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Best place to learn proper fur handling #7106408
12/26/20 11:47 AM
12/26/20 11:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline OP
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
I love to trap and have no problems skinning( could get faster) but fleshing and getting first class finished hides I have little experience with. Top it off each species is done differently. I have been shown and experimented a little but really want to be able to take pride and have the best finished product I can.

My scedual and distance makes it tough to get with the one guy (2hr drive) that is willing to help me learn. Yes I need to get my hands greasy and get to it and it's the only way to learn and get better and faster. My issue is being sure I have them clean enough with out taking them down to far

I have a freeze that needs empty of rolled up hides. Mostly coon, coyote, beaver, with a mink, outer, and red fox thrown in. Maybe I need to take a week or few days and get some fur handling instruction classes some guys offer. The best would be find someone with a passion for putting up fur that's close enought I could learn from.

It's part of the process I really need to work on. At this point I would be happy to even find someone I can pay to put it up just to empty out my freezer so I have a place to put critters I catch. When I'm away at work the boys 8 and 10 check the traps, then freeze the catch and I skin them when I get home from work.

I'm not sure what all I have it's not much. 15- 20 coons 5 or 6 coyotes, 7 beaver, a red fox. You get the idea. I dont trap anything but my 96 acer farm and a friends 100 a few weeks. It removes problem animals, alows my boys and I to get to trap and keeps it so they can check the line while I'm gone at work.

Once I learn and get good at putting up fur I will probably expand to run some 3 day checks and pull while I'm home but catching more when I'm not doing anything with what I have makes little sense.

Anyone have any recomendations on classes not to far from southern Indiana / Louisville area if I can't find a mentor fairly local? I not only want to be good from start to finish but be able to teach my boys as well as they get big enough. Thanks.


Last edited by Providence Farm; 12/26/20 11:50 AM.
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106415
12/26/20 11:50 AM
12/26/20 11:50 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Exprience,trial and error.Also could join your local trappers organization and meet and talk to other trappers.


Nevada bound
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106426
12/26/20 12:02 PM
12/26/20 12:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,468
Iowa
T
trapdog1 Offline
trapper
trapdog1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,468
Iowa
There are videos out there that show fur handling in detail. This may be your best bet if you can't find someone local to help. Then it's just a matter of doing it and learning as you go. You'll make mistakes, and learn from them. It will take awhile, but you'll figure it out and the frustration will turn into satisfaction. Good luck!

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106431
12/26/20 12:09 PM
12/26/20 12:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739
Beatrice, NE
L
loosegoose Offline
trapper
loosegoose  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739
Beatrice, NE
I butchered several before I got the hang of it. For me the biggest issue was learning how to use the fleshing knife to get down to bare skin without cutting through. People can tell you or show you all about proper knife angle and pressure and such, but for me,it came down to just doing it and getting a feel for how hard to push it how much to slice. I just had to be willing to toss out a bunch of sliced up hides before I got it.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106439
12/26/20 12:18 PM
12/26/20 12:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832
MT (Big Sky Country)
A
Allan Minear Offline
trapper
Allan Minear  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832
MT (Big Sky Country)
Join your state trappers association for instance the Montana Trappers Association has fur handling clinics across the state it's a valuable resource that many folks take advantage of.
Allan


Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106442
12/26/20 12:19 PM
12/26/20 12:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,954
RI / MN
C
Cameron Kelsey Offline
trapper
Cameron Kelsey  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,954
RI / MN
As was mentioned, videos can be a big help. Also, you may want to reach out to Charlie Masheck at Hoosier Trapper Supply. He has a very good fur handling DVD on the market, and I bet he could be of assistance.


CWO4, SC, US Navy
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106443
12/26/20 12:20 PM
12/26/20 12:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 838
North dakota
N
Nd native Offline
trapper
Nd native  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 838
North dakota
There is no substitute for just doing it. You can buy a couple fur handling videos, watch them, and then get to it. Every year it seems to take me a bit to relearn just how hard I can push things and then after one or two I'm back to fleshing things out with a steady rhythm. You just absolutely have to get your hands dirty and just learn.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Cameron Kelsey] #7106462
12/26/20 12:34 PM
12/26/20 12:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline OP
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
Originally Posted by Cameron Kelsey
As was mentioned, videos can be a big help. Also, you may want to reach out to Charlie Masheck at Hoosier Trapper Supply. He has a very good fur handling DVD on the market, and I bet he could be of assistance.


I think they are up by indy. I have been planning to get up to there shop sometime just haven't been able to dedicate to the trip.


I work in one state trapping organization district and live in another. I joined the one I work in last winter at their fund raising fur sale. I planed to join the one I live in as well but never got around to it. Never got anything from the one I joined other than the card saying I did.

Its rough being gone for work 3-5 days at a time then trying to keep up with the family and get the farm off the ground when I'm off. I really have limited time esp during hunting, trapping, maple trapping, gardening, ect.. season.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106466
12/26/20 12:39 PM
12/26/20 12:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,213
W NY
Turtledale Online content
trapper
Turtledale  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,213
W NY
Google coon creek outdoors. He has videos for everything. Then go at it yourself. Experience is your best teacher. Good luck


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106471
12/26/20 12:44 PM
12/26/20 12:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 215
Central Indiana
D
D Cobb Offline
trapper
D Cobb  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 215
Central Indiana
Where are you located in Indiana? I'd be happy to show you what I know.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106472
12/26/20 12:47 PM
12/26/20 12:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,057
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,057
Ky
Practice on worthless coons and possums

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Turtledale] #7106497
12/26/20 01:11 PM
12/26/20 01:11 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 100
North Dakota
W
WakopaWalker Offline
trapper
WakopaWalker  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 100
North Dakota
Originally Posted by Turtledale
Google coon creek outdoors. He has videos for everything. Then go at it yourself. Experience is your best teacher. Good luck

X2. His videos are very good about the details of what you do for each species.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106505
12/26/20 01:18 PM
12/26/20 01:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
Here's a couple of excellent videos to provide you guidance. Then only practice will make you better.
https://youtu.be/7Bv9dAMAubc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTP-XZtxRSY

Last edited by bctomcat; 12/26/20 01:21 PM.

The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106510
12/26/20 01:23 PM
12/26/20 01:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,110
Three Lakes,WI 72
C
corky Offline
trapper
corky  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,110
Three Lakes,WI 72

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106531
12/26/20 01:48 PM
12/26/20 01:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,817
central arkansas
T
the Blak Spot Offline
trapper
the Blak Spot  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,817
central arkansas
Does the wisconsin trap assoc still put out that video from NAFA on fur handling?


the just shall live by faith

member FTA, ATA, EAFT
1776 - the year we told a tyrant we weren't to be under a dictator
Caveat ater macula
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106540
12/26/20 01:59 PM
12/26/20 01:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
B
Bob Offline
trapper
Bob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
I learned everything I know about put up right here lol. The archives is full of great info. I always get compliments on my handling from buyers


"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106545
12/26/20 02:13 PM
12/26/20 02:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,914
Nevada
YamaCat Offline
trapper
YamaCat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,914
Nevada
If you can swing it, spend some time in different fur sheds. Especially the ones that excel in their fur handling skills.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106569
12/26/20 03:02 PM
12/26/20 03:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,105
Piney va. soon be 19
cotton Offline
trapper
cotton  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,105
Piney va. soon be 19
One of the bright sides of cheap fur prices is now is the time learn put ups.
Doing the is the best way to learn, videos can help but fleshing done alot by feel.


John 3/16

ifin your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough
VTA life member

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106666
12/26/20 05:02 PM
12/26/20 05:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
T
traprjohn Offline
trapper
traprjohn  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
From your local mentors too.


www.sevenoakstrappingsupplies.com for trap mods and gear
The 10 Commandments are not suggestions.
Buy a soldiers meal EVERY chance you can.

Re: Best place to learn proper fur handling [Re: Providence Farm] #7106781
12/26/20 06:58 PM
12/26/20 06:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 499
Bryant, IN
D
Dennis W Offline
trapper
Dennis W  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 499
Bryant, IN
Join the ISTA. They have a program where mentors will help people with their fur handling. They have a facebook page.

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