Anyone use hog castration bands to close the front leg holes when stretching beaver? Does it work good?

Works great.

Do use the actual castration pliers or would it work to just use a regular snap ring pliers?

I just nail them(boards) its pretty quick.Doesnt look as nice though.

That’s what I do too, Boco. I put up a three legged one that was totally healed front leg. The seamless “leg hole” looked really nice once dried. I’m going to try the bands to try to replicate it.

I use small zip ties, I've also used bread ties,but I like the zip ties better.

I use the pliers made for the bands. Split rings pliers might work but they would tend to fly off I would think. I double up the bands.

When using bands doesn't that leave you with a rough standing piece of fur when It dries?

Depends on when you cut it. If you cut the leg holes while they are slightly plyable you can flatten it down. Cut lage and you'll have a peg.

I cut the legs off short after i put zip tie on, make sure it’s tight,hard to do after you cut them

You can sew them too.
3 or 4 in and outs with a glovers needle and tie,its pretty fast and looks nice.

I have most often sewn my leg holes. I find it just as fast as other methods and in my opinion provides a much nicer overall appearance than the other methods.

I bet you don't get any more money for sewed up leg holes. Nails are just as nice and It takes a lot less time.

But they do look pretty sewed up.

Actually with a sharp glovers needle it is about the same to sew or nail,but you dont have to pull the nails after when you take the hide off the board so sewing might gain you a bit.Also you dont have to fiddle with the stick if you lift your hide up on the nails.
I normally nail,cause I got the nails right there anyway,and I dont usually raise the beavers on the nails since I make sure the fur is dry and I dry the skins at a low temp,so the leather remains flexible and no chance of ripping out at the nails which happens occasionally on thin skinned beaver dryed with heat that are not raised on the nails.You could likely leave the leg holes open and not lose any money in todays fur market.
I like to sew the otter leg holes.

Boco,do a pic on how you sew. Thanks

Thank you! Is that dental floss for the thread?

Upholstry thread.

You may be good Boco but no way can you sew up 4 leg holes faster then you can nail them shut.

The way I nail them its a wash with sewing.