Title says it all, just trying to improve my bobcat putup.

Looks good, maybe just clean off the blood.

Get some oxi clean and remove that blood.

The pelt is shifted, looking at the dark stripe down the back, to the right on the board. That would mean the belly is shifted as well. need to keep that stripe straight, you did, and centered, you didn't. Again, looking at the back, about where the legs attach on the left side of the board you can see brown fur on the very edge, that you don't see on the opposite side. Again, it's not fully centered on the board.

A good dry bath in borax should take care of the blood and make the overall appearance improve.

And Mac has a point about centering on the board. You can see it is off center by lookin at either side.

I noticed that the next day, when I looked at the pic. Too late now, but thanks. I only put up a couple a year, so any and all advice is welcomed. I also didn't pin the back legs well enough and got a little searation in the crotch area. As far as the blood, it will get a good borax rubbing and a blow job when I take it off the board. Thanks again, all!

I leave the bottom lip on, just pin it up to dry. I think it looks better and if getting tanned both lips make the mouth look better too, imo.
Center it up and get the blood off.
We wash our bobcat hides before boarding, adds a drying time but looks really nice and fluffs the hair.
Dry it with the head down, bet you know that though.

This is after a borax rubbing, and a blow job. I know there are things I could have done better, but I think he turned out ok.

Looks nice.
Ask the buyer what he thinks and take his advice. I always ask them about our put up when we sell.
Try to maximize the size of the white belly and hang it upside down, head down to help fluff the fur. Hang them head down while on the board drying.

Unless the fur buyer is coming directly to your house to buy the cat upside down, do you really think hanging upside makes any difference? You take it off the stretcher to take to the local buyer, or take to a state auction, or take to an agent so they can shove it in a bag and send to the FHA. It'll get drummed at the FHA, and after it takes a ride to the local buyer or state auction, hanging upside down is irrelevant. I'm asking this question with the utmost respect.

Yes hanging up side down helps the fur stand up better, makes it look like more fur so yea it is worth it and doesn't take up anymore time than hanging by the head. The hairs dry standing up, the hide it set that way.
Our trapping mentor taught us that ah he knew what he was doing, $1200 bobcats to prove it.

I ask every buyer or the shipper about our put up every time we sell or ship, they all say the same thing, my put up is great and the hides look nice.
Not changing now with that kind of feedback from buyers.

How many of you cat trappers hang them upside down for drying?

No problem with your question kinley31.

No one is going to take better care of our fur than us, but once it's handed off, it will never look that good again. Yes, the hairs may dry standing up, but they're not going to stay that way permanently. Your right wytex, it doesn't take anymore effort to hang upside down. I just think trappers sometimes put extra effort into trying to polish something that doesn't need it. I've asked several fur buyers about coon on wood vs. wire. I'll be the first to admit, they look better on wood, but the fur buyers I've asked said it absolutely makes no difference. Not trying to offend anyone, I think it's a good conversation to bounce around.

It's like putting in the effort to wash coyotes. If you think washing an Iowa coyote is going to add an extra $20, you just wasted your time and your wife's detergent. You cant polish a turd.

kinley if we're selling to a buyer then what the hides looks like to him or her is what matters. After they buy it we have no control on how it is handled. But if the put up brings extra money from the buyer it is absolutely worth it to us.
As far as hanging them upside down to dry, I wonder how many cat trappers don't do that?
I think it is pretty well known and widely practiced, could well be wrong though.
Seems to be the way it is on bobcats and trying to help the guy with his put up. It sure doesn't hurt and actually helps with appearance.

Comparing bobcats to coon, apples to oranges, but I get the point you are making on coon.
Our bobcats are worth the extra effort to put them up nicely, when dealing with hides worth hundreds of dollars I'm not skimping on put up.

Have had buyers comments on dirty coyotes too, they don't like them around here anyway. But that was when coyotes brought some decent money.

I like to hang mine nose down. Mine get a Borax rub down, brushed and fluffed. To me it adds to the overall appearance.

They look great!

I appreciate it.

Well done

Thanks Hern