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Post by mvernelson on Dec 17, 2014 20:23:47 GMT -5
When your skinning rats, do the majority prefer on the table, on the gambrel or a little of both? I'm trying to come up with a speedy method that works for me that is methodical without time wasted fumbling. I think where I was losing the most time "seconds" was getting the initial cuts in and getting past the rear legs. I built a device " I call it a rat skinner" that basically holds the rat in a position that I like that is comfortable for the way I have been skinning them. At first, I thought I had wasted my time but after running a few dozen through it I really like it. Just curious what others prefer for skinning them.
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Post by OneHandSetters on Dec 17, 2014 20:42:44 GMT -5
I think that every one develops there own way that is comfortable for them. You will change how you do it when you see another way that may be easier for you. But you will not know until you try it.
I lock the right rear foot in a wide flat blade vice grip pliers so just the one hind leg is on the table. Then I pull the left foot tight and make a straight cut foot to foot between the anise and the thingy. Then a cut from the tail to the first cut. Done with the knife. Hang in Gamble and peal the hide off, run thumb through fur behind leg and roll up and off foot. do both sides, then do same to tail, roll head into belly and pull up on the hide to free the rear end knife ears and eyes done. Easier to show you then describe here.
It is just a way I like to do it and no knife holes. It is how every you feel is the right way for you. It will not be the right way for every one. Dave
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Post by Dave Morse on Dec 17, 2014 20:47:04 GMT -5
I hang from a Gambrell. Rinse in clean cold water, shake dry wrap in newspaper for an hour or so lay rats on back and with side cutters cut off front feet and put slice in each back foot across the pad insert sharp s hook in foot slice to hang from Gambrell slice from leg to tail x2 with thumb work skin off back legs all the way around both with my left hand I grip the bare back legs carcass , with the right I pull hide all the way to the cheeks while using left hand to keep rat from pulling apart cut cheeks and done
I use a muskrat board to flesh on slide rat on board , table at waist level lay rat on table with the nose facing away from you with a butter knife scrap away from your body with right holding hide tight with left do both side tail to head pin and go done
I could have completed 5 in the time it took me to write this description. Hope this helps somebody and its not too confusing.
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Post by coni on Dec 17, 2014 20:49:55 GMT -5
I put rat while standing between legs above knees hold with legs proceed to make cuts from leg to tail flip do likewise Pinch tail skin n cut peal skin around leg n cut flip n do other Lift butt area cut gently down to belly then separate with thumb step on foot hold chest pull to ears. Cut carefully cut eyes n nose. Takes about 45-60 sec. With practice This is the way my gramp taught me maybe it will work for u
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Post by Dave Morse on Dec 17, 2014 20:56:43 GMT -5
Anybody see all the traps for sale on craigslist, 4 days in to the new fur market and everybody's selling out. Now if the deer hunters could finish by November 1st .
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MuskratKid_Ny
Don't catch any fur with traps in the shed get setting
Posts: 434
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Post by MuskratKid_Ny on Dec 17, 2014 22:46:04 GMT -5
My favorite trick before you start is cutting the front feet off with cutters then when I get there they pull free...
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Post by flatiron on Dec 18, 2014 12:21:35 GMT -5
You guys better sign up for the Flatiron skinning contest Sunday!! Austin's supplying the rats and winner keeps em.
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Post by mvernelson on Dec 18, 2014 13:16:15 GMT -5
That would be something I'd just like to watch! Unfortunately I have family in town lol.
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Post by 2labs on Dec 18, 2014 14:06:57 GMT -5
I hang mine by tail cut between back legs and tail and start pulling,I use to skin one in 30 seconds but much slower now!!LOL
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paintedpaw
Retired NYSDEC Lake George Ranger
Posts: 691
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Post by paintedpaw on Dec 18, 2014 16:45:27 GMT -5
I believe it shoild be determined with what you are most comfortable with. After a lifetime I have skinned thousands of rats. I don't think being a speed skinner is that important unless you are catching a whole lot of rats. I think it is more important to take your time, do the job right, flesh them properly, and take pride in your fur handling.
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Dec 18, 2014 16:48:21 GMT -5
You guys better sign up for the Flatiron skinning contest Sunday!! Austin's supplying the rats and winner keeps em. I'm only charging $1 per muskrat entry fee for the contest. Grand prize is all the full cans of Blue leftover when the night is done. I plan on bringing 100 rats for the contest, but I can bring more if y'all have enough dollar bills to enter
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Post by proratman on Dec 18, 2014 19:40:40 GMT -5
Ask 12 people how they skin their rats and you will get 12 different answers
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Post by mvernelson on Dec 18, 2014 23:09:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the great info. Gets my wheels turnin. Everytime I pull too much the guts spill and the head pops off. Is this common?
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Post by flatiron on Dec 19, 2014 11:18:59 GMT -5
I sit down and start the rat between my knees, once the legs are done I run my hand up the back and grab behind the shoulders and turn it inside out. The belly side ends skinned last -----no guts!
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Post by Lonny Mattison on Dec 19, 2014 11:42:41 GMT -5
With all the mink around the Flatiron that Von has been catching he can do a mink demo!
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