliments guys. I guess I thought that as long as the front legs were cut short to prevent rotting in the armpits, they could be left out on all furbearers. With regard to pleating the tail, I thought this was just an appearance thing and didn't realize it was the proper way to do a mink. I'll incorporate these changes on all future mink.

Shephard, this was not my first time to put up fur, but it was my first mink. I just started trapping last year.

BTW - I e-mailed my local country buyer to ask him if there will be a price difference between having the legs on the front or back. I'll let everyone know what he says.

My bad its fine the way it is
It looked like it was hanging loose
Now wipe off that sawdust and go catch some more mink

Pleating is the preference of only some buyers.

My buyer will not even consider buying a Mink with a pleated tail.

Yeah, a little bit stuck to the pelt when I tumbled it. I'll brush it off with a stiff nylon bristled brush once it's completely dry.

thanks

I'd put the back legs on the back of the board to give a better window. That or cut it a bit bigger.

Otherwise great job!

and another thing that will increase your average on this mink, take the fur on the tail, and slightly push it up in to the rump area. There is a word for this but I can't remember.
The tail should only be a few inches long when done. Maybe 5 at the most. Makes the inspecting area look thicker.

the word I was looking was pleating the fur.
I hope, sorry... blonde brain fart.

I knew what you meant when you described it. I didn't realize this should have been done. I may try to re-hydrate the tail and do this.

I wouldn't mess with it at this point. It looks just fine, and nothing you have done will hurt its value. You have a better chance of doing more harm than good by trying to "fix" it.

So, re-hydrating the pelt with a warm damp rag and adjusting it isn't a good idea? Or is that more like a last ditch effort to fix major issues rather than to make minor adjustments?

Rehydrating would only be recommended if you really screwed up. Nothing to worry about in your case.

As keck said, don't bother now. They won't downgrade you.
But next mink do that, they will upgrade you some

I do the same thing on raccoon and otter aswell.