I am looking to try my hand at hooping a few beaver this year. Any tips or tricks you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I searched the archives but I didn't really find much info. Let's try to get it all in one thread. My first questions are:

When do you cut the willows? In Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall?
What size willows work best? Big end size, Small end size? I figure I might need as many as 3 or 4 pieces lashed together to get around my large beaver.
How long do I let the willow hoop dry before attaching the pelt?
Is the fake sinew the thing to use to lash several sections of willows together and to lace the pelt to the hoop or is there something better?
Will the fake sinew tighten as it dries to help secure the willow hoop joints?
What is the best way to get the holes in the pelt? Are the nails holes enough or do I need to make bigger holes or slots?
Any tips or tricks to easily keep the pelt centered in the hoop while lacing?

Any other things I need to consider?

Schmattz

I'd suggest a scratch awl and a piece of board under the pelt to push the awl down and through hide before starting on lacing it on the hoop .

As for the willows I'd say when they are soft and they bend the easiest , I was going go do the same thing , I even cut some willows for the project then work got crazy busy and I never got around to it . I had some nice looking red willows picked out and when I tried to gently start the bend they snapped ! So much for that good idea ha ha I hope it works out better for you !

I cut my hoops (willow) in the summer, and bend them green into shape. I tape them in place with duct tape and let them dry.
For piercing holes in hides, I use a diamond bladed awl. On thin skins, like muskrat, I'll glue little circles of deerskin to the back where I punch the holes.
Be sure to block the fur before hooping, to get the fur nice and flat to work with.
To tie the hoop together, I use real deer rawhide. Artificial sinew is just waxed nylon or waxed polyester. It doesn't shrink, and knots are difficult to get to stay without melting the ends. I'd avoid using it if at all possible.
To lace the hide into the frame, I cut deerskin lace in a spiral pattern. Start with a 12 inch or so circle, and start cutting lace about 3/32 (just under 1/4 inch) with scissors. Keep going around the circle and you can get a long piece of lace from that 12 inch circle.
I use two pieces of lace to put the hide in the hoop, start at the nose and go to the tail. Leave them loose, and you can adjust the lacing to get the hide centered in the hoop. Try to always go through the hide from the leather to the fur sided, that way you don't pull fur into the hole when pulling the lace.

To keep it centered I nail the tanned hide back on the board. Wrap the willow a couple inches outside that diameter .... keeping it in place with nails that are side by side. Lifting it as I work my way around it. I've had to soak some willows in water at times to get them to bend without breaking.

I use a leather punch.

Great thread! Anyone see or do badger this way? Been thinking of doing one.

Awesome tips K and cattails!

Muskrat on here, runs Riverine Traders, the "hoop your fur" ads in the trapping magazines.
His shop has several examples of hooped badger pelts, and just about every other species there is.

Riverine Traders

Thanks!

I think Muskrat steams his willow.

Well, that's a new one!

New???

You get a section of 6" pipe cap one end and place it at an angle fill with water and push in your willow. Then start a fire under the pipe. But I bet Muskrat has It a little more refined.

I prefer Grape vines from our woods that I gather in the Spring. They are full of sap and bend easily to the desired shape. They keep the memory, then you can over lap or cut them to achieve the desired hoop size. I age / dry them for a year before use.