So how do you dyed in the wool beaver trappers/fur handlers handle your bitten up pelts..if you sew them shut what type needle thread? is their a gain by repairing them at all? had one open up that was what I thought was nearly healed ..frustrating to say the least...

I nail them shut on the board. If they aren't completely healed they could get bigger as the hide dries. Might not matter to the buyer, but that's what I do.

Yep I nail em shut just like a leg hole.

I have done both; sew and nail.I am hoping someone comes forth with good advice on sewing and equipment

With the market we are i, I don’t think it makes a lick of difference. Might make you feel better but I don’t think the added time will make you any money. Anything that isn’t shearable is hatter and the cut those into narrow strips anyways.

X2

I leave 'em and live with it. The hatter market could care less if they're sewed shut.

You can't make a beaver go from 3 to 2 with needle/thread or nails.

Speaking of hatters, just how do they deal with the fur. Do they just shear the hair from the hide or what? Webfootwhacker said they cut into strips, so what is with that? Thanks for the replies. Zookeeper.

When sewing up damage of any pelt I would use dental floss and a glovers needle.

If it is a medium sized defect and you are selling it on the raw fur market-nail it closed.
If you are tanning it sew it with good strong thread.
You will have to sew it again after tanning but it will be a much smaller defect to deal with.
A lot depends on the size,location and number of bite holes.
I use a glovers needle and upholstry thread doubled.Doubling the thread will hold farther along in the tanning process.