"I skinned and fleshed a dozen in the last 2 weeks…2 13 pounders 32 inches on the board" Steve I have never gotten one that big, not even close. they must be a farm critter not a woods one. And i have not gotten close to getting one fleshed right and have not tried in many years.......jk

Maybe I will , If I ever catch one

I just skinned a large one (didn't weigh him) but he had a ping pong size set and a short piece of garden hose for his manhood. I'm trying to get each WI furbearer tanned for the cottage and he was on the list. I skinned and froze him and plan to flesh when pliable, but when the fat is tallowed up.

I used to really hate skinning them stinking things But I found a new method It is a secret so I can't go into detail .But the key part is not to put them in your truck .Once you get that part right it really speeds up the process .And you quickly begin to ask yourself why it was so hard to learn this method .

I don't recall what year it was some time in 90s?? I decided to keep and skin all larger ones I caught put them up. I scrapped and stretched them shipped them to NAFA. I don't recall how many I sent think was around 30 some. Don't recall the high or the low but I do remember a $3.17 average. That was when I decided they were gas money at least. Back in late 70s early 80s I sold them just green skinned. Had one batch sold at fur sale for .98 average. Just laughed about it.
I will skin them if I can get a buck. Won't skin and scrap them for $1.
But think about it guys. I know rats are easier to put up. But how many have sold rats back in day for around a $1.
When I was running my land line I consider them bigger grinners gas money.
One year I even saved all the bigger skulls and sold them.
To bad someone couldn't find a use for the green goo.

Mac

My youngest son wanted to earn money skinning fur for me so I had him start on possum for a dollar each. He never did progress beyond that but he's a doctor now so the possum skinning must have steered him in the right direction, lol.

Ditch filler