How did I do on my first otter put up ? I’m going to have it tanned. I used a coyote stretcher because the fox stretcher was too short. I plan on getting otter boards for next season.

Looks good.
Instead of all those push pins on the tail I just use a piece of 1/4" hardware cloth. Sure saves on time and push pins. And since your using an adjustable board you shouldn't need a belly wedge. But when you do get some otter boards get some belly wedges and shove It In from the mouth end.

Good job, Kevin!

Thanks. Yea I did over do it on the pins.

Did it singe on you? I have one to do, but am scared to death that I'll mess it up! BTW musta been a huge otter to take a whole yote board! I think the one I have is probably similar in size.

Don't worry about singe. It's either singed or Its not.

I thought it was a smaller one until I put it on a fox stretcher. This is the first one I’ve caught. I don’t think it is singed.

It looks good being you are going to keep it. If you were going to market you might need to cut a inspection window in it. I am going to have one tanned from this year also, no window needed.

My understanding is that one can singe the fur with improper fleshing, but I'm severely ignorant!

They will tell you to keep the fur damp before placing It on the beam. But I've fleshed 1000s of otter and I just don't see It as a problem.

Not so much fleshing but conditions in your furshed.Dry heat and strong sunlight will singe a dead otter;s guardhair.
Some otters are singed in the wild especially in late winter/spring when the strong sun singes them.
otter guardhairs are prone to singe because of their oval cross section.

I laid a damp towel on my fleshing board before I fleshed it. A big marine from MT told me to do that. I figured what am I out if I mess it up. You learn from your mistakes.

It must have been a bit tough fleshing an otter when you have a wet towel between the hide and the beam. Sounds like a good way to put some holes In that hide.

The towel is to keep the fur damp. Worked out well