For various reasons I didn't get to my tanning from last year. Didn't really have a lot, but enough. I tanned 27 muskrats and 1 female mink. I just finished them about noon, today.

I still have several coon to do and hope to get on them soon.

BUT... tomorrow is opening day of this season. I will be setting for rats and maybe a couple of mink sets. I try and give the coon another week or two to prime up. If anyone in Ohio gets any coon in the next few days get any coon and they are good and clear let me know, don't want to mess with any dark skin hides.

To all those other Ohio trappers... good luck this season. That goes for all you other trappers too.

Garry-

My string of tanned rats and 1 mink.

Look great Garry, nice fur there. Hope your season is a good'un!

And what are you going to do with the rats?

I have gotten 36 back from Mink and Moyle.

Question as to what project for them?

I block them open and cut them hexagonal,then sew into baby blankets,backed with flannell.
12 skins per baby blanket.

Always use skins of the same size in each blanket,when cutting hexagonal,to keep the character of the skins the same and cut down on wastage.

Muskrat makes a great hat,light weight,durable and warm.
From 3 to 7 skins depending on the style.

I like that...got a pic? I wish there was a better "project" forum on this site. I think it would really add to the use of some of our seemingly worthless fur.

No pic,sorry.

I might have one here,if so I will take a pic.

Nice job on the rats Garry.

Rats look great, keep up the good work

Good job Garry

... good looking fur Gary

Thank You everyone....

Seniortrap... I am hoping to make hats and maybe other things. I have got a hat pattern that is supposed to the original muskrat hat the mountain men, trappers, and Mounted Police in Canada wore. It has the peak at the top not flat top. The bill, the earmuff w/wrap around is fur on both sides. There is also a lining inside.

I have one cutout and partly sewn together... but my big problem is putting all of the pieces together. I don't have directions on how to do that. So, I guess I will try different ways until I can figure it out. I have always said... "if I read how to do something, I can do it". Since I don't have directions, I have to guess or use my imagination.

I am sewing it all by hand, don't know how to run a sewing machine. I have found age has stiffened my hands and they don't want to work like they should. BUT... I am going to get it done right or wrong.

If anyone knows how to put one of these together let me know. Below is a photo the Body of the hat and the bill lying on the stand in front of it.

Garry-

Found one of the ones I made for my kids back in 94.It was used a lot indoors and outdoors,by my kids then grandkids.
Still as good as new-no wear (muskrat is very durable).
It is backed with flannell.

Very nice Robert... My only question would be... how do you clean it if it gets soiled? What are the dimensions of your blanket? All hand sewn?

Good job!

Garry-

Dry clean,(or wash if chrome tanned).
Yes hand sewn 24 x 30.
Size varies,depending on the size of the rats.

Make sure rats are the same size and matched close in primeness for each blanket and things will go a lot better.