How To Skin.an Animal To Put On A Stretcher

After fleshing is completed, the pelt is ready to be stretched and dried.

• Stretchers tin be wire frames or wooden boards.
  • Wire stretchers are most commonly used today. They are relatively inexpensive.
  • Some trappers prefer to brand their own wooden stretchers. Many commercial trapping books explain how this is done.
• Stretchers come in various shapes and sizes. Choose ane that fits the size and shape of your pelt.

Follow these steps to stretch your pelts.

• Pull the pelt taut over the stretcher. For some animals, such as fox, coyote, or bobcat, place the pelt on the stretcher with the fur side in for a couple of days. Then turn the fur side out and put it dorsum on the stretcher. For other furbearers, place on the stretcher with the fur side out.
  • Go along in mind that pelts are not actually being "stretched" at this bespeak. They are simply being held taut to prevent shriveling or shrinking as they dry.
  • Do non overstretch the pelt. Overstretching thins the fur and stretches the pelt out of shape. If you endeavor to stretch a muskrat pelt too far, the belly will tear and destroy the value of the pelt.
• Exist sure the pelt is centered over the stretcher.
  • The forelegs and belly should exist on one side of the stretcher.
  • The eyeholes, ears, and dorsum should exist on the other side.
• Secure the pelt in place on the stretcher.
  • Use pins or tacks on a wooden board.
  • Use the arms of the stretcher if using a wire frame.

After being pulled over a stretcher, pelts must be hung upwards to dry.

• Make sure the drying expanse is well-ventilated and cool (55° to lx° Fahrenheit).
  • Never place pelts in a hot room or about a furnace. Overheating volition cause them to shrivel and spoil.
  • Use a fan to increase air apportionment and decrease drying time.
• Leave about an inch of air space between pelts hung next to each other.
• Never hang pelts confronting a wall. Stretch a length of wire betwixt two beams, and hang your fur on the wire.
• Keep your pelts out of reach of mice and dogs.
• Get out pelts hanging on stretchers until the hide is completely dry and hard. This could accept a few days to a week.

After removing them from stretchers, leave about pelts with the fur side in. Ask your buyer whether he or she wants to see pelts "fur in" or "fur out."

Freezing

Instead of stretching pelts, yous tin can quick-freeze them.

• Exercise this carefully. Otherwise, the pelts may be ruined.
• Always freeze pelts flat and with the fur side out. No flesh should be exposed.
  • Never gyre furs. Proceed them flat.
  • Never freeze or thaw furs in plastic.
• When you are prepare to sell your fur, thaw animals with heavy flesh (coyote, raccoon, and beaver) for five to vi hours in a absurd room. Never let pelts to thaw plenty that the grease melts or the skin gets slimy. Keep muskrat pelts frozen.
• Pocket-size furbearers (muskrat and mink) can exist frozen whole (without skinning). Allow to thaw partially earlier selling. For muskrats, only the feet need to be thawed.

Your fur heir-apparent may have specific instructions for freezing pelts or whole animals. Bank check alee of fourth dimension.

Source: https://www.hunter-ed.com/nationaltrapper/studyGuide/Stretching-or-Freezing/221099_87963/

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