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Mink???
Feb 2, 2010 23:01:35 GMT -5
Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 2, 2010 23:01:35 GMT -5
I plan on putting up my first mink tomorrow. I've read some on the topic and have a few questions:
How do you go about pleating the tail and the bottom of the pelt?
The FHA manual says to remove the front legs before skinning and I think some of you have suggested trimming them short. Is it best to cut the front legs off before skinning? If so where (elbow, etc)? Or should I just trim an inch or so off the pelt after skinning?
When trimming off the lower lip, how much should I remove?
Thanks.
- John
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Post by johnrockwood on Feb 3, 2010 7:52:38 GMT -5
1. Forget the pleating - it's not necessary ! 2. Trim the front legs after you put the mink on the board and get it all tacked out. 3. Trim them off so they only stick out an half inch or so. 4. Remove enough of the lower lip so that nothing hangs down against the rest of the skin causing it to spoil because it won't dry there or tack the bottom lip up in place. Either way is acceptable.
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Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 4, 2010 8:04:46 GMT -5
Thanks John.
I worked on the mink last night. I'll have to post pictures tonight.
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Mink???
Feb 4, 2010 12:08:20 GMT -5
Post by trappintommer on Feb 4, 2010 12:08:20 GMT -5
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Mink???
Feb 4, 2010 22:55:48 GMT -5
Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 4, 2010 22:55:48 GMT -5
Thanks trappintommer. Here's the mink. It was funny trying to pin the hind legs on the side with the tail. Almost seemed like there was too much skin, so it got bunched up a little. Also here's my son with our rats:
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Mink???
Feb 7, 2010 22:19:33 GMT -5
Post by otter04 on Feb 7, 2010 22:19:33 GMT -5
Whittler, were your belly board is, pull them legs closer together, real close and then you wont have that bunching of fur near the base of the tail. other than that it looks good. dont forget to slip your belly board back in and pin and excess hide to it and pin your tail down and open. later
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Zagman
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,186
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Mink???
Feb 8, 2010 12:37:49 GMT -5
Post by Zagman on Feb 8, 2010 12:37:49 GMT -5
I pull the legs around the back side....the belly then is almost straight across vs. concave or convex. This also aids in tail pleating, if one chooses to do such.
MZ
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Mink???
Feb 8, 2010 13:07:21 GMT -5
Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 8, 2010 13:07:21 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by gibb on Feb 14, 2010 9:18:08 GMT -5
The nails are pointing out the lower lip off, the legs tucked inside and the inspection window. Very important to have an inspection window. By placing the legs on the back with the tail you will only have to trim a small piece of fur from the belly to have a proper inspection window. Jim
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Post by Itrapny on Feb 14, 2010 11:45:54 GMT -5
Thanks Gibb, nice photos to explain it
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Mink???
Feb 14, 2010 14:48:02 GMT -5
Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 14, 2010 14:48:02 GMT -5
Thanks gibb. Are the tails on all those mink pleated? They look short.
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Mink???
Feb 14, 2010 15:29:56 GMT -5
Post by Itrapny on Feb 14, 2010 15:29:56 GMT -5
Yup, those are pleated...that's how I do mine too
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Mink???
Feb 14, 2010 16:45:13 GMT -5
Post by Woj on Feb 14, 2010 16:45:13 GMT -5
What's the purpose of pleating? DO you do it on your K9's as well?
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Post by gibb on Feb 14, 2010 16:47:10 GMT -5
You can leave the tail long if you like, but make sure you remove all the fat and grease as mink turn stale the fastest. Pleating will enhence the inspection window. When you grade mink the only area that you can check is the inspection area. If you pleat the tail you are placing as much fur in the inspection window instead of pulling it out by making a long tail. Mink are sized from the nose to base of tail. A long tail does not add length. Only mink are pleated. Jim
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Post by whistlerwhittler on Feb 14, 2010 19:53:19 GMT -5
I was wondering about that. Thanks for the explanation.
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Woj
#3 Newhouse
Posts: 3,381
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Mink???
Feb 14, 2010 22:34:23 GMT -5
Post by Woj on Feb 14, 2010 22:34:23 GMT -5
Thanks Gibb. I appreciate your explanation. Very clear. Thank you.
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Mink???
Jan 17, 2011 21:27:47 GMT -5
Post by mvernelson on Jan 17, 2011 21:27:47 GMT -5
Or the furbuyer can turn the mink over and see all the tail fur jammed into the inspection window? ? Pleating is done on otters as well and while it makes the "window" look better doesnt upgrade your fur.
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Mink???
Jan 18, 2011 16:04:28 GMT -5
Post by Itrapny on Jan 18, 2011 16:04:28 GMT -5
If the man from Fur Harvesters (Gibb) wants them that way, why would you do them any other way? NAFA prefers them that way as well.
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Mink???
Jan 18, 2011 17:59:39 GMT -5
Post by mvernelson on Jan 18, 2011 17:59:39 GMT -5
Im no expert like Gibb and not arguing, Its just silly thats all. I just dont see the logic lol? If the furbuyer wants'em folded into origami so be it ,he's buyin'em right?
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cooper67
#2 Newhouse
oswego county trappers ,nysta,jefferson county
Posts: 2,554
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Mink???
Jan 19, 2011 16:40:29 GMT -5
Post by cooper67 on Jan 19, 2011 16:40:29 GMT -5
why does the saddle left on the animal make a difference , as if you do not get the fat out it will spoil & if you take the saddle off you get down graded i do not get it.
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Mink???
Jan 19, 2011 18:39:58 GMT -5
Post by Itrapny on Jan 19, 2011 18:39:58 GMT -5
If you take the saddle off it makes the pelt thin & brittle and doesn't tan as well...same with 'rats. You can get the fat out from under the saddle without removing it, give it a try ;D
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Mink???
Jan 19, 2011 22:42:21 GMT -5
Post by johnrockwood on Jan 19, 2011 22:42:21 GMT -5
Taking the saddles off rats and mink can sometimes cause the fur to slip, too, as it can damage the hair roots. It is difficult to get the fat off some of those old buck mink without removing the saddle as there is so much fat between the red meat and the skin. You have to kind of squeeze it out as best you can.
I still do not pleat tails on mink or otter. I'm old, set in my ways, and I think it makes them look like sissies ;D I'm not saying it's wrong, only a matter of preference. If you are going to send your mink and otters to FHA or NAFA, I'd suggest putting them up the way they want them. However, I'd find it very hard to believe that their mink graders would grade your mink any differently either way. That said, I'd also like to explain that I do not pull the minks tail down as far as I can and stretch it all out. Quality is better than quantity in otherwords. I would be nervous about telling most trappers to put their front feet inside the skin. Many do not have heat and air circulation to dry fur and in some weather conditions I can envision slip spots appearing around those front legs if they don't dry properly and quickly. I understand the reasoning for packaging and it makes a very neat looking skin, but drying conditions are important, too. If Jim ever checks this post out again, it would be interesting to know if he has ever noted such a problem with mink that were shipped to them with the front legs handled that way.
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Mink???
Jan 20, 2011 7:57:04 GMT -5
Post by trappermac on Jan 20, 2011 7:57:04 GMT -5
I have never pleated my mink either, also have never had a buyer tell me I should. I agree, that if that is what your buyer wants then that's what you should do. But not needed from my own experience.
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Mink???
Jan 31, 2011 20:17:50 GMT -5
Post by ztbowtech on Jan 31, 2011 20:17:50 GMT -5
how do you pleat the tail
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Mink???
Feb 1, 2011 18:47:58 GMT -5
Post by rufus on Feb 1, 2011 18:47:58 GMT -5
I have a question about the measurement when you put the back legs on the back. Are you measuring to where the high point is between tail and back leg?
I also don't shorten the tail could never figure how to do that and get top lots at NAFA every year.
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