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Post by lyonch on Jan 26, 2012 13:03:29 GMT -5
I didn't see a tips and tricks post in any of the fur handling sections, so let's put some out for all to learn!! Please post one tip, then wait for a bit to let others post one, then post another tip if you have one. feel free to expand these tips into full blown discussions in another thread!! If you have pictures or a video showing your trick, please feel free to add them! Let the tips and tricks begin!!!
If you want to make the whites of your coyote pelts a bit whiter, add about 2 tablespoons of pure bleach to your washing/rinsing solution while washing the pelt. It won't make a PA coyote into a montana pale, but it will enhance the white a bit more and maybe get you one better grade for clarity!
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Post by pappasmurf on Jan 26, 2012 15:12:57 GMT -5
Here's one... I started using an old serrated Steak knife from the kitchen for ringing the feet and work around the head. The blade stays sharper longer than on my straight skinning blades.
Most trapping suppliers sell serrated knives if Momma doesn't like you stealing knives out of the butcher block, lol.
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Post by lyonch on Jan 26, 2012 15:38:42 GMT -5
If you have a lot of beaver to skin, use a tree limb lopper, to lop the front and back legs off. This will save both time and the edge on your knife!
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Post by cornfedcoon on Jan 26, 2012 17:36:54 GMT -5
I know most folks already know this but use an old t-shirt or towel when pulling the coon hides down. It adds a lot of grip and is a lot easier on your hands.
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Post by lyonch on Jan 27, 2012 0:15:58 GMT -5
when making those opening cuts on coon and beavers, use a hook utility blade that roofers use for shingling. It will help aid in a straight cut!!
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Post by minifoxer on Jan 28, 2012 15:39:39 GMT -5
Don't throw out your latex skinning gloves right away! Placing one over your animals head that your skinning will cut back on any blood mess!
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Post by Law Dog on Jan 28, 2012 15:45:52 GMT -5
If selling coon in the "grease" leave as much leg on as you can the buyer then will trim your coon to look like his coon so the whole lot he has all look the same!
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Post by MT on Jan 28, 2012 16:05:40 GMT -5
Great tips guys!
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Post by minifoxer on Jan 28, 2012 16:52:03 GMT -5
Getting blood in the fur of your K9s can be quite a pain to remove!
Slightly dampen the blood spots, add borax and rub it untill it pops right out! after the blood is not visable but there is still borax in the fur you can either comb, or blow the remainin borax out with a air compressor, or your regular fur comb! Makes removing those blood spots real easy!
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Post by pappasmurf on Jan 28, 2012 17:12:15 GMT -5
Watch Lyonch's coon putup video and use a heavy dull blade to scrape off excess fat, hair and oils off the coon after boarding. Will greatly enhance the look and drying time.
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Post by pappasmurf on Jan 28, 2012 17:14:44 GMT -5
Oh, and from experience,lol, make sure the head is on the board centered and pulled down tight before stapling or pinning the hide at the base of the board. Otherwise its a re-do, and costs extra time.
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Post by lyonch on Jan 30, 2012 9:51:50 GMT -5
Pin the ears forward on your k-9's. This will give the pelt a cleaner sleak appearance, and will help aid in keeping the pelt form being damaged if the pelt is tumbled.
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Post by tmrschessie on Jun 5, 2012 9:25:10 GMT -5
Use rachet limb trimmers....they work far better and easier then regular ones. I use them on coon, coyote, cats, badger, beaver, etc...lay your coon in a line on the floor, take off the front feet just above the first joint....saves time and effort on the skinning machine. Tom
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Post by lyonch on Jun 5, 2012 9:31:29 GMT -5
On those coon that are right on the edge of being white but not quite there, rub them the leather side down with a heavy concentraction of dish soap and water and it will lighten up the leather a little. It won't take a September caught coon and look like a late november coon, but it will help a little. Oh this also aids in the drying time as it helps pull the grease out!
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Post by justme2 on Jul 24, 2012 8:44:12 GMT -5
hi minifoxer, great tip putting the old latex glove overthe head, I use paper towels taped around the head but I'm sure the glove is better, will try it this trapping season.
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Post by redneckbaker on Jul 24, 2012 12:52:29 GMT -5
I wash all my coyotes with woolite brightens the white and makes them soft
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Post by Law Dog on Jul 24, 2012 13:13:10 GMT -5
Never pile warm critters on the line all in one area of the vehicle, spred them out and when you get back to the shop lay them out belly down on a cold surface to prevent slippage and spoiling of the pelts!!
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Post by lyonch on Jul 24, 2012 13:19:47 GMT -5
When pinning a coon onto a stretcher, pin the outer edge first, then you can use the tail as a handle bar to pull it straight across and pin.
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Post by critterstuffr on Feb 7, 2013 15:36:46 GMT -5
When you skin your muskrats leave a little tab of the tail leather on the pelt. Then use those tabs to attach the pelt hooks on wire stretchers. When you stretch it, it wont tear the pelt.
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Post by stevet on Dec 31, 2014 21:21:55 GMT -5
having pallets to lay your catch out on helps with drying, keeps the animal from freezing or getting too stiff to skin, and gives you an extra day or 2 to skin.
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Post by roaddawg on Jan 1, 2015 19:13:45 GMT -5
I use paper towels to help hold onto a coons hide when skinning. It give lots of grip.
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Post by snakeskins on Jun 14, 2015 17:53:24 GMT -5
Thanks guys these tip and tricks will help me in my first trapping season come November.
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