Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 14, 2012 7:42:07 GMT -5
Ok guys. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. When I look at all the pictures of muskrats put up, they bottom on both the belly and the back comes to a point, like an arrowhead. When I put mine up, the belly side is straight across and the back side comes to a point. What am I not doing? I can put up a picture later if that helps.
Thanks Woj
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Post by Itrapny on Dec 14, 2012 7:51:42 GMT -5
Sounds as if you may be cutting them wrong Where are you making your cuts? You need to cut from heel to vent rather than heel to heel
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 14, 2012 8:06:07 GMT -5
Hi Wayne-
I cut heel to vent from both sides. I used the NY Trappers Book that I got at my training course to refer to when skinning out the rats. I just don't know what I am missing.
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Post by fuzztrapper on Dec 14, 2012 22:01:37 GMT -5
Instead of skinning to the vent try heel to tail might not make a big difference but worth a try. That's how I do it
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Post by mexicantrapper on Dec 14, 2012 23:04:27 GMT -5
Fuzztrapper has it right. Heel to base of the tail.
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 15, 2012 20:34:21 GMT -5
Ok so you leave the vent attached? Maybe that's what I screwed up?
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Post by fuzztrapper on Dec 16, 2012 0:15:42 GMT -5
Yeah leave the vent attached helps when stretching the hide too that skin is a little tougher than the belly skin. It won't tear as easy.
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cooper67
#2 Newhouse
oswego county trappers ,nysta,jefferson county
Posts: 2,554
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Post by cooper67 on Dec 16, 2012 11:48:56 GMT -5
woj want me to come out & give you a hand let me know /
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Post by dirtholedan on Dec 16, 2012 14:01:54 GMT -5
From the heel go up the tail bout half inch on each side then start there leaving vent helps with streching like fuzztrapper said too
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 16, 2012 15:44:19 GMT -5
Ok thats where I screwed up. I cut the first one heel to vent and the second heel to tail but cut the vent off. Still 16.5 inches to the straight edge. Thanks for the help guys. Hopefully I will get a couple more.
Coop. thanks for the offer but 2 rats wouldn't even be worth the trip for ya
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Post by mikespring on Dec 16, 2012 17:19:55 GMT -5
Yep...Heel to tail....
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Post by nightstalker1 on Dec 16, 2012 17:56:59 GMT -5
From Fur Harvesters website (under educational) : SKINNING Prepare to skin by either laying the muskrat on its back or by hanging it from its tail from over head, with its tail nearest your knife hand. Grasp the right foot and make a straight cut from the base of the heel to the tail. Continue to push the knife through the underside of the tail and cut up leaving 1 to 11/2 inch of tail attached to the belly fur. Turn the muskrat around and repeat procedure meeting at the tail incision. You will notice the line where the fur from the back (longer) meets the belly fur (shorter). The 1 to 11/2 inch of tail left on the skirt of the belly prevents the pelt from tearing when it is mounted on the wire stretcher. Free the back side of the muskrat leaving the same amount of tail skin as done on the underside. Now, with these cuts completed, work your hand up the back between the pelt and the flesh. Work the pelt over the head, cutting the ears close to the skull and with care around eyes and mouth. Next pull the front feet through the pelt and carefully work the pelt away www.furharvesters.com/pelthandling.htm
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 16, 2012 20:55:52 GMT -5
Thanks Tom Any time I see the word "educational" I cringe just a little. It's almost like the words "Superintendent Conference Day"
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Post by nightstalker1 on Dec 17, 2012 16:26:45 GMT -5
Alot of good info. on that site Nick
I know some of the guys who use wire stretchers like to leave about 1/2" of tail leather on the pelt to put the stretcher hooks in and not tear the fur
Get all the high dollar rats you can
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cooper67
#2 Newhouse
oswego county trappers ,nysta,jefferson county
Posts: 2,554
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Post by cooper67 on Dec 19, 2012 16:36:11 GMT -5
nick always willing to help you are only 1/2 to 45 minutes away.
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 19, 2012 21:46:28 GMT -5
Yeah you are a good guy like that. . Hey is Art harassing you these days? Not Artie, but the Art you work with. Goes to church with me now.
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Post by erict on Dec 20, 2012 23:24:44 GMT -5
This may be helpful - look at this video around the 2:45 and 6:40 marks - it shows what others are suggesting. May show up better if you "full screen" the vid by clicking the lower right corner.
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Post by Woj on Dec 22, 2012 10:37:26 GMT -5
Thanks Eric. I figured out what I did wrong. I cut the vent off. Won't do that on the next ones. .
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cooper67
#2 Newhouse
oswego county trappers ,nysta,jefferson county
Posts: 2,554
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Post by cooper67 on Dec 24, 2012 9:47:40 GMT -5
hardly seee art , & i know not to watch his maching so he can go the bathroom 1/2 hour later, woj anytime you need help dont hesitate to call i help out a lot of people now. kid brought over three coon the other night taught him how to skin & flesh so he can make the best out of his money rather then sell on the carcass
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