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Gambrels, What do you use? #7353304 09/11/21 05:18 PM 09/11/21 05:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	I used to build skinning machines and gambrels. I built a lot of them like this. They swivel in the middle in case you wanna double the line on your hoist so it doesn't twist the cables together..... They worked pretty well since I rarely ever cut or damage the tendons they hang by... In my quest for always trying to make things better, I tried the RTS Speed Gambrels like these... I do alright with them as well.... Just curious if any of you use these styles or if you have some that work as well or better?

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7353831 09/12/21 11:55 AM 09/12/21 11:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin T The Beav trapper
The Beav trapper T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin	I use two cable slip nooses. No chance of a tendon breaking In the skinning process. Cheap to make and you can make 4 or 5 sets and have several coon all hooked up ready to be hung. Last edited by The Beav; 09/12/21 11:55 AM. The forum Know It All according to Muskrat

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: The Beav] #7353967 09/12/21 03:08 PM 09/12/21 03:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	Originally Posted by The Beav I use two cable slip nooses. No chance of a tendon breaking In the skinning process. Cheap to make and you can make 4 or 5 sets and have several coon all hooked up ready to be hung. I do keep a couple of those just for those rare occasions where the tendon gets damaged, either by me, the trap, or prior injury. They do come in handy. I use one around the middle of the biggest coyotes to finish the pull if the hoist runs out of height as well. I've hung beavers by the tail with one too on the skinner, since I cut off the feet before skinning them, so I can finish the cuts on the head up at eye level, and to gut them to save for predator bait or pet food.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7353998 09/12/21 03:37 PM 09/12/21 03:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 6,599 NC, Orange Co. QuietButDeadly trapper
QuietButDeadly trapper Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 6,599 NC, Orange Co.	I use the one shown in the OP that came with my ADC base for most of my skinning on my skinning machine. I do use the following on occasion for small stuff mostly. And for manual skinning, I use the Winkler chain ring outfit. Life Member: NCTA, VTA, NTA, TTFHA, MFTI Member: FTA NRA NWTF

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7354007 09/12/21 03:50 PM 09/12/21 03:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	I've seen those QBD, looks like the ticket for skinning rabbits since my boy is a rabbit slayer. lol

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7354030 09/12/21 04:17 PM 09/12/21 04:17 PM
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 6,599 NC, Orange Co. QuietButDeadly trapper
QuietButDeadly trapper Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 6,599 NC, Orange Co.	They work pretty good. I use them on my winch even if I am pulling by hand because I can keep everything at a comfortable height. Shucked several skunks today that had been in a freezer. Worked like a charm. Life Member: NCTA, VTA, NTA, TTFHA, MFTI Member: FTA NRA NWTF

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7357064 09/16/21 01:26 PM 09/16/21 01:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 382 Northern Illinois MuddyMike trapper
MuddyMike trapper Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 382 Northern Illinois	i just use a choke chain but its a pain in the rear especially when its at a fixed height trying to one hand a 25# coon while your other hand slips the chain around the leg you aint holding. ill be trying the cable like what beav uses this year. i also bought a winch to build a skinning machine that needs to get built.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7360358 09/20/21 07:46 PM 09/20/21 07:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 109 KANSAS R redhillstrapper trapper
redhillstrapper trapper R Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 109 KANSAS	I use a piece of OB chain on a larger deer sized gambrel with my skinning machine. The elongated link makes for easy hookup and I've never had one slip or break.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7362276 09/23/21 06:01 AM 09/23/21 06:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2020 Posts: 7,368 W NY Turtledale trapper
Turtledale trapper Joined: Mar 2020 Posts: 7,368 W NY	I use a gambrel with two choke chains brought up and down with a boat winch. NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7362739 09/23/21 05:23 PM 09/23/21 05:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	I was always afraid them choke chains would break there's A LOT of pull in my hoist. Glad to hear they work for some of you. I think the fastest way is the RTS gambrel, though its not a lot faster than hooking through the tendons. The cable loops and choke chains would be quite a bit slower but they have their advantages as well. What do all think would be best for a beginner, just starting out?

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7363583 09/24/21 09:18 PM 09/24/21 09:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 109 KANSAS R redhillstrapper trapper
redhillstrapper trapper R Joined: Feb 2017 Posts: 109 KANSAS	Use OB chains from a farm supply spread with a bar and with a single large ring in the top center. They can hook the chains up, then lower their hoist down to it to pick up the critter only having to hook up a single ring. I regularly pull 10-12hr and even day old coyotes that have been hanging in freezing temperatures with my winch and the OB chains. You will pull one in half before you break on of those chains.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7365195 09/26/21 09:59 PM 09/26/21 09:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin T The Beav trapper
The Beav trapper T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin	it depends on if your opening your coon before you hang them. If your opening your coon first then hooking through the tendons might be faster. But if your hanging first then the cable loops would be faster. I make up 10 or so sets then I put them on after I open my coon. I will normally open 10 coon or so before I start hanging them. The forum Know It All according to Muskrat

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: The Beav] #7365786 09/27/21 04:50 PM 09/27/21 04:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 291 Kansas C cutmjack trapper
cutmjack trapper C Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 291 Kansas	ADC, Can't imagine it gets much simpler, for anyone really, than the RTS gambrel. Only downside to it is it doesn't hold a small coon quite as well as the bigger ones and a real small one tends to slip out. Other options mentioned would work well for those. I open a pile of them and then just hang them up. Biggest thing to remember to make it easy is to have the gambrel at about chest high so you don't have to lift above your head as it's harder to get both feet in. Just curious, why did you stop selling your skinning machines and such? I bought one from you years ago and LOVE IT! You can PM if you wish. Always appreciated the purchase and your wisdom on various things trapping!

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7365983 09/27/21 09:50 PM 09/27/21 09:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	I just got tired of it I guess. I thought I had built enough of them after 12 years or so. lol

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7366173 09/28/21 07:48 AM 09/28/21 07:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,423 Pennsylvania H Hern trapper
Hern trapper H Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,423 Pennsylvania	I've tried several over the years, homemade and bought from dealers. Still like choker chain the best. I have several and pre-attach before hanging... *ADC, never had a problem with choker chain & skun'n machine.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7368395 09/30/21 09:50 PM 09/30/21 09:50 PM
Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 2,162 N.E. Nebr L LDW trapper
LDW trapper L Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 2,162 N.E. Nebr	I like the RTS gambrel the best. Seems like I've tried just about everything. The RTS will gain you quite a bit of reach, so if your out of pull with your skinning machine this is perfect.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: LDW] #7368998 10/01/21 02:35 PM 10/01/21 02:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	Originally Posted by LDW I like the RTS gambrel the best. Seems like I've tried just about everything. The RTS will gain you quite a bit of reach, so if your out of pull with your skinning machine this is perfect. Good point, choke chains and cable loops would require a little more height from your skinner for those that are limited on height, something to think about.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7369080 10/01/21 04:21 PM 10/01/21 04:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin T The Beav trapper
The Beav trapper T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin	My cable loops are about 3" long when tightened up on the coons paws. You can't get much shorter the that. The forum Know It All according to Muskrat

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7369477 10/02/21 08:56 AM 10/02/21 08:56 AM
Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,853 Frazee, MN B backroadsarcher trapper
backroadsarcher trapper B Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,853 Frazee, MN	I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: backroadsarcher] #7370652 10/03/21 08:54 PM 10/03/21 08:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	Originally Posted by backroadsarcher I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either. You'll wonder why you didn't have a machine long ago once you get one. lol The chains would be good for hand skinning too, and would be cable loops so long as they are stout so they didn't break on ya. I see guys putting their knees on the pelt and pushing/bouncing with all their weight, that wouldn't be a good time for your hanging system to fail.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7374595 10/08/21 06:03 PM 10/08/21 06:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,853 Frazee, MN B backroadsarcher trapper
backroadsarcher trapper B Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 4,853 Frazee, MN	Originally Posted by ~ADC~ Originally Posted by backroadsarcher I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either. You'll wonder why you didn't have a machine long ago once you get one. lol The chains would be good for hand skinning too, and would be cable loops so long as they are stout so they didn't break on ya. I see guys putting their knees on the pelt and pushing/bouncing with all their weight, that wouldn't be a good time for your hanging system to fail. Yep I ask myself why I don't invest in a machine every year when I start skinning coyotes.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7374830 10/08/21 10:31 PM 10/08/21 10:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,137 mo. N nate trapper
nate trapper N Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,137 mo.	Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7374904 10/08/21 11:47 PM 10/08/21 11:47 PM
Joined: Nov 2019 Posts: 481 Nebraska BraskaYoter trapper
BraskaYoter trapper Joined: Nov 2019 Posts: 481 Nebraska	I made mine out of a spring tooth chisel shank, cut out tapered V’s on each side and welded a loop in middle with the curve of the shank towards the roof. Works great with my skinning machine setup, easy on and off with critters, always room for improvement though. I previously used cable loops on a spreader bar, worked great, couldn’t find it after move last year when I needed it, made new one out of necessity quickly. Failure leads to learning, learning leads to improvement.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: nate] #7377220 10/11/21 10:55 PM 10/11/21 10:55 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	Originally Posted by nate Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times. Start squeezing them vice grips shut and stop pushing down on them to lock them on the hide. lol Glad it's still working for ya. The cost of steel these days wouldn't make them very profitable at the cost you likely paid years back.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7380065 10/15/21 11:08 PM 10/15/21 11:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 17,660 Rodney,Ohio SNIPERBBB trapper
SNIPERBBB trapper Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 17,660 Rodney,Ohio	I really dont think you can get much simpler and easier to use starting out is the Shefter Shackle that QBD posted. The RTS is obvious the best for skinning machines. One trick I figured out when I bought my skinning machine was that with the RTS and the Shackle was that if you're having issues with feet slipping out of the gambrel,,,sever the achilles and rehang, http://www.sniperstrappingplace.com/tmansearch.php

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7383239 10/19/21 10:25 PM 10/19/21 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 4,949 Aliceville, Kansas 43 Yukon John trapper
Yukon John trapper Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 4,949 Aliceville, Kansas 43	Hand Skinner here...I use paracord about a foot long, with a loop in the middle, and slip-loops on the ends. I know, I know, but I'm a "use what you got" type a guy! Act like a blank, get treated like a blank. Insert your own blank!

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7383324 10/19/21 11:57 PM 10/19/21 11:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,137 mo. N nate trapper
nate trapper N Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,137 mo.	Originally Posted by ~ADC~ Originally Posted by nate Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times. Start squeezing them vice grips shut and stop pushing down on them to lock them on the hide. lol Glad it's still working for ya. The cost of steel these days wouldn't make them very profitable at the cost you likely paid years back. ADC Love the set up, the t plate is where it connects to the floor, not the VG it's from pulling them tuff ole coyote and the late winter battle scared boar coons.lol, it was money very well spent. Last edited by nate; 10/19/21 11:59 PM.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7383497 10/20/21 08:42 AM 10/20/21 08:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin T The Beav trapper
The Beav trapper T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin	The problem I see Is hooking up both hind legs at the same time. I like to hang by one leg when I open my coyotes. That way you have better knife access when making that cut from ankle to ankle. Most of the hanging devices I see posted close up the area so It would be tough to make your opening cuts. So It seems to me your going to have to make your opening cuts on the bench then hang. I do that when opening coon but not with coyotes or fox or cats. And It seems to me if your using a RTS device that if you hung by one leg the device would tip and the critter would slip out. I'm sticking to cable slip nooses. While ADCs skinning machine Is a great device You lose about 18" of skinning height when you hook up the hide with the vice grips. I have a plate welded right at the bottom of my puller ) pre ADCs rig) with a hook attached where I can hook up my cable slip nooses. There's a bit more bending over but It gains you a lot of height when your pulling coyotes. The forum Know It All according to Muskrat

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: The Beav] #7384179 10/20/21 10:05 PM 10/20/21 10:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa ~ADC~ OP The Count
~ADC~ OP The Count Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 16,382 Iowa	Originally Posted by The Beav The problem I see Is hooking up both hind legs at the same time. I like to hang by one leg when I open my coyotes. That way you have better knife access when making that cut from ankle to ankle. Most of the hanging devices I see posted close up the area so It would be tough to make your opening cuts. So It seems to me your going to have to make your opening cuts on the bench then hang. I do that when opening coon but not with coyotes or fox or cats. And It seems to me if your using a RTS device that if you hung by one leg the device would tip and the critter would slip out. I'm sticking to cable slip nooses. While ADCs skinning machine Is a great device You lose about 18" of skinning height when you hook up the hide with the vice grips. I have a plate welded right at the bottom of my puller ) pre ADCs rig) with a hook attached where I can hook up my cable slip nooses. There's a bit more bending over but It gains you a lot of height when your pulling coyotes. I use a pair of bench mounted vice grips to hold coyotes by one leg to open them up waist high. Everything else I open on the bench like in the video. How high off the ground is that plate you lock the hide in beav? I always made my hide gate type skinners about 30" high. If you really want to save height a hide roller type skinner is the way to go IMO.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7384251 10/21/21 12:06 AM 10/21/21 12:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin T The Beav trapper
The Beav trapper T Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin	My hook up on my puller Is about 8" off the floor. And the height of my puller Is 10' high. I can skin any sized coyote with out running out of height. I have a roller type puller In the works. I have the winch mounted to the base of my puller. And I have a shaft attached to the winch shaft. The other end of the shaft Is set In a bearing. I have a piece of seat belt materiel fastened to the shaft. On the end of the seat belt I have two cable slip nooses. Hook up the nooses to the hide hit the control and pull off the hide as It rolls up on the shaft. The rig Is only 7' high. The forum Know It All according to Muskrat

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7384332 10/21/21 07:19 AM 10/21/21 07:19 AM
Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,896 NNY 0 080808 trapper
080808 trapper 0 Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,896 NNY	Beav. Can you post pics?

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7414789 11/25/21 09:16 PM 11/25/21 09:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 2,162 N.E. Nebr L LDW trapper
LDW trapper L Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 2,162 N.E. Nebr	I have a rolling table with a vice grip mounted on it. I stick the coyote or coon tail in it with the belly facing me. I use this to open them up. When done opening, I lower the RTS gambrel down and slip the legs in while hanging by the tail. Hit the winch up and release the vice grip and your ready to finish. Much easier than trying to pick up and get legs in notches by hand. Works good for me.

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? [Re: ~ADC~] #7416399 11/28/21 12:10 AM 11/28/21 12:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 401 walla walla ,washington B bob maier trapper
bob maier trapper B Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 401 walla walla ,washington	I tried the rst gambrel but when pulling on one leg they would slip out. I now have a piece of rebar as a spreader w cable loops. I can get a better starting cut and they never slip out.

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