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Post by barnman73 on Nov 24, 2007 19:18:50 GMT -5
Spent what seemed like a great deal of time trying to prepare what I have caught to be ready for sale.
What I am wondering is what is the most COMMON type of defect in the fur (preparation only) that causes a deduction at sale?
I am putting all of mine 'up' and not feeling too confident about it.
I am not much for wasting fur, especially since it has taken so much work to get them in the shed (First season and all). Not complaining, some of the best things I have learned to do in this world take work.
Just needing to get feedback.
ANY help here would be appreciated.
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Post by Sunshine on Nov 24, 2007 19:26:56 GMT -5
probably nicks and cuts in the hide when your preparing the fur,,there will be some rubs that will deduct possibly but as far as what you do, nicks and cuts are it.make sure ya get all the fat off the hides too.
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Post by barnman73 on Nov 24, 2007 19:32:42 GMT -5
Is a rub where the fleshing blade makes the hair fall out without cutting the hide? I wondered what you called it for sure, I can tell you the last 24 hours I have called a couple of other names!
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Post by Sunshine on Nov 24, 2007 19:36:32 GMT -5
yes it can be and it can aslo be where they have been rubbig against something when they go out of a whole or something if theres something its rubbing its fur agaunst repeatedly.
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Post by barnman73 on Nov 24, 2007 19:39:51 GMT -5
This is my first one on a stretcher. I am having a real problem with the MEAT from the nose to the front legs. I used a two handled fleshing blade, a 'cup' flesher (2 sizes), a hatchet, a pocket knife and a spoon. Does the face play into the overall value of the fur?
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iafftrapper
Coon Stacker
"Mr. Two Step"
"Dances with Skunks"
Posts: 691
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Post by iafftrapper on Nov 24, 2007 19:44:18 GMT -5
might just be me, but the hide doesn't look perfectly center on that stretcher.
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Post by BlueRidgeTrapper on Nov 24, 2007 20:13:38 GMT -5
Yep...take this as "uneducated advice" but you may want to straighten him out a hair...but you better listen to the experienced trappers before me...I'm new myself
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Post by spade on Nov 24, 2007 20:33:22 GMT -5
barnman73:
Looking at your fur, I can't tell if it is off centered or your leg hole are cut back to much.
When you skin, I like to let the skin on to the first joint, then after getting it on the stretcher cut it back about an inch or so.
When your fleshing, make sure you get the meat and fat from around the legs. On the face concentrate on getting the meat off, you may have to shave it off with your fleshing knife or your skinning knife, what your concerned about is removing enough so it won't taint, and spoil the hide.
When pulling down your fur on the stretcher, one thing that helped me was to make 7 and 1/2 inches on my table, and then put the stretcher on the marks and then pull down, to where the hide is just meeting each mark.
I can't tell wether you split the tail or not but it also looks like your back hook it way to high on the fur, by placing your back hook about midway of the tail it will keep the tail open so it won't taint. I also use clothes pins or large paper clips to keep the tail open.
Look at the top of the stretcher in your pic, on the right hand side of the streatcher, if that it the eye hole, it should be around front. If you center the eye holes on the stretcher, the legs should pretty much be centered on the other side.
Hope this helps you.
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Post by pinchedfingers on Nov 25, 2007 22:45:49 GMT -5
I am a shipper for fir harvesters. center the fur and do not cut the inspection window as wide and do not cut the front legs so short. like said pin tail flat.
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Post by Earl8656 on Nov 25, 2007 22:49:20 GMT -5
also, don't worry too much about the membrane from the nose to the legs, just get the most of it off, u have gotten some good advice here.
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Post by pinchedfingers on Nov 25, 2007 23:15:02 GMT -5
also if you can get the cartlidge out of the ears it will help. if you need instuctions pm me and i will send them to you. if you have any questions coll 434 981 8168.
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Post by barnman73 on Nov 28, 2007 17:46:15 GMT -5
Thanks to all that posted, I will keep after it. I really want to learn to do a good job and not waste the fur.
Thanks again to all.
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Post by spade on Nov 29, 2007 17:39:35 GMT -5
Barnman73:
One thing I forgot to tell you, go to Fur Harversters Auction.com, and you can get a very nice book from them for free, It is called Pelt Handling for Profit. It has all of the information your looking for. It has tips on skinning and stretching any pelt you'll ever catch in your area, or any where else.
The kids I mentor, I always give them out to them on there first season.
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Post by huckleberry on Nov 29, 2007 19:14:23 GMT -5
Barn man.......one way or the other I will make it over there Sunday if that is ok with you. Or I will see if Mike can show ya some tips one evening himself. I know he won't mind and he is really good at puttin up fur. (He is a buyer too) Send me your # again..I am sure I have it but where is another story. LOL
Call me anytime.............
One thing to answer here though.....don't get carried away with the fleshin knife.....if ya are goin so far that the hair roots are showin...ya are goin to far.....ya can leave a little grease on the leather...it will be fine.....there are other ways to get it off as the hide dries.
Also from the ears to the nose....dont' worry about it much at all....just get any "meat" off.....the rest can be left. The ears will dry ok if ya cut them off the skull right. The head area of a coon is worthless to most fur buyers. A well put up fur with a good lookin head does however show a buyer ya know what your doin and that ya care......
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