coon skinning

[Deadfall_Paul]

Hi Becky. Glad you aren't bashful about posting.

I am sure there are a lot of folks on here that can help with suggestions. Come on people lets help out here.

In the meantime some very good instruction can be had at Traps4Kids at the following link:

www.traps4kids.com/

You don't have to be a kid to learn some basic info and beyond here.

Just look in the lefthand column until you see "fur handling" then click on the link.

Hope this is useful to you.

Paul

[BeckyW]

Thanks Paul...I will check out the link and check in on the forum often. I have recommended it to a friend of mine as well.
Happy Holidays!
Beck

[Deadfall_Paul]

Great Beck. The more the merrier !!

Whatever you do please don't stop posting. We need the help.

Where are you from?

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season also.

Paul

[jk]

Hay everyone, thank you. I did learn how to flesh with all your help and by making my share of mistakes. I went to a district 7 met my district, the day of the flood and there a guy sold me a home made knife from a baking machine knife that is about 30 long with two pipe handles welded on for $5 and a 30 second talk on how to flesh, now my friends compliment me on my furs and I like fleshing. But this sucker is sharp to be only used on the backtendon like attachments between the shoulder blade and definately now on the belly of females, guess how I learned that! the regular cheap knives work everywhere else and I do as either bev or Ilas says and put the arm hoke on top of the board and flesh the rotate then flesh all around each arm separately. I can do two coon that are dry in an hour from carcess to stretcher. Now I am beginning to believe the board is becoming just as important in shape as the knife, I made my own and used wood filler and sanded it several times. Thanks everyone and seasons best......jk

[BeckyW]

My friend made a call to the guy we sell our hides to and asked if he would mind showing us how to flesh and stretch our coons. Told us to come on down. We learned SO much just watching and listening. I don't think I could have ever looked at a book and figured that out. Not only did he show us how, but he took the time to explain how they grade the fur, scarring/damage, etc...He was just so nice. Told us if we wanted we could bring some of ours down there and he would help us with them. He had a call from a fellow buyer while we were there and when asked what he was doing he told him he was "schooling some new pupils". Watched him do a beaver also....man that is ALOT of tedious work. It gives one an appreciation of just how much goes into it once they get your catch, and as for me I would think twice now, before crying too much about not getting paid enough for my hides.

[Deadfall_Paul]

Hey Beck

Yeah, a lot of folks sell "green" or "in the round" but I always considered fur handling a part of what I was doing the trapping for. But,hey, to each his own and there is nothing wrong with selling either way.

You said it tho, the best way to learn it is by having someone show you in the flesh, so to speak.

Most fur buyers are like that and will be more than happy to show you the correct way to do things.
After all it is to their advantage cause that way they get the fur the way they and their buyers want it.

This results in better prices all around, for all involved.

Good Luck in your trapping and I hope you get a lot of fur to practice those newly learned skills on.

Paul

[BeckyW]

Thanks Paul. We have had a pretty good season so far with coon already. I like to get my terriers out when the cold sets in.
Practiced a little on some roadkill coon I had picked up. I can see this could be a good release of frustration!!!!!
Happy Holidays!

[Deadfall_Paul]

Yeah Beck 'coon are fun, esp around the back of the neck and the front legs. But there are ways.

Hey, wait until you do a coyote !!! Just yanking the hide off is enough to tire an old guy like me.

But it's, as you say, a great way to take out your frustrations.

[BeckyW]

yep...some of those old boar coon get pretty gristley back there. I will keep you posted on how we get along with this, as we go along.