Such a mess! So much FAT! Getting the hang of Lee’s knife but I left a lot on the saddle , as K Snow told me.
I’m afraid to use the sharp side because my other two I made big gashes in.
Does this look okay otherwise?
I need more patience.
Does leaving the saddle on hurt anything? Does it just make it not so soft?

On the fleshing beam are you pulling the hide up so where all the fat is left is closer to the tip of your fleshing beam to make it easier to flesh in the first picture?

Looks pretty good.Get used to just using the sharp side to get it started,,with small strokes,,then switch to the dull side.And yup,,they are Greasers.

Yes I try to pull it up so I don’t have to reach far. I try to do it in rotations and then work my way down so all the junk comes off at once and I’m not smearing the fur side with fat

The head and neck areas need more fleshing but your getting there.

Thank you. I’ve ruined a few and that upsets me. Work so hard to catch and skin them and then I make mistakes like that.

I have no idea how people can do this so quickly. It takes me 45 min

Maybe its just me but I always found it easier to start at the bottom lip and flesh the belly side first.Then the sides,with the back and tail last as that is the harder fleshing part instead of where the fat on the belly is soft.

Thank you Bruce

On a raccoon you don't need the sharp side very much, just maybe a bit on the back of the neck. Otherwise using the dull side and push. Maybe pull your back legs around a bit to the back. This forces more hair into the inspection window. It will look like that coon is really full of hair. Push them front legs in so all you have is creases where the legs are. I would take a picture of mine but the are on the way to FHA. I hope this helps. But if you are keeping it for yourself it will just fine.

I see what you’re saying. I’m keeping him. Cause I’m greedy

LOL if you saw my first ones,,,you wouldnt feel so bad.There was just barely enough skin to hold the holes in place.

I added more to my post but yes if you are keeping him he will be fine. Get a old rag so when he starts to dry the oil will run. Good start though.

I like to have my coon hides chilled so the fat is more solidified. Makes it easier to scrape and it's no so greasy. I put mine in a garbage bag and put them in my trapping refridgerator to cool.

You sure do go through a lot of rags and shop towels when dealing with fur!! This is a big one for me, I can’t wait to see him tanned!

He would have made a fine rug

Yes, the "saddle" needs to come off. As you know, that is the hard part! This is where you use the sharp side of your knife, and work that fat/gristle off. You will eventually find a technique that works for you. Just takes awhile.
The rest of it looks pretty good! Just keep after it and you'll get better with each one.

Elsmasho 82
Everyone who starts out putting up fur has all the same issues you are facing. Be patient dont worry how long it takes. The more you do the better you get. Listen to the advise given. If you can find someone close to help you with more time under there belt. I would recommend that. Most guys that are TRUE trappers will help you out with their knowledge. No matter how many videos you watch or how many others you watch doing it. Hands on is your best teacher. It takes time to master. You have to crawl before you run!!

X2 for sure!

Looks pretty good!
You can use a long sharp knife to flesh the neck area down more. Just make sure hide is tight to beam and fillet the tough stuff off. Then you’ll get an idea how deep you can go with the sharp side of fleshing knife next time.

good advice

you want the base of that skin by the tail to be straight across. a straight line going through the base of the tail. angled like you did will cost you when the coon market comes back. (trade with russia and china normal again) Buyers will measure from the nose to the shortest point. It may be the way you skinned it. get on you tube and look up coon skinning money cut