been getting some ermine on the marten line and never have luck getting the last bit of tail off without breaking it any advice? thanks

Are you using a tail stripper? If so, I would guess the hole is too large and as the tail and bone get thinner, the hide is slipping into the hole and you are pulling the tail rather then pushing it. The stripper has to push the hide off not pull it off.

The fresher the better.
Ermine tails can dry out quick on the carcass,worse when frozen.
Sew any ripped off tails back on.

always tough job

No just using my fingers and yeah they are all caught in conibear on 3 day check so dried out and maybe freeze burned. I have the same issue with fox caught in sub zero weather end of tail just does not hold up well even in foot hold where they are still alive I think the tips of the tail frost bite.

I think the problem might be they freeze dry, I am going to try and put them in a bag of water for a few hours see it it helps.

On Ermine I always used my finger and thumbnail to strip the tail and rarely had any troubles getting the entire tail off. I hope the water trick helps.

Only thing I can add to Rob’s description is to mention you pull the bone out of the tail. And not the tail off the bone ! And as mentioned use your thumb nail as a sort of tail stripper !

Thanks folks for got them soaking in the fridge now will give things a try again.

I sell them whole to a taxidemist for more than I can get put up.