After trapping as a sort of hobby in high school I took a 3-4 year absence from trapping, when in high school any animal I trapped after skinning would be fletched and stretched by a family friend, now that I’m getting back into trapping I figured learning how to flesh and stretch is something that I absolutely need to learn, I recently was in the U.P and put out a handful of sets as I was only there for 2 days, I caught 2 beaver and skinned, fleshed and stretched them, I did not have my fleshing tools with me in the UP so I had to wait a day to flesh but here is my final product, I wasn’t able to get all the meat and fat off by the head and tried skinning further with a knife but it seemed pretty hardened on t here and I wasn’t getting anywhere fast. I made a few mistakes skinning and fleshing (gouging holes, etc) any tips or tricks that would help me in future is appreciated.

You already know this; the oval one is much better. One thing that helps me is observation. Little things folks showed me over time, like a fleshing knife(really a "draw" Knife) being somewhat dull except on the last couple of inches, and to push at an angle. The sharp end starts a cut and the dull does most of the work. Knowing where the thick hide is, and where the thin part is. Youtube is amazing; we had a kid show up with some beaver he's put up and my FIL asked who he's learned from, as it was very good. "No one, this is my first ones; I learned from Youtube." Lastly, ask local trappers. Drive to their place to watch if need be. At rendezvous there's usually demos. Lower the pride, like you've done here, and get in there. The good guys, who want trapping to continue for future generations will help you out. Sometime you have to pry info out of them (I still have to at 53!) but they will help, especially if you bribe them with cold frosty malt beverages and laugh at their jokes! There are folks here that are amazing in general, and beaver especially. They will help you out! I'm jealous; here in WA State we can only use live traps, and trapping is being pushed out. Soak it up!

Using a small pelt (stirrup) fleshing tool is very effective in finish and touchup when the beaver pelt is partly tacked up.

Use afew more nails on your edges, nail your holes shut, and keep after it! You'll get better. Get a beaver board pattern.

Yup

Do what YJ said and get some more practice.
Get another trapper who puts up fur to watch wile you skin flesh and stretch and he can let you know where you are making mistakes as you go.This will help you immensely also on how to properly use and maintain the tools.

Another 4-500 and you’ll be getting the hang of it. Each one try and improve over the last one.

Since I clean skin the only tool I need after the skinning is a simple pull-type paint scraper to clean up the pelt a little. I keep a roll of paper towels handy as well.

I second the notion of learning with an experienced hand to help you out. I have offered to help local guys out that way and occasionally someone takes me up on it.

Here is how I do it.I just put this one up a half hour ago so was able to take some pics.

I nail out a rough clean skinned beaver with a few nails and put outside to freeze overnight.I cut off the ears and trim extra skin around the legholes before I put it out.
In the morning I frost scrape it,it takes less than 5 minutes.


Then I bring it in and let it thaw out for half an hour.
When its thawed I proceed as normal
I trim the nose,lips and whiskers off the top.
And trim the cloaca and tail tags off the bottom.



Then I just start nailing at one side and proceed all the way around the pelt,keeping the nails about an inch apart.


When the nailing is complete,I use the paint scraper or a frost scraper to clean up any fat around the leg holes,then use a nail or two to close up the legholes.
The trimming and nailing takes no more than 10 minutes.

Now you have a nice clean beaver that will dry in 24 hours at room temp,or 48 hours in a cold room.

Hi,
I having difficulty fleshing and I’m making holes on the edge of the hide. Seems like the belly skin is thinner than the rest of the hide

i see they you use a stirrup scraper. Is that the only tool that you use to flesh your beaver pelts? How sharp do you keep it? Is it razor sharp on one side and duller on the other?

thanks.

Steve What kind of fleshing knife are you using?