1st attempt...I don't know how you guys do many of these in a day! I'm good for just 1! Fleshing the tail was a real B! I couldn't figure out how to mount it on my beam so it would stay put!

Looks great! Yeah, those tails suck even after you do more then a couple

Great job!

Perfect.

Nice job John, make yourself a little block for the end of your beam and you can hold the hide anywhere you want.

Your otter looks great! That tail is super tough
Just did my first one. They are tough.

Excellent job. To facilitate ease in fleshing the tail, with a sharp knife or scapel slit and cross hatch the beads of fat being careful not to cut the leather.

Good job on fleshing and boarding.

I will definitely take that into account! I did another one today, it was much easier (as a whole), it had been in the freezer. As far as the tail went it was still a pain, but I clamped it on the beam made a pretty big difference. Thanks all!

Yeah I've seen those on here, I'm gonna make one.

Very nice job on the otter,good shape and nice and clean.

Thanks! I've since found out that I need to pull the back legs around to the back, and cut a shorter window. Guess I'll do that on my 3rd one, cuz I've done 2 this way.

Your Ok by leaving the legs on the belly side.

The way you have it is perfect,the legs are skirted properly,straight across from the base of the tail with no pleating.You could make the window a bit shorter and more rounded.
Pinning or sewing the front legholes is an option but fine the way you have them.

Looks good. You will get better with each one you do. I know I don't cuss near as much as I did with the 1st couple.

I actually tied the front legs and after 2 (I think) days cut them off, they're not closed, but have a very minimal hole. Thanks for the input, I couldn't do what I do without you guys!

Lol backroadsarcher, couldn't have said it better myself!

Dang it! I tried to bunch up the fur on the tail, and the honches and now the leather is wrinkled. My plan is to have it tanned, will this be an issue? Or, could it go ahead and shrink according to plan on its own?

That will not affect the pelt if it’s going to be tanned.

That's what I was hoping, thanks. Just trying some different things to get a better feel for this stuff.

We are skinning and putting up 50 or so otter tomorrow I'll try and get some pictures.