So what do people do with hi-power rifle shot coyotes that end up having a baseball size hole in them? I have sewn some of these up and shipped them and it seems that it is a toss-up on whether or not it is worth it. I put about 45 minutes in to one that graded damaged and sold for $11 at NAFA. I read the NAFA manual states that anything with 2 or more 4 inch long sewn areas it ends up grading damaged, so what does everyone do with these coyotes shot in such ways?

If you could sell them in the whole for 10 dollars would it be worth it?

It all depends upon how good of a coyote it was before it was shot. You'll have to judge on an individual basis. I'd sew any big northern pales you get.

How do they know how many holes are sewn?

its your call but I sew mine an they sell good I tell buyer they r sewn an as long as it a good job he don't care take your time do good job

How well a damaged coyote grades depends a lot on how well it is sewn up. It isn't enough to just sew up the hole. It has to be sewn up properly. The skin needs to be lined up so that the fur matches on the outside. And the fur around the hole needs to be cleaned up - no blood, no grease, nothing out of the ordinary.

I' know of coyotes and other fur beavers that have been shot and had a big hole that have been sewn up and cleaned up and they grade # 1.

If you are going to just throw a few stitches in the pelt to close the hole and not do a thorough job, you might as well not sew it all. iMO

usually that baseball size hole is really a jagged tear. if your careful you can put it back together pretty nice. often cutting the edges from the skin side not the fur side, into a football shape, cutting only enough to make it easy to sew, and you wont get docked much if anything. you need to look at the tear and see where it matches sides so you know which way the football needs to be.