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Skinning Beavers #61588
01/28/07 03:27 PM
01/28/07 03:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
rodentrangler Offline OP
trapper
rodentrangler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
How much time does it take you guys to skin a beaver? Do you have any tricks that you can share with me so I can speed up this CHORE.


I like beaver.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: rodentrangler] #61633
01/28/07 04:12 PM
01/28/07 04:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,263
Lakeland,Minnesota
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Bogmaster Offline
trapper
Bogmaster  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,263
Lakeland,Minnesota
The best way to speed up your skinning,do a bunch.You will develope a technique that works well for you.
I use a loppers and remove the feet and tail before I start.Nothing special after that.One thing that helps a lot,several sharp knives--that is one major key to speeding up ,skinning.
Tom


If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping.
Tom Olson
MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Bogmaster] #61702
01/28/07 05:01 PM
01/28/07 05:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,914
Oregon
TasteLikeChicken Offline
trapper
TasteLikeChicken  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,914
Oregon
Amen Bogmaster...spoken as a true beaverman! Lopers for the feet speeds it up a bunch. I leave the tail on. Several knives is key. I like a sharp pointy one for zipping them open from the chin to vent. Some guys like cutter knives...I open them up between my fingers with the knifetip ...just as in gutting a deer. Don't cut them too deep with the cutter knife or you have a mess on your hands...been there, done that.

I really like my Dexter beaver knife. I use 3 of them..RAZOR sharp. When they cut hard at all...change to the next sharp knife. I just touch the area and it cuts like butter with a hot knife. You don't have to fight it..it should be effortless.

I use 6"x8" wooden blocks cut into wedges to stabilize them as I roll them. I'm going to make up a beaver trough...as I think this will speed that area up.

But...biggest thing. Practice makes perfect. After the first 100 it's easy...LOL. I'll skin 5 beaver to one coyote any day of the week!


Sack Punch Beaver Lure
http://www.tlclures.co.nr/
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: TasteLikeChicken] #61712
01/28/07 05:05 PM
01/28/07 05:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
rodentrangler Offline OP
trapper
rodentrangler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
TLC, you go from chin to tail, I read somewhere tail to chin, just preference?


I like beaver.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Bogmaster] #61727
01/28/07 05:13 PM
01/28/07 05:13 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
Under 8 minutes in a hurry....probably 10-12 minutes on average.

Tricks?? Not really, but I have a couple suggestions.

1. Use a trough.
2. Have some sawdust handy to stop any bleeding
3. Have a couple different knives (as Tom says)
4. Find a knife sharpener that works for you and stick with it

Here's my process:

Beaver in trough....head to my right. Using small pen knife split from lip to tail.....make mouth cuts. Grab big knife, cut off feet and tail. Grab round nosed skinnning knife....skin one side to back bone...from tail to ear. When I cut around the neck I always get blood...so there's a breif pause when I throw some sawdust in. Grab beaver by feet and spin him around. If you do it just right, the hide that is skinned will end up over the far side of the trough and out of any blood that may have spilled. Skin other side to back bone....then tail to head. Cut off ears...pull, trim, cut around eyes, pull, cut....pull....cut pelt free from front teeth.

Fold pelt....toss carcass....wipe trough with sawdust....sharpen skinner on diamond steel.....grab another beaver....repeat.

I use a trough that fits on a table instead of one with legs.....so my tools can go right under it. The bucket of sawdust is to my right....no reaching for anything. The only knife that get's sharpened alot is the skinner. The others get it once a week or so. I have used loppers.....but find a big knife is faster for removing the legs and tail. One quick swipe and twist....

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: rodentrangler] #61731
01/28/07 05:16 PM
01/28/07 05:16 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Get yourself one of those razor knives with the hook blade. You'll never open a beaver, coon or many other critters with anything else. It works SLICK!

~ADC~

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: ] #61742
01/28/07 05:20 PM
01/28/07 05:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
rodentrangler Offline OP
trapper
rodentrangler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
I had trouble getting the hide over the leg stumps? So your saying that the hide is pulled off the body instead of cutting it free?


I like beaver.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: rodentrangler] #61751
01/28/07 05:24 PM
01/28/07 05:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
That part just comes with practice. Once you learn exactly where you can cut without hitting fur it's quick.

I cut as far around the leg towards the back as I can....then the same on the tail side....then roll the hide over the stump...even though it won't go all the way....a couple small cuts and it goes....then I cut the backside. I leave a lot of the "ham" on the pelt....just what works for me.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: DanielE] #61753
01/28/07 05:26 PM
01/28/07 05:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
rodentrangler Offline OP
trapper
rodentrangler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
Well I'm leaving now to give it a try, again. Thanks to all. Jim


I like beaver.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: rodentrangler] #61756
01/28/07 05:27 PM
01/28/07 05:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,263
Lakeland,Minnesota
B
Bogmaster Offline
trapper
Bogmaster  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,263
Lakeland,Minnesota
I never skin a beaver the same day I catch it--unless temps are extremely hot.I lay them on their backs on newspaper,in a cool spot--garage floor,etc..By leaving them this way for a day or two,all the blood in the head coaggulates,thus ,no bloody mess when skinning.
Another tip-When ripping from the top of the anus to the chin.Cut very shallow the first few inches--deep cut,will result in ripped castors.
Tom

Last edited by Bogmaster; 01/28/07 05:46 PM.

If my feet aren't wet,I must not be trapping.
Tom Olson
MTA life member#100,also WTA life member
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Bogmaster] #61762
01/28/07 05:31 PM
01/28/07 05:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
Originally Posted By: Bogmaster
I lay them on their backs on newspaper,in a cool spot--garage floor,etc..By lwaving them this way for a day or two,all the blood in the head coaggulates,thus ,no bloody mess when skinning.


I do the same....on their backs...on saw dust...on concrete....still get a little blood in the neck though.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: DanielE] #61767
01/28/07 05:34 PM
01/28/07 05:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,919
Lotw MN
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Grubstake Offline
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Posts: 3,919
Lotw MN
id really like to see a pic of someones skinning trough.
The knife that has worked best 4 me is a scalpel from VanDykes with replaceable blades. when they start to get dull toss em and throw in another.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Grubstake] #61817
01/28/07 06:05 PM
01/28/07 06:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,862
SE Kentucky
K
kytrapper Offline
trapper
kytrapper  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,862
SE Kentucky
Insert your knife inside each leg after you cut them off and ring around on the inside between the meat and the fur. The legs will pop right out when you get to them.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: kytrapper] #61825
01/28/07 06:11 PM
01/28/07 06:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 939
Madawaska, Maine
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Bryan Daigle Offline
trapper
Bryan Daigle  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 939
Madawaska, Maine
Grubstake, go to the head of this page to The Gallery link and click on #12. That,ll be pauls dad charlie dobbins at work using his trough.


Life member of Maine and National Trappers Associations.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Bryan Daigle] #61864
01/28/07 06:39 PM
01/28/07 06:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,365
East, Kentucky
KYBOY Offline
trapper
KYBOY  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,365
East, Kentucky
Ive never liked skinning trough's myself. I just lay mine on their back. Guess its just my system but a trough slows me down to much. Skinning one on its back I wont have to move it more than a couple of times. I start out with the beaver facing away from me then when I have it skinned all the way to the shoulders Ill spin it around to where the heads facing me. After that its time to flip em' over. Plenty of sharp knives and plenty of practice.


Deep in the heart of Appalachia....
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Bryan Daigle] #61878
01/28/07 06:48 PM
01/28/07 06:48 PM

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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Average time is about 15-20 minutes.
I let them sit overnight on their backs and skin them the next day but occasionally skin them on the ice when I have a long walk out. I grab the feet and twist them at the ankle or wrist joint and then slice them off with the same knife I skin them with. I leave the tail for a handle. I use a fillet knife that is razor sharp and keep it that way by taking a few swipes on a diamond steel a couple of times through out the process.I then cut from chin to tail and around the base of the tail. Next I skin one side to the center of the back from tail to chin and then do the next side the same way. Having more than one knife would probably make it faster but I am pretty attached to the one I use. Makes short work out of cod and haddock as well as beaver and otter!

Last edited by downeaster; 01/28/07 06:50 PM.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: ] #62384
01/28/07 11:12 PM
01/28/07 11:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
rodentrangler Offline OP
trapper
rodentrangler  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Pickens, South Carolina
Thanks for all the info.


I like beaver.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: rodentrangler] #62463
01/28/07 11:51 PM
01/28/07 11:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,914
Oregon
TasteLikeChicken Offline
trapper
TasteLikeChicken  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,914
Oregon
I start them at about the sternum and go to the chin, then I go from the sternum to the vent. I agree...they definately skin WAY easier when they are cold.

I'm not as fast as some of the guys on here. But...I clean skin mine, so that might make a bit of a difference speed wise. If I were to leave quite a bit of the back meat attached to the pelt, I could speed it up considereably. But...fleshing is real fast when clean skinned...so that's what I do.


Sack Punch Beaver Lure
http://www.tlclures.co.nr/
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: ] #62899
01/29/07 01:30 PM
01/29/07 01:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,186
Connecticut
Mystic Wildlife Offline
trapper
Mystic Wildlife  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,186
Connecticut
TexA, I was about to ask why people don't just case skin and slit open after fleshing. Makes sense to me. I've not skinned one myself yet but thought that's how I'd do it.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Mystic Wildlife] #63043
01/29/07 03:26 PM
01/29/07 03:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,111
Millville, Pennsylvania
Fairchild #17 Offline
trapper
Fairchild #17  Offline
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Posts: 1,111
Millville, Pennsylvania
I cased skinned my first two beavers this year. Took about a half hour for a newbie. Used an axe to cut off all four feet, made a notch in both sides of the tail at the base so the beaver could be hung from the ceiling by a looped rope. Cut from sternum to base of tail and then around the tail to start. Kept pealing down from there until I was over the head. 75% of the skinning time was spent around the hips and shoulders.
I got a personal lesson on how to do this by Nick Wyshinski.

Last edited by Number17; 01/29/07 03:41 PM.

Nowadays it just don't pay to be a good 'ol boy.
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Fairchild #17] #63065
01/29/07 03:44 PM
01/29/07 03:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
Originally Posted By: Number17
....made a notch in both sides of the tail at the base so the beaver could be hung from the ceiling....


You mean to say the tail held the weight of the Beaver Plus the pulling while skinning??? Not that I doubt...but I couldn't get that to work.

I've done them on a power skinner in a similair fashion...split from sternum to tail, around tail, cut off legs and tail, skin hind quarters, loop snare ext cable around hind quarters then pull the rest of the way. Not at all any faster that what I'm currently doing, and more moving parts.

One thing that's plain as day when reading this thread...99% of it is just what works for you. I was taught differently than I do. I tried to mimmick...and it wouldn't work smoothly! So I just stuck with it, and now have my own system.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Fairchild #17] #63074
01/29/07 03:48 PM
01/29/07 03:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,185
SW MT
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phutch30 Offline
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SW MT
I also case mine. Takes about 15 min to skin and another 15-20 to flesh without working up a sweat.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: phutch30] #63586
01/29/07 09:46 PM
01/29/07 09:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 147
Central Iowa, 66 years
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Griz1 Offline
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Griz1  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 147
Central Iowa, 66 years
It is obvious that there is not just one way to skin a beaver. I lop off all four feet. Then I make a cut from chin to tail. Next I skin one side down until the ends of the legs pop through the pelt. Each leg skins easy as long as you cut perpendicular to the leg bone until the end of the leg pops through the pelt. When the skinning gets awkward, I go to the other side and skin it down by the same procedure until the ends of the legs pop through the pelt and it gets awkward to skin further. I now hook the choke chain on my skinning machine to the tail and lift the beaver up so it is hanging by the tail, head down, and at a comfortable height for me to work. Starting at the tail the pelt is cut loose at the tail and then it can be mostly pulled easily to the head. The head can then be skinned much like any other case skinned animal. When the pelt is off it is flat and round ready for fleshing and boarding. The key seems to be get the pelt off in a manner that is handy for you and get it stretched to dry. Practice seems to develop more speed to the way that is comfortable for you. Just my way that is another variant.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Griz1] #63621
01/29/07 09:59 PM
01/29/07 09:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
West Michigan
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dayooper Offline
trapper
dayooper  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
West Michigan
I've only gotten a few but I just pulled one out of the freezer from last spring and when I went to flesh it I forgot that I had partly case skinned it to make fleshing easier...Holy Crap was it easier. I skinned from belly side of tail up to between the front legs and peeled the lower part of the body around like you normally would (after lopping off the legs with loppers), then I skinned it the rest of the way like a coon. It made it so much easier on the beam and fleshed out great. That is how I will do them all from now on.

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: ] #63793
01/29/07 11:30 PM
01/29/07 11:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,800
Iowa (where the tall corn grow...
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Dave Plueger Offline
trapper
Dave Plueger  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,800
Iowa (where the tall corn grow...
I skin all my beaves in a trough. No slipping and sliding and never a drop of blood on the pelt. Ive tried about every method and the trough is the quickest and easiest way I have found. I got the pattern out of Charlies open water beaver book. And Pauls dad had skinned a beaver or two in his lifetime!

Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: Dave Plueger] #63839
01/29/07 11:55 PM
01/29/07 11:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 514
MN
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wcollinge2000 Offline
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Posts: 514
MN
I cut off the feet and cut around the tail . then tail up to chin. back to the bottom and open them up working my way up to the head. like to leave the head area intact as much as I can as the glands around the neck seem to bleed out the most. Guess what I think im building a trough soon as the knees are really hurting lately and I have never seen any one else do a beaver before. not even pictures until I got on this site. looks like it is a bit more relaxing than kneeling with the beaver on the floor . boy am I doing it the hard way.That might just give me more time to catch more .

Last edited by wcollinge2000; 01/30/07 12:00 AM.

trapping is fun chipping ice is not!
Re: Skinning Beavers [Re: ] #64025
01/30/07 08:58 AM
01/30/07 08:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
Originally Posted By: TexA
I don't know why you'd say something like that Daniel.....

I've caught Beaver by the tail in snares and they hang-up pretty good that way when they cinch the loop down tight.


Tex...I said why in my post...I tried it on the power skinner and had a bob-tailed beaver no time. I was using a cable and ripped the tail plumb off. I just don't think pulling a hide off the front shoulders compares very well with tail snaring!

Don't take my statement out of context though...if he can get it to work...GREAT.....more power to him!

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