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Post by arrowsmith on Dec 30, 2014 20:10:03 GMT -5
Hey all, I caught a small beaver in a muskrat run today, and since this is the second time this has happened I decided to attempt to skin this one. Last year I caught my first beaver, but I decided to have it tanned and did not have to skin. I know the beavers are not worth much right now so I decided it might be a good time to learn some skinning and fleshing techniques. This is about how it went: Skinning - 15 minutes no problem at all. Fleshing - over and hour. Lots of work, a tear near the right edge and some "thin" spots where I pushed a little hard just above the mid point and I still do not know if I'm done! For some perspective I've only done rats in the past, and I've never seen so much flesh come off! Question is, there is still minor red membrane mostly around eye/nose area; do I need to remove it all? Boarding- 20 minutes and wondering do I have enough nails in? Trying to attach a few pics of what I'm guessing is a partially boarded beaver. Any help or suggestions appreciated. Arrowsmith
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Post by arrowsmith on Dec 30, 2014 20:59:22 GMT -5
Having trouble posting pics.
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Post by alpom on Dec 30, 2014 21:16:50 GMT -5
New to trapping myself. Did my first three beavers this year. I have same experience as it is a lot of work to flesh one. As to "thin spots" i had same issue las year with raccoons it was because i was holding fleshing knife in the wrong angle. Best way is to ask mentor (i am lucky to have a grate one) to watch you fleshing, second go watch someone. To me to see where fat ends and skin starts hard too in beaver. Watch a change in texture not color. Look here nytrappers.proboards.com/thread/11306/beaver-fur-put
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Post by alpom on Dec 31, 2014 15:22:14 GMT -5
Arrowsmith, I found this one good. Probably because it how i do it Can not tell anything about comments he is making i am at work watched it without sound www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv5eS1wRlf0
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Post by silentnight on Dec 31, 2014 15:35:38 GMT -5
arrow, send me a pm with your number ill post them for you if you need.
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Post by trappermac on Dec 31, 2014 15:42:41 GMT -5
Hey all, I caught a small beaver in a muskrat run today, and since this is the second time this has happened I decided to attempt to skin this one. Last year I caught my first beaver, but I decided to have it tanned and did not have to skin. I know the beavers are not worth much right now so I decided it might be a good time to learn some skinning and fleshing techniques. This is about how it went: Skinning - 15 minutes no problem at all. Fleshing - over and hour. Lots of work, a tear near the right edge and some "thin" spots where I pushed a little hard just above the mid point and I still do not know if I'm done! For some perspective I've only done rats in the past, and I've never seen so much flesh come off! Question is, there is still minor red membrane mostly around eye/nose area; do I need to remove it all? Boarding- 20 minutes and wondering do I have enough nails in? Trying to attach a few pics of what I'm guessing is a partially boarded beaver. Any help or suggestions appreciated. Arrowsmith Took your pic from the other sit and posted it for you. Look like you need a larger board and a pattern, it appears you had to "fit" the beaver to the board. You'll be ok with the face area the way it is. Nails should be 2 finger tips apart at minimum. You did OK for your first attempt. That's how you learn. Again, a 4x4 board and a beaver pattern would go a long ways.
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Post by REDNECK on Dec 31, 2014 16:27:49 GMT -5
I have to get my hands on a pattern to make two boards soon I got the one from fur harvesters but can figure it out I got 3 beaver to put up
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Post by arrowsmith on Dec 31, 2014 17:50:24 GMT -5
Thanks guys and especially Mac for moving the pic for me. I realized the problem with the board right away, but that is all I had at the time. As for the pattern, I'm not really a beaver trapper, but again, looks like I've got to get my hands on a pattern. Is the light redish areas ok on the center area, and how about the legs, do they always have to be sewn closed, or is that just preference? Arrowsmith
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Post by trappermac on Dec 31, 2014 18:32:00 GMT -5
On the back legs use nails to pull the slits together and make as small as possible. On the front you can use nails or tie off with string, doesn't make a big difference. As for the actual fleshing (red areas you're talking about) can't really see that in the pic, a little fuzzy. With the exception of the head area you should be down to leather everywhere.
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