Who takes it out and who doesn't?

When I sold to private buyers and they knew my put-up id leave it in.

Now I mainly sell at auctions so I take it out.

I take it out of every fox and coyote. Doesn't take long at all and in my opinion offers a better looking finished product.

I take the cartilage out of all canines and my cats . When I put them on the board I pin the ears out on cardboard then when I flip them I pin them up flat towards the eye holes. I feel like it makes for a better, more neat presentation and I don’t have to worry about the potential for slippage. My fur buyer has always praised the effort and I want to make the best end product I can .

i know they recommend it at FHA

What is the easiest method of removing it?

I take it out when I'm skinning if I have time or at the put up.

I dont remove it just because it gives the ears a more rounded and better look imo, however easiest way I have found is a screw driver inserted between the cartridge and hide and slowlyyy pulling down to remove it. If you go to fast you will rip the ear in half.

I remove it on fox and coyotes, once you get the hang of it, it’s not that hard.

I use catfish skinners to get ahold of the cartilage once I've skinned a little around the base to get it started so it'll pull off right.

If you want to sell to the crafter or tanner markets, do not remove it! I sew part time and I would not buy anything with the ears cartilage removed.

I’ve tried removing the cartilage from coyote ears. About tore the ears off so I quit doing it. My buyer has never questioned the ear appearance on either species so I leave the cartilage in.