I use to trap back in middle & high school for nuisance control for local farmers. Im starting back trapping but im going for fur & iv never really handled fur. I need help on figuring out the supplies i need to prosses fur, like do I need multiple fleshing beams, how many stretcher boards & sizes do I need And So on. I want to have everything ready and my fur shed ready when season gets here. THANKS EVERYONE IN ADVANCE

What are you targeting?

How many furs do you have time to handle?

Do you have freezer space available?

I’d start out just skinning and selling green that way and build up stretchers as you go. Practice on your low value hides until you’re satisfied with the pelts outcome.

One beam is plenty to start with. My buddy made slip in PVC drain pipe beams that are interchangeable in different widths . With a single beam a hide can still be fleashed it just takes a little more work.

Look at the fur handling archive there’s a lot of info there. If you have a freezer it will buy you time to process the fur when convenient for you. You won’t need many stretchers if you just pull a few at a time from freezer.

one fleshing beam will get you well on your way you will need at least one stretcher for every species you plan on targeting but i would reccommend one sheet of 3/4"plywood which will give you 6 beaver stretchers at least 6 #1 wire stretchers for rats 6#4 wire stretchers for raccoon and a number 5 or 6 for coyotes

>I plan on starting slow

>I thought about the freezer thing but wasn't sure if that was a real option, how long can a hide stay frozen

>As for selling green, is there enough money in selling green?

>For target animal im not 100% sure cause iv not walked to line yet< but I have been told there is some cats K9s some beaver on the back side & of course coons

I started 2 years ago with 1 dz dps, 1 dz Duke #5, 6 Duke #3, 12 #110. 1st thing I bought was a fleshing board and fleshing knife, 1 dz hangers, 6 coon boards, 6 coyote wires and 6 coon wire stretchers. I trapped 35 coon, 4 foxes, 1 coyote, 2 bobcats and 10 opossum that 1st year and had enough of everything I needed. I buy stuff as I need it from Mn Trapping. I get it within a day or two.

Better find if theres a buyer for green skins in your area. Most parts of the country that's all but disappeared unless GFW comes around.

There is an annual sale in kusico ms. That will give you an idea what to expect as far as prices.Southern fur is pretty dismal at best.

That was going to be my next question, because Dukes who is my local fur buyer doesnt take green if I remember right.

so what is better a stretcher board or a wire ones. What size beam is best for multipurpose fur barres
And one more think, how long can you leave them in a freezer AND when im drying them how long do they need to hang before turning fur side out.

Thanks everyone, so far yall are being extreme help & I really do appreciate it!!!

Well, bless your heart.

I was told about the sell down there but I thought it was in the spring?

I could use all the blessings I can get

The sale in Kosciusko is in February.

I didn't know Duke still bought fur.

You can make a fleshing beam from a 2x6 and a sawhorse.
Buy a good fleshing knife,and a couple good skinners.And learn how to sharpen them properly. Make sure you have some brushes to comb out your fur before fleshing and after drying,and some push pins and nails for boarding beaver.An apron is nice to have and some nitrile disposable gloves
About 3 or 4 forming boards for each animal should get you started.You can make those easily from scrap lumber and hand tools.Sizes and dimensions for the boards are available on line from the FHA fur handling manual.
A small chest freezer will allow you to freeze pelts after skinning,then every few days take out enough to process and fill your boards again when your dry pelts come off.Some furbearers are good to eat so the freezer will come in handy for keeping meat for human consumption or for keeping it for bait.
Forget about selling green pelts,it limits your marketing options which is a huge disadvantage in todays market.

I stop in there last week shooting the breeze asking about what they thought they would be paying for fur this year. He did tell me there is a demand for beaver this year around here.

Fur will keep in the freezer for at least a year. I prefer wood stretchers for most things. As for how long before flipping fur-out pelts, it just depends on the temp, the humidity, whether you use a fan, etc. They should feel kinda tacky but not wet. You will undoubtedly overdry them before flipping at some point. When you do, wrap them in a warm damp towel for a bit until they get pliable enough again to flip.

So in other words, start slow (maybe with coons) get a beam & a few stretchers in different sizes & a freezer so im not so pressed for time with fleshing.