Wy.Wolfer stated that it's all about the tails. Any thoughts about just finishing the tails only?

Just be careful the tail can make or break a nice hide sometimes a little knife work is better than a lot of fleshing on the tails. Now it sounds like it’s even more important to go easy make sure it gets lots of air and wiped off often to prevent slippage.

How about a little borax on those tails?

Thought that was having a negative impact on the tanning process at least on cats? I’d check around to be sure.

Borax pull moisture out of the hide, so it dries quicker (in the right environment) you still have to flesh well before using it.

I've never used borax on skunk tails. Skunks need time to dry properly. Don't wait till the last minute to put them up. They are a greasy animal that needs proper fleshing. Also be sure to scrap the hide with the back of your long knife like a coon after boarding. It really takes some of that last grease of like a screed

Finishing just the tails?.....No. Even if they are using the tails I don't think they would be tossing good pelts. And if the tail thing is true there's still lots of tanners that need full pelts for hats and such

I just flesh them like any animal, not sure what the big deal is. Unless some don’t flesh properly. Dry it in proper conditions and they'll be 100%. When you get em, put ‘em up. Why wait until they pile up. I use a plastic fleshing knife it’s so easy……but I don’t let dead animals wait to be put up. Maybe it sucks if you toss em in the freezer?
Any tanner with borax issues had their own issues……old wives tail….lol.

Shakey, I've never seen a plastic fleshing knife. Is this store bought or homemade? I sure would like a picture or a link if possible. I'd buy one just to add it to my collection thanks

Some roadkills are blowup but the tail is still okay.

You could just make one. Dam Beaver just cuts an angle on a 1/2” piece of plastic. I put hockey tape on the handles for comfort.

Just the tails only is NOT a good idea. These folks are looking for various specific things in the tails. Not any tail will do. It has to meet their specifications. I know a fellow that sent them 60 dressed skunks with tails. They bought 27 and rejected the rest. That is about half.

A skunk without a tail is of very little value on the craft market. Process the entire pelt, you still have a saleable item if they don’t want the tail.

Are these 80.00 dollar skunks prime or are they buying summer skunks too ?

Who’s them?

Agreed. Put them up, it doesn’t take long at all. I think we’ll find out how many trappers want to deal with skunks….lol. It’s not bad.

My fur buyer said a big NO to summer skunks but he is buying tanned skunks with good tails.

I gotta admit my stomach ain't as strong as it once was...

You would be amazed at the idea of some who think they know how to flesh anything, being a buyer of fur for some time now !

It's very disappointing to pass on a pelt, especially one I need for hats I make that I know just by looking at the put up, they will not make it through the tanning process. Many skunks are just this way. maybe this will help others with their learning curve !

I buy skunks as well as all the others but not for $80.00 dollars, LOL this is top lot by some one needing a particular size and color and stripes as well as tails. I've paid as high as $50.00 most times for large nice striped and long tails put up clean and done right, with out any complaints doing so ! Even with that no one wants to work them over much !!

I read some where these top dollar pelts are not being bought for hats though, some other special reason thats heated up by some demand or sales push !

Them = the people who are buying and using skunk tails. I do NOT know who they are exactly. As with anything, lots of speculation.

I’ve seen hides I could see through not from being thin just held oil that I thought would not tan well, I was shocked when the civet came back in excellent condition I did not expect that. I need to clean out my freezer it’s looking like and see what I come up with for hides.

Seen that clear look on beaver hides before also.

So it’s only the 2 guys at the auction paying for that $ for them. There’s still tanned skunks for sale all over, unless their websites aren’t updated. I believe Mbcoonguy knows one of the bidders……and Johnny’s gettin all geared up for skunk….lol. That should say something.

Are they just not fleshed enough and dried/stored improperly? Then get all sainted and stinky? There was some coyotes dropped off at our convention last April that I didn’t even have to see to know they’re NFG, the nose did the grading….lol. Mr Gibb was sent by NAFA or FHA up to the northern reserves and isolated towns to show them how the auction wanted their fur. Northern prime pets getting a small percentage of what they’re worth.
When starting out, guy shouldn’t be afraid to damage a few pelts learning, it’ll happen to the best and you learn. I hate it when a guy asks if this wolf is worth taxi skinning, it takes long and they’ve never done it. I tell them “no, wait until you get a nice black xxl to try taxi skinning”……lol

I thought someone had posted they had a skunk at FHA that was missing half the tail and it sold for sixty-some dollars. Maybe it ain't all about the tails.