That is an interesting point, Boco, about the $2 to $3 more per pelt. Never heard that one before. Every NAFA and FHA pelt handling manual I've ever seen or read has specified saddle removal is acceptable for both Northern and Western sections of mink. If you re-read my first post closely, you'll see I said it is acceptable for the leaner Western and Northen mink to be left saddle intact. I didn't say they should all be removed, just the fatty ones. I expect you haven't handled very many coastal Western/ Northern mink?? If you did, you would see what kind of fat I'm talking, which is why the auction house pelt handling manuals specify removal of saddle in these sections, is fine. Leaving saddles intact with the fattier Western/ Northern mink, will result in oxidized fat, and or grease burn.




Mink like the previous two pictured, will result in saddles like the following picture.



The above photo is the removed saddle from ONE mink, not including the loose handful of fat pulled off of the exterior of the saddle, easily accomplished with a paper towel for grip.

That plate looks like a picture of Yukon Jeffs lunch.
Nice pile of mink T4E,they sure are hogs.Nice job on keeping them grease free with that much fat.
With that many mink do you sell direct to a manufacturer?

Back from NAFA.

Ranch mink are scraped CLEAN no saddles.

There goes 2 or 3 bucks.

I already posted how ranch mink are fleshed,that is the standard and the buyers know there will be no root damage because they are fleshed with machines with rubber fleshers.
Ranch mink is not the same as wild mink.Different animal.They are also handled fur out,nothing at all like a wild mink.

I bet those ranch mink are real fat. No exercise and all that cheese. Probably why they take the saddle off.

Plus it is hard to damage prime pelts, not so with wild mink pelts caught in Oct and early November 15 degrees latitude south of me and more.

Ranch fur is a mechanized assembly line operation all the way thru,they have no choice.Is why the ranch mink coats sell a dime a dozen compared to a well matched wild mink garment designed and put together by an Italian master.
Hand crafted is always better.

Some very nice put-up on display. Interesting the amount of differences that can exist within a wild population, depending on it's geographical location. It's been another example of how prime well-handled fur brings the better prices. Congrats on the Top Lots gentlemen.

Isn't the leather also better on wild mink than ranched mink? Those mink look nice trapped4ever. Kind of Christmas like with all those pins in that first picture! You weren't going to eat that were you? Looks like a good way to feed the wood stove.

I was gonna do a few more pelt finishing posts for discussion for each species,but the trolls kind of take them off course and de-rail them.So maybe someone else might have more luck with it.

Did you not ask how other people put up their mink, then argue pointlessly how they do it wrong ? Why would anybody share?

No I did not,I just pointed out how the industry wants mink handled,from the tanners,and manufacturers point of view and why.
Out of 3 pages only two others put up pictures of their mink for discussion.One showing why he had no choice but to scrape off the saddles.Then idiot trolls started talking about ranch mink etc,not relevant at all to the topic.And other posters stating wrong facts,about sections etc,to which I responded with pics of auction documents of my mink that are northern.And went on to explain how fat mink can be handled with saddles on as per manufacturers preference(acknowledging the fact that in some extreme cases saddles may have to be removed),and why buyers have more confidence in mink with saddles.

One idiot in particular took it way off topic with every post as they like do with most of their posts.

All discussion on my end was refuting arguments against the stated intent of this post which was why mink are preferred to have saddles intact with related documentation.I never stated anyone was wrong to scrape saddles off their mink,if they have a plateful of fat under the saddle.But that scraping off saddles just because there is some fat under it is not necessary or beneficial.

trapped4ever, that's a lot a tacks! BTW, great job on them mink...

" Do not remove the red saddle. The saddle on mink
protects the skin from over scraping which can cause hair root
damage. A mink with the saddle removed usually brings $2 to
$3 less than a mink with the saddle on. If the saddle has excess fat
under it, gently scrape the saddle pushing the grease and oil out.

This appears to be the latest from FHA.

"I Think the buyers feel more confident in a collection and pay a little more." Boco opinion.

I think a single mink with the saddle removed when the root hairs are damaged will bring less money than one without damage. I don't think buyers have a magic $2 or $3 less they are paying for a saddle less mink pelt. I see nothing here saying that overall collections are bought on a $2 or $3 less basis because some have saddles removed and some don't.

Anything is possible though.

Some day I'll figure out how to post pics of my put up. It's not happing anytime soon.

Poor Boco Is ticked off and Is taking his toys and going home. Come on Boco I didn't think you were that sensitive keep on posting your put ups. Just because we don't always agree with you don't quit on us.
You have to agree that there are more then one way to skin a cat.

Thanks for checking Beav.

History:

Source: NAFA Wild Fur Pelt Handling Manual 1995

"The commercial mink rancher's methods for producing well handled top value pelts and expertise in the proper boarding methods of leather out mink can certainly be adopted by trappers. All the credit for this technique must go to the Canada Mink Breeders Association and those individuals involved in mink management research and marketing"

This is where the NAFA put up came from. 20 some years ago

Page 17

"A WELL HANDLED MINK

1. Lower lip removed
2. Front legs removed or tucked in
3. A good inspection window 1-11/2" above base of tail
4. Saddle removed where fat or grease is present
5. Back legs boarded on the back side of the board"

Nafa should correct number 4 to read "where EXCESSIVE fat or grease is present"

They should have checked in the fur bible which predates that by quite a bit.FHA got it right.

So for the edification of all, what is the "trapping bible"?

It was written by Pope Boco. LOL

The bottom line Is this. If the market Is high then put up Isn't a huge factor. When the market Is In the toilet It still doesn't matter. LOL

Before you shoot down the book,know that one of the biologist we have here on T-Man contributed to the section on mink biology(not fur handling)a fellow by name of Jackson Whitman.