Muskrat put-up
#6468218
02/20/19 10:40 PM
02/20/19 10:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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I picked up some wire stretchers & 2 sizes of boards. Those using boards---is it reasonable to think owning 2 different sized rat boards is wise? I wonder if wire stretchers are easier.
Last edited by AJE; 02/20/19 11:24 PM.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6468238
02/20/19 10:54 PM
02/20/19 10:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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A buyer I sold round carcass rats to suggested I use wire. I plan to use both methods & get in rythm with what works best for me. Coon Creek's where I had bought the wood stretchers (the larger "standard" 1 is the size the manufacturer recommended I use most: https://www.cooncreektrappers.com/product-p/muskrat.htm ). Their boards are high quality by the way.
Last edited by AJE; 02/20/19 11:21 PM.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6468695
02/21/19 11:29 AM
02/21/19 11:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
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I use 2 sizes of wood boards. My small rats go on Duke wire. Why Duke wire because they are junk and you can bend and re bend to make them fit. Sorry Bill. LOL
In my opinion all commercial made wood rat forms are to wide in the neck and shoulder area. This width will shorten up your rats. And the length of your rats makes a difference In your pay day. And the other thing Is there no way that you can square up the skirt on that rat with wire forms. Well you can add wood to them but then you might as well have wood to begin with.
You would be surprised In what a 1/2 Inch In width can do to your over all length.
I had all my boards made to my specifications.
The other night I sold my rats and a buddies rats to groney. The first thing Guy said to me was I can't believe you went to wire. My buddies rats were on wire.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6468882
02/21/19 02:20 PM
02/21/19 02:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
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But he won't dock you for It. Well that's what he said. LOL
Last edited by The Beav; 02/21/19 02:20 PM.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6469192
02/21/19 07:34 PM
02/21/19 07:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
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I've sold rats twice this season and I was a few cents off of a $4.00 average on both sales (In the country) Not selling at auction this year.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6479717
03/03/19 04:24 PM
03/03/19 04:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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I'm surprised you're not selling at auction this year, Beav.
I'm exploring my options this year for auction sales. Does anyone have a link to their pickup routes? I won't be near their facilities anytime soon. I think Beav said they have facilities in Cambridge & Stoughton. Maybe I'll look into mailing them some pelts if that's a reasonable option.
Last edited by AJE; 03/03/19 04:24 PM.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: James Peterson]
#6479732
03/03/19 04:40 PM
03/03/19 04:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,215 Manitoba
Northof50
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,215
Manitoba
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Northof50 are you calling The Beav out? LOL!!! no not The Beav, just another Manitoba trapper that happened to him. That's why I left several spaces between the post. Mr Peterson I know you cant teach old dogs new tricks at my age.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6492024
03/15/19 10:49 PM
03/15/19 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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I have some rats on the wire stretchers right now. How long would you leave them on the wire? Until the lips are dry.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: Northof50]
#6497895
03/22/19 01:06 PM
03/22/19 01:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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OP
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Posts: 10,099
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5 days later you really have to worry about not drying fast enough especially if they were damp going on the forms. How dry do they need to be when they go on the stretcher?
Last edited by AJE; 03/22/19 01:07 PM.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6497915
03/22/19 01:37 PM
03/22/19 01:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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5 days later you really have to worry about not drying fast enough especially if they were damp going on the forms. How dry do they need to be when they go on the stretcher? The question baffles me???? The pelt goes on the stretcher immediately after fleshing. No letting it dry somewhat before boarding. If it's the fur referred to, it should be dry before skinning.
Last edited by bctomcat; 03/22/19 01:50 PM.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6507456
04/01/19 12:07 PM
04/01/19 12:07 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738 Iowa
coydog2
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
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Hang and let the fur dry and then skin ,flesh and put on the stretcher. I use wire on my rats. ,when I use to ship to NAFA ,I have got top lot use of wire. The thing I see lot that lost money that use wire is that they do not pin the nose in place and let it fall off the end of the wire. They lost some on that . I also see it on furs that show up at my fur buyer I ask him about and he told me he try to explain to them and they do not want to hear it.
Life member of DAV,NTA,NRA,ITA.Also member of FTA,CBA
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6507538
04/01/19 02:34 PM
04/01/19 02:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
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I have yet to see a commercial wire rat form that Isn't to wide In the neck and shoulder area. And that also goes for your wood commercially made boards. Is that going to cost you money? You bet It will. A 1/4" In width In that area will probably shorten that rat by a 1" or so. I have yet to see a fur buyer measure the width of a rat but they sure do measure for length. And length + fur and leather quality Is going to get you more money. Un less you add a board to the tail end of your wire form you can't get the skirt squared off. And a rat Is measured from the nose to the shortest part of the rat. So those nice scalloped looking rats skirts are costing you money. And the more you pull when you anchor the tail side and the belly side the shorter the skirt becomes. And clothes pins won't cut It.
The right skinning technique will allow you to place the rat nose over the end of the form and you won't have to pin It. But most of us are bit rough when It comes to the nose of the rat and a pin or nail Is required to hold It In place. And On wood place your belly wedge In from the nose end. Why would you shove the thinnest part of the wedge Into the part that dries the tightest. That also goes for every critter that goes on wood. In fact on some hides It won't hurt to use 2 wedges one stuck In from either end.
I'll bet the farm that a 18" top lot rat will bring you more money then a 16" top lot rat.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrat stretching
[Re: AJE]
#6507804
04/01/19 09:23 PM
04/01/19 09:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491 Adirondacks NY
Forest
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491
Adirondacks NY
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you can use an air compressor to blow the water out of fur if you need to put them up in a hurry and don't have time to let them dry
Paul Smiths Forestry ‘22
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