I am going to be buying a few new stretchers for coyote and fox and wondering if the extra money for wood is worth it. I have wire now and they seem to work fine. It seems like wire is better for the skin side to continue to dry after turning.

The only thing I use wire for is muskrat.

Here we go!

same here, wire for rats- wood for everything else

Wood boards for me, as they provide the ability to pin out a square butt and the tail, they also provide overall better consistency in shape and fur density thus providing better overall appearance.

If you are happy with wire, fine. Purchase a few wood and see what you think.

I agree with what bctomcat has to say. All wood for me as well.
Wood gives each species a uniform appearance, while keeping the dense fur in skirt/butt area. No tee pee shaped pelts.

I like how my Fox, Coyote, Coon & Mink look using wood...






I like the uniform appearance by drying on wood...

Wood.

Wood for me too.

Hey Boco.....careful what you post these Wisc boys can't put stuff like that on wood, with no wolf season down there.

Go with wire....cause that bell bottom look is COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOol and maybe the fad will come back to the 70's again.

I think those that use wire On rats are losing money. But It Is what It Is.

Nice looking fur, Hern. I guess you guys convinced me to try some wood. I have already installed wood skirting boards on my wire coon boards like the NAFA examples.

You can convert your rat boards as well, just make it so they can not creep up as the pelt dries, ie hook on bottom to the wood

Thanks 8117 Steve R.
Just thought I would picture examples. A picture is worth a thousands word.
My best to you

All wood even rats.

I use.both. But I get most of it tanned so it doesn't matter for selling to buyer. HOWEVER what I do plan to sell I strech on whichever the buyer prefers. That means if I think I MAY sell it, buyers preference

I decide my fir as such

All early caught is going to tannery

Prime raccoon, beaver and rats stretched at buyers preference

Prime coyote , fox and mink likely going to tannery

Finishing fur is too much work for the low prices of raw fur (for my sections) to sell

Tanned fur takes investment and time to sell but the return it 2-4X the profit

Plastic all the way in this day and age.
That white semi=flex stuff cut into forming boards is great. No bacterial growth. Easy to wipe grease off. The corner round over with wood working bites just fine. No more sticking on lifted wood slivers from wood. Pins go in just fine and the hole semi-close up when pin pulled
just like the kitchen cutting boards plastic, polymer

interesting North

Both wire and wood...

wire for coon wood for yote

Wood, wood, wood.