Preserving a beaver tail

Can a beaver tail be 'tanned.' If so, what's the trick? I'd like to hang 1 in our sports room.

They can be tanned. Not sure the exact method. Randy Shuff might be able to help you out.

If you just want one to hang on the walll, if you leash it very well and wipe off the excess grease, it should be ok.

Cut along the outermost edge with a scissors then finish the cut to the base with a knife. Peel back the top a bit, put the tail in a vise and pull the hide with a pair of pliers. cut as much fat off as you can with a fillet knife then salt and send to the tannery.

The “U” shaped welding vise works best for holding the tail as you pull

I did my first one this year. skinned and fleshed well. put in pickle, fleshed and thinned, back in pickle, dried, oiled well, worked over a cable and done. not sure how everyone else does it but it looked good for my first one.
looking at making it into something.

I watched a cool you tube video for preparing a beaver tail. Anyone know of a tannery that tans beaver tails? I asked GNF, but they didn't seem interested.

Most commercial tanneries don't mess with beaver tails. Different price than doing fur pelts.

There is a tannery some place that Grit Guy uses. Not sure if he is willing to share that info or not.

Moyles does do beaver pelts with the tail attached. But the tail usually takes quite a beating and needs some TLC afterwards to make it look good.

This is where I sent my beaver tails last year. Fast turn around and easy to work with.
http://www.specialtyleather.com

X2

$6.50 per side