All about the beaver!
#6156598
02/13/18 01:40 PM
02/13/18 01:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76 Clearfield County, PA
hubler13f
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76
Clearfield County, PA
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Got my first beaver this morning! Man that was exciting, I don't remember being that excited for my first coyote! It was about 40lbs. I brought it home skinned it out, I think I was doing pretty well until I got to the head and I slipped and cut a cheek, not a big deal since I will end up scraping and tanning it to hang on my own wall or make a beaver hoop. I cut the head off and will be stripping it down and bleaching it for display. I have read so much about beaver being tasty the I decided to cut the hind quarters, front quarters and back straps up and threw them in the crock pot with some cream of mushroom soup and a packet of Lipton Garlic and herb soup mix. I made sure to harvest the castor and oil sacks and will being reading up on what to do with them next. I know they can be ground up together and used for lure which is what I'm leaning towards unless I find a better idea. Also cut the tail off, I think the tail leather is kind of neat looking and would look good as a wallet or something, but I have read that the tail meat can be used for something I just can't remember what. The rest of the carcass will go on a bait pile. Any ideas or suggestions on what to do with this thing? Thanks in advance
Last edited by hubler13f; 02/13/18 01:43 PM. Reason: deleted double word
-OIF 05/03-08/04 -OEF 03/06-12/06 -OIF 11/07-01/09 PTA Member District 4
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Re: All about the beaver!
[Re: hubler13f]
#6156601
02/13/18 01:46 PM
02/13/18 01:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,656 Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,656
Rodney,Ohio
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You can use the tail for making Beaver Tail Oil(BTO) or chunked or sliced for fishing bait. Don't let anyone talk you into eating the tail.
Last edited by SNIPERBBB; 02/13/18 01:47 PM.
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Re: All about the beaver!
[Re: hubler13f]
#6156686
02/13/18 03:51 PM
02/13/18 03:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76 Clearfield County, PA
hubler13f
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76
Clearfield County, PA
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Thanks all! To skin it I followed a video on you tube. Cut the feet off, then the tail and ran the knife straight up from the tail end around the vent to the lower jaw and worked from back to front. I was going to flesh it out and tan it myself and do a beaver hoop for the wall. But since its my first one I went ahead and called my taxidermist and he's going to send it out, have it tanned and make a nice presentation for me. I've been trapping about 5 years now, but just went out after beaver 2 days ago. I can honestly say I have had more fun in the past couple days driving around the dirt roads, looking for beaver dams and sign than I have had trapping in the last two years. There is just something about wading around these small streams and listening to the water that makes it even better than just being out trapping on land. Along with having a long season and being able to utilize so much of the animal this is definitely something I will be sticking with.
-OIF 05/03-08/04 -OEF 03/06-12/06 -OIF 11/07-01/09 PTA Member District 4
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Re: All about the beaver!
[Re: hubler13f]
#6156721
02/13/18 04:36 PM
02/13/18 04:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 253 NY
Jc Fitzy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 253
NY
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Re: All about the beaver!
[Re: hubler13f]
#6157158
02/14/18 12:03 AM
02/14/18 12:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76 Clearfield County, PA
hubler13f
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 76
Clearfield County, PA
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Alright, so I chopped up the tail and it's in a pint jar in the basement, might stay down there until next trapping season then I'll see about separating the beaver tail oil and use the rest for coyote bait. I squeezed the oil out of the sacks and the castors are drying.
So the taste of beaver, I honestly didn't think it was that bad. It definitely had some sort of an herbal/plant taste when it first hits your tongue, but then it mellows out and is a lot like grass fed beef. I definitely prefer the taste of beaver over dog or goat. But it wasn't for the wife, she took a bite and it kinda went something like this: "Uh, ug, nope, yup, that's beaver, nope ,uh, nope, yup that's beaver UG" LOL! So she wasn't a fan. It's something I'll try again, maybe on the grill or frying pan or grind it up for burger. I think the crock pot kind of holds some of that flavor from the fat left on from my hasty cleaning job, where the grill would allow some of it to escape.
Thanks for all of the info!
Last edited by hubler13f; 02/14/18 12:05 AM.
-OIF 05/03-08/04 -OEF 03/06-12/06 -OIF 11/07-01/09 PTA Member District 4
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Re: All about the beaver!
[Re: hubler13f]
#6157369
02/14/18 08:37 AM
02/14/18 08:37 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978 potter co. p.a.
pcr2
"Twerker"
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"Twerker"
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
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knife contact with caster then meat is the reason for lots of nasty tasting meat.
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