Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6095385
12/22/17 03:17 PM
12/22/17 03:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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It's ok to freeze for a while before fleshing. NO SALT when fleshing and preparing for the fur market. No freezing after drying for the fur market.
Fur pelts should be dried in a room at between 50-60 degrees F with a fan providing good air circulation. Time to dry will vary by species, but when they become tacky to the touch it is generally time to turn them if to be shipped fur out. For ease of removal use a belly wedge or two with all boards other than split boards, wire stretchers and squirrel and weasel boards.
If a pelt gets to dry to easily turn just wrap it in a damp towel until it becomes pliable, usually 10 -15 minutes for larger pelts like coyote and much less for marten. Don't worry about putting the re-hydrated pelt back on the board fur out. The re-hydrated skin dries very well and quickly, unlike a green skin against wood.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6103649
12/28/17 06:21 PM
12/28/17 06:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166 Up a creek MT
jnsff69
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166
Up a creek MT
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So I finally got my second fox. I skinned him quickly then went out to check the rest of my traps. When I got home I could hardly get my two fingers down his neck when I went to put him on the stretcher. Other than skinning then straight to board anything I can do to help give back the elasticity? I did wrap him with a damp towel for a few mins. to try to re-hydrate the area.
Ya can't miss fur if yur traps are out somewhere. Or so I've been told.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6104288
12/29/17 08:40 AM
12/29/17 08:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166 Up a creek MT
jnsff69
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trapper
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Up a creek MT
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Ok, ya I left it on the counter for about an hour. I'll have to remember that for the next one. Another question is when I cut the nose how much of the cartilage do I leave in there when I board the animal. As you know coyotes have about 3/4" of cartilage and it kinda looks funny to me with the nose so high off the board. Sorry one more question really quick. Do I put the fur hanger through the eye hole?
Ya can't miss fur if yur traps are out somewhere. Or so I've been told.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6104363
12/29/17 10:14 AM
12/29/17 10:14 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,848 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,848
Wisconsin
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No reason to take off any cartilage In the nose. Take off the lower jaw and trim off the lips all the way to the nose.
When your drying the leather side of your hide you need to have It on the stretcher. And hang It up so It dries evenly.
Last edited by The Beav; 12/29/17 10:14 AM.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6104641
12/29/17 03:31 PM
12/29/17 03:31 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,709 The great cage state Colorado
Monster Toms
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,709
The great cage state Colorado
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When skinning swift/kit fox they need all four feet and lower lip for optimum pay. you can wash and snap dry to make them fit the stretcher better. If it is just neck issues a spray bottle will moisten areas enough to accomplish what you need.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6104667
12/29/17 03:54 PM
12/29/17 03:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166 Up a creek MT
jnsff69
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166
Up a creek MT
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Thanks guys. & ya I'll dry it on the stretcher. Was just wondering about the hanger cuz I have high hopes that I get to fill a couple of them this year... still a slow start for me so far. I can't seem to find the animals that want to step in my traps. Plus I think I might be leaving them in the same spot too long. But we'll see. Always learning.
Ya can't miss fur if yur traps are out somewhere. Or so I've been told.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: bctomcat]
#6105771
12/30/17 12:16 PM
12/30/17 12:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200
Armpit, ak
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It's ok to freeze for a while before fleshing. NO SALT when fleshing and preparing for the fur market. No freezing after drying for the fur market.
Fur pelts should be dried in a room at between 50-60 degrees F with a fan providing good air circulation. Time to dry will vary by species, but when they become tacky to the touch it is generally time to turn them if to be shipped fur out. For ease of removal use a belly wedge or two with all boards other than split boards, wire stretchers and squirrel and weasel boards.
If a pelt gets to dry to easily turn just wrap it in a damp towel until it becomes pliable, usually 10 -15 minutes for larger pelts like coyote and much less for marten. Don't worry about putting the re-hydrated pelt back on the board fur out. The re-hydrated skin dries very well and quickly, unlike a green skin against wood.
Why do you recommend not freezing or storing dry pelts in frozen environment? Any body can answer this as this is a new one to me.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Dirt]
#6105931
12/30/17 02:29 PM
12/30/17 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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Why do you recommend not freezing or storing dry pelts in frozen environment? Any body can answer this as this is a new one to me. It appears I had a rare brain fart at that point. No problem with freezing dried pelts if your holding over for the next season. Actually it's recommended. I just never hold over and always send to the next available auction and until that time keep them hanging in my shop..
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6106244
12/30/17 06:26 PM
12/30/17 06:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166 Up a creek MT
jnsff69
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166
Up a creek MT
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I'm sure it's not recommended but how bad is it if the fur is wet when put on the board? Skin out.
Ya can't miss fur if yur traps are out somewhere. Or so I've been told.
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6106390
12/30/17 08:03 PM
12/30/17 08:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200
Armpit, ak
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I do occasionally put fur out pelts on boards with damp spots. I wouldn't call them sopping wet. Mold is going to depend on temperature and how long before you turn them. Coyotes will be somewhat damp in areas from cleaning blood and will take awhile to dry. Could mold, but I prevent this by putting them in a freezer( anywhere not my house) for a few hours minimum to retard anything wanting to grow and bring them back in to finish drying. Marten are ready to turn before any chance of mold. Before putting fur out stuff back on the board after turning I place the damp boards near the wood stove and they are dry in 5 -15 minutes. Otter are recommended to keep damp when processing and boarded damp hoping most moisture is absorbed into the wood stretcher.
Last edited by Dirt; 12/30/17 08:16 PM.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: First time fleshing and stretching questions?
[Re: Nodak63]
#6106703
12/30/17 11:11 PM
12/30/17 11:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166 Up a creek MT
jnsff69
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166
Up a creek MT
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Odd question... Does anybody know why fox boards/stretchers aren't shaped the same as a coyote? Would something be hurt if I made my fox stretchers the same style as coyote but a smaller scale?
Ya can't miss fur if yur traps are out somewhere. Or so I've been told.
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