I do most of my skinning with a utility knife. Dont have to spend time sharpening,just flip the blade around. Keep things as clean as you can. Its a pain to have to pick up the stuff you left laying around before you start skinning. I like wearing an apron with pockets that keep the knives, tail strippers I use all the time handy.

Spray your long hair fur with water after turning to "train" the hair.
Makes the pelts look better than if they were drummed when the're dry and combed.

Removing Burdocks...
*Always remove burdocks before skun'n & flesh'n

I don't spray burdocks to soften.
I use a straight, tight tooth pet comb and work them out, one at a time. Don't try to pull all burdocks at once.

Darn burdocks...


One at a time...


That's better...


pcr- last picture, you can see part of my shop table on wheels. Stationed at my skun'n spot. I keep all skun'n knives, gloves, tail puller, tail splitter, rags, paper towels, combs and such within reach.

i have another i made into a fish cleaning table the same way.

i hate it but i've also had to start wearing reading glasses while working.

i got used to tumbled fur in course sawdust and will fill a feedsack with course sawdust and the hide turned fur in to help soak up fat and keep oil off the hide.

I have a cheap 3 lamp floor lamp Im going to use this year by my skinning hoist seems like I'm always standing in my light
I have a welding magnet on my hoist pole for my knife.
This doesn't apply to the shed but I mounted a plastic trash can to the receiver hitch of my 4 wheeler to haul critters.

Flip'n fur out - Turning fur

I use a bent nail (hook) attached to cord to turn fur out.
Hook in nostril then pulled thru while standing on cord.
This method is fast & smooth and takes less time for me to explain or post pictures.



Yikes! It's dry. I have to turn the pelt.


I stand on cord. But, used table clamp for this series of picture taking.

Drop cord thru pelt and hook thru nostril...



Get nose and ears started...


I usually start the flanks. This is where folks have trouble with tearing a pelt...


Work head thru pelt...




Clean off dried blood, comb, place back of board and comb fur upward...

The above pictures are from one of these Red Fox.

Here are Fox taken from the freezer and thawed.
Sure don't look like much at this point.


After flesh'n, drying, cleaning dried blood, combing and more combing...



Am showing these before & after pics from results of basic fur handling methods. Nothing fancy on these Fox.
Basic stuff- skun'n, flesh'n, board'n, flip'n.
I remove dried blood with borax by rubbing area. I do comb canines alot. Finish combing upward, so hair stands up during final drying.
Using correct board size gives a uniform appearance.

I'm loving this thread Hern, that's great information right there.

Hern I used your rope hook on some fox my friend gave me last year worked great

Go to the appliance store ( or carpet store) and line your floor with large/thick pieces of cardboard. Come spring just burn it. This also adds a little bounce and moisture wicking for the wet critters. A alittle old/used carpet adds more bounce and helps on the old back and hips.

Good tip Calvin.
...line your floor with large/thick pieces of cardboard...old/used carpet adds more bounce and helps on the old back and hips.
also cardboard and/or carpet on cement floor keeps feet warmer

illinideer, neat atv setup. Thanks.
I like the idea of magnet knife holder.
I use a magnetic tray to hold push pins.

I put a rubber bed liner under the skinning machine where the most blood is and cover it and a good portion of the rest of the floor with used carpet. The cardboard wouldn't last long enough to suit me and when it starts to tear up became a trip hazard, wet critters were especially tough on it. You can duct tape the edges of the cardboard or carpet down to concrete floors if they don't want to lay flat.

~ADC~

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Plastic-Panel-63003/202090190 I use two of these under skinning machine and fleshing beam. I lay it down in the garage prior to the season. Keeps the grease and blood from staining the concrete. It cleans up easy and I roll it up at the end of the season and store in shed. On my fourth season . Looks like it will last forever.

auxiliary work lights, similar to this one https://www.lowes.com/pd/All-Pro-LED-Stand-Work-Light/1000012482 are very handy!

I like to use floor dry around my skinning machine to absorb blood, works well, but is a little messy

sawdust here

hern,i built one of those board holders on the side of my beaver table,i don't know how I lived without it,great idea.

There is a bit of a learning curve with the cardboard for sure ADC. This is where the HD stuff you get appliances come in is the key It doesn't curl like the thin stuff....and I tape the edges with the clear packaging tape. About any appliance store will have enough for a few layers if you want (more is better of course).

I toss a lot of wet rats and even a few dumb coon and beaver on it and it dries from both sides this way. I've not had an issue with it coming apart, personally....but I keep fans on the wet stuff constantly so it doesn't go soggy.

I use and like the rubber mats as well if I'm standing in one place long (under my beams).