And butchered it. I've done coon, opossum, bobcat, fox, coyote, and more but that was the hardest I've done by far. Was using a 8in beam and a necker #600 and had frozen then thawed it out before fleshing. Was going good only knocked one hole in the back then got to the legs and started knocking holes left and right. Hope I get better at this have 5 more in the freezer gonna do one a night after work see if I can get this down.

Like most things in life, you’ll get better with experience. I cut holes in the first few I did. Small beavers are really easy...the big ones are like a totally different critter. They don’t want to give up the gristle without a fight. Make sure your fleshing tool is sharp, and let it do the work. You’ll get a feel for the angle, pressure and stroke length. Use the push side of the tool to get the easy fat from the belly. Practice makes perfect.

Start with the point of your beam In the center of the hide. Then just keep turning It as you flesh off all the easy stuff with the dull edge. When you do It this way you have the weight evenly distributed and you don't have to chase the hide around on the beam. When you come to the front leg hole It will be laying flat on the beam and you can just flesh right over It. When your done you will have narrow strip right down the middle. With the nose hooked over the end of the beam you can use the sharp edge to remove that area. And again you will have the weight evenly distributed so the hide will stay In place.
It just takes practice but the right technique will shorten the learning curve.

I just use wire hoops I have no art type talent at all zero I mean none, the hoops and clips make it easy never had a complaint made top of sale with a few even.

The words of wisdom that I received from this site I will now pass on to you ------------ " It gets easier after the first hundred" --- by the way they are right.

And no need to get them as clean as a coon. It'll dry.

Like anything it gets easier and you find your own method.

I remember doing my first one....looked like Swiss cheese, when I was done.
You'll get better..practice makes better.
I looked in to clean skinning, and haven't looked back. My first clean skin took 2 hours.
You get better with time. Lots of good videos on YouTube.
If you are skinning you are winning.

This is the fastest and best way imo. Some good advice right here^^^

I've caught and put up 1000's of beaver but don't have a clue how to flesh one on a beam. Never done one.

After 99 more you will be good to go

As you flesh more beaver, you will learn where to use the sharp side of your Necker and where to use the dull edge on the hide.

Lots of solid advice above. My first time fleshing a beaver was similar to your experience. Now they are probably my favorite animal to flesh. Don't be afraid to try the dull side of your knife and yes those legs are what I struggled with too.
I put the leg over the end of my beam and rotate it like dirtydog. However, I have never tried it like The Beav does it, now I'm interested in giving that a try as well.

Clean skinning avoids most fleshing. Utube probably has tutorials.

Learning to clean skin and do a good job of It Is going to take a lot longer then learning to flesh on a beam.
You can watch all the U tube stuff and still not get It right. It takes getting dirty and hours of practice and 100s of hides before It all comes together. And for the average beaver trapper that may catch 10 or 12 a season clean skinning Isn't going to get It done.
And If you can't sharpen a knife your screwed. LOL

Clean skinning isn't fleshing? lol

My first beaver I frost scraped and it turned out really good.

Here's another piece of good advise, get a knife from Lee if he comes to Twin Bridges. It will make life easier.

It's not the knife so much as the guy pushing It.

I have put up a couple thousand beaver in my life, and have tried every method I ever heard of. I always went back to the sharp fleshing knife down the middle to start, and then dull side around the pelt. Just like dirtydogtrapping described. I like the beam because it supports my back. Every other method has me bending over way to much. Don't worry as someone said, you'll be doing ok after a hundred or so.

Appreciate all the advice sounds like I better catch more beaver. From the comments I can tell I definitely need to use the dull side more. I'm about to start my second beaver now and going to set a small one out to thaw for tomorrow.