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Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat #8249110
10/30/24 02:57 PM
10/30/24 02:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
How I have always done it over all these years.What works best for me.I like to have a nail up at a angle on the edge of my skinning table to hook the muskrats rear feet to split from the tail to the rear foot.I also flesh all my muskrats right on the stretcher.
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Nevada bound
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249122
10/30/24 03:09 PM
10/30/24 03:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Turtledale Offline
trapper
Turtledale  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Very nice. I've never seen anyone use a beaver knife for fleshing rats. But I see it works great for you. I like the nail on the end of the table for opening cuts. Thanks for posting


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249160
10/30/24 03:37 PM
10/30/24 03:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 846
Lebanon, WI
Randy Wieland Offline
trapper
Randy Wieland  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 846
Lebanon, WI
Nice! Instead of the nail, I have a big spring clamp. Works great unless the leg is broken


The only thing worse than losing........Is QUITTING!
Lifetime Member WTA
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249681
10/31/24 04:15 AM
10/31/24 04:15 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14,873
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14,873
Michigan
good job,

Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249695
10/31/24 04:49 AM
10/31/24 04:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,673
NWWA/AZ
Vinke Offline
trapper
Vinke  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,673
NWWA/AZ
Interesting never thought of doing it on the stretcher,,,,,,
Nioce,,,,,,


Ant Man/ Marty 2028
Vinke/ Coonman for press Secretary��..

Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249779
10/31/24 07:33 AM
10/31/24 07:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
You over fleshed It .


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249785
10/31/24 07:43 AM
10/31/24 07:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,170
Williamsport, Pa.
J
jk Offline
trapper
jk  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,170
Williamsport, Pa.
I was with a fur buyer for several years and he too would say you over fleshed it, there is no saddle meat. He would discount you a bit.......jk


Free people are not equal. Equal people are not free. What's supposed to be ain't always is. Hopper Hunter
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249822
10/31/24 08:31 AM
10/31/24 08:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 46,940
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
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B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 46,940
james bay frontierOnt.
In todays market get all the fat off the skin or it will grease burn in your freezer waiting for the market to come back.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8249984
10/31/24 11:48 AM
10/31/24 11:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
LOL.

In my opinion most trappers over dry their fur. 2 days max for me or once the nose dries then they are off the boards. They don't go in the freezer they get packed In cardboard boxes till the buyer shows up.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: The Beav] #8250108
10/31/24 04:35 PM
10/31/24 04:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by The Beav
You over fleshed It .

Only took the fat off.Saddle is still on it


Nevada bound
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250114
10/31/24 04:42 PM
10/31/24 04:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,063
Peoria County Illinois
Larry Baer Offline
trapper
Larry Baer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,063
Peoria County Illinois
Nice, One time I saw a tip to hold the feet. Screw 2 drywall screws in the edge of the counter close to the edge about 5/8'' apart. Put the foot in between them and pull on the tail to make your cut then flip the rat over and do it again.


Just passin through
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250443
10/31/24 10:25 PM
10/31/24 10:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
A pair of vice grips attached to your bench is what I use. Clamp the tail and skin the rat without ever removing It till you're done.
The skin will absorb the fat as It dries. Removing all the fat and over drying will thin the hide and you will have what we call a paper rat. Rats are also graded by weight.

My trapper partner and I caught 2,500 rats one spring. These rats where caught In ND. ND rats are graded central because of their thin leather. I left all the fat on those rats and dried them for 2 days. When i dropped off those rats at NAFA the agent knew where I caught those rats. When all those rats were graded, they all graded eastern. The agent called me and asked how I put up those rats.
I hear where trappers are leaving their rats on the forms for 5 or more days. That In my opinion is just wrong.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250483
11/01/24 03:21 AM
11/01/24 03:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Turtledale Offline
trapper
Turtledale  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Beav, you say leaving them on forms for 5 or more days is wrong. What's the difference if on the form or in your cardboard box. I can see the freezer as it stops the fat from drying but don't they continue drying in the box? Serious question


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: The Beav] #8250545
11/01/24 05:55 AM
11/01/24 05:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by The Beav
A pair of vice grips attached to your bench is what I use. Clamp the tail and skin the rat without ever removing It till you're done.
The skin will absorb the fat as It dries. Removing all the fat and over drying will thin the hide and you will have what we call a paper rat. Rats are also graded by weight.

My trapper partner and I caught 2,500 rats one spring. These rats where caught In ND. ND rats are graded central because of their thin leather. I left all the fat on those rats and dried them for 2 days. When i dropped off those rats at NAFA the agent knew where I caught those rats. When all those rats were graded, they all graded eastern. The agent called me and asked how I put up those rats.
I hear where trappers are leaving their rats on the forms for 5 or more days. That In my opinion is just wrong.

Interesting


Nevada bound
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250649
11/01/24 08:57 AM
11/01/24 08:57 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
What you have when stretching hides on forms is 2 opposing forces as the hide dries and that will thin the hide as It dries. Wire forms are really bad because the wire acts as a spring forcing against the hide. So getting the hides off the forms Is going to help you out on the grade.

Leaving most of the fat on the hide will be absorbed into the leather. After a few days off the forms that fat will be just about totally absorbed. That absorbed fat actually keeps the hide from drying out. And once In the boxes there's no air getting to those hides.

I'll try and get some before and after pictures.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250717
11/01/24 10:51 AM
11/01/24 10:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,906
Idaho, Lemhi County
G
Gulo Offline
"On The Other Hand"
Gulo  Offline
"On The Other Hand"
G

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,906
Idaho, Lemhi County
I catch very few rats. A couple dozen per year just for marten bait. However, I do salvage the hides. Get 'em off those worthless wire stretchers and on to wooden boards. Dry much better and you can pin out the skirts for a better grade. Just my opinion after selling at NAFA or at FHA for many years.

Jack


Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250719
11/01/24 10:55 AM
11/01/24 10:55 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,476
USA-WI
K
Kre Offline
trapper
Kre  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,476
USA-WI
Wood or wire isn't going to matter in this market, especially with over fleshed, early rats.

Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250814
11/01/24 12:56 PM
11/01/24 12:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,196
Wisconsin
Well, the ADC rat count Is at 92. That's $920.00 I need 8 more on tomorrows last check to break that $1000.00 mark. Got one nice buck mink and two medium sized snappers in 160s. Released the two snappers and they were good to go. I'm hoping to get a $2.00 nose count on the rats when I sell them. Some of those rats will streach at 19" on the boards.
With the $500.00 and the two $300.00 sets fees I'm In rat heaven. Life Is good.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250815
11/01/24 01:02 PM
11/01/24 01:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Turtledale Offline
trapper
Turtledale  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,317
W NY
Thanks for the explanation Beav


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Skinning,fleshing and stretching a muskrat [Re: Bruce T] #8250840
11/01/24 01:32 PM
11/01/24 01:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,949
Northern Maine
Always enjoyed catching a few muskrats.Have never had any complaints from the local fur dealers.Around here most fur dealers buy by the nose count.I also now have some marten and fisher bait.


Nevada bound
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