Beaver Pelt Size Determination for Boarding

Many people have difficulty in determining what oval ring to follow to obtain the proper size for the pelt being boarded. The procedure I have found to be the best method to determine the proper ring size works virtually every time without any adjustments needed after a bit of nailing. Even a beginner is usually able to get it right every time without any problems
This method is accomplished by grasping the nose and the center of the hind end of the pelt then center the pelt equally across the width wise center line of the board. Then grab the sides of the pelt at the lengthwise center line of the board and stretch the pelt taut equal distance along the center line from the center point of the board, one side to the top of the board and the other side to the bottom. The line the pelt stretches to is the proper size of the pelt for boarding purposes and guideline ring to follow. Now rotate the pelt 90 degrees, aligning the head and tail end to the lengthwise center line of board. If you are midway between two sizes, tack to the larger size. If less than midway, tack between the sizes.





When the clean up, tacking and trimming is complete and the pelt lifted up on the nails, for drying purposes, the center of the pelt should sag to the board.

That will work.

Here's what I do. I just take the raw hide by the nose let It hang naturally and then just drag It across the board. I pull the hide until the nose reaches the outer ring on the board. Where the butt end stops that's the ring I use all the way around.

I like this post. What works well for me and is pretty quick is to lay the pelt on the board and stretch out nose to tail properly centered on the board, whichever ring it hits nail 2 sizes smaller.

I do it the way Beav does. All of my beaver are hatters so as long as it is close, its good. Find the ring, smack a nail in every 4 inches around, cut out the ears, cut off the nose and lips and call it done. Doesn't have to be pretty when they are buying them by the pound.

Has anyone tried or perfected this boarding method? Correlating linear length to ring size,


Length Size Ring

42" Cub 7
47" SM 6
51" M 5
55" M-L 4
60" L 3
65" XL 2
72" 2XL 1
80" 3XL 0

Very helpful post indeed. I’ve advanced past beginners stage with the actual trapping and skinning, but the boarding not so much. Made 3 boards yesterday so I can start knocking out the 20-some pelts I have to care for, and I don’t plan to stop trapping anytime soon.