Thanks for posting this. I am looking at using hoops. How did you get the hoop to be oval? They look round when new. Do you just bend them or do you use the hoop stretcher they sell?
I'm just a TH-cam Monday morning quarterback.... I didn't know specifically how this was done until I watched this excellent video.... but I will offer this advice: Put a lazy susan bearing under the center of your table and just spin it to get to the opposite sides when you are hammering the rings. Also, I'll bet it will dry better and cost less to just hang it on a ceiling fan and let it "spin dry" And one more thing... a longer wan for your pressure washer would keep you dryer. And the last thing... I read somewhere that American Indians used the big red desert ants to strip the meat off a hide.... but I suspect they would devour the hide itself when the meat was gone. I bet you have lots of fire ants where do the washing.
I did finally upgrade and put casters on my table, that makes life easier. Longer wand is definitely a good idea! Surprisingly ants aren't terrible where I flesh, I've got no good explanation for that because you would think they would be. Who knows. Thanks for watching!
I am looking to purchase a beaver hide and the site lists the fur has shrunk 15-20% and should be stretched upon arrival. Is that the same stretching process shown?
if i could just add a wee bit to your excellent tutorial, i find it helps a lot to groom the hair in opposite direction of the natural lay after stretching. . gives it a fuller appearance when its dry which the buyers like. you did a good job.
Sorry for all the questions I ship to NAFA too, I have a hard time with beaver very time consuming animal. If you dont mind me asking what state are you trapping in? Have you sold many beaver in the past year?
Beavers are very time consuming, they seem to take forever to do everything, skin, flesh, board, dry, but I do like catching them. I trap in Arkansas. Sold 43 last year, haven't got after them much this year though.
howtotrapbeavers.com Thanks, I understand they where not paying for them. The last year you shipped what did you average? I have had a 13-32$ average depending on where market is at and what I skinned. I only cherry pick them now. And still get poor money, we have a western beaver, with lots of damage in them.
How many top lots have you gotten? Nafa and fur harvesters gives specific patterns and how they want beavers done, not just a random oval shape. I also have no idea how a pressure washer does a 100% job as theirs 5 different types of leather on a beaver and pulling all the fat off the edges and what not. A beam and a knife gives a clean job 100% all the time.
I've gotten 2 top lots, not for beavers though. There are alot of people that use hoops for beavers. They take up alot less space than having a bunch of boards, and you still get a uniform oval shape when you are finished. I don't know about the 5 types of leather, but a pressure washer will get all of the fat off. To each his own, it just depends on what ones preference is
Mike Lattimer You may have to trim some fat, especially around leg holes or the edges but it will be minimal. Then after you flesh put on a board or hoop to dry. I ship all of my fur to NAFA, North American Fur Auctions in Canada. Typically there are local fur buyers or your state trappers association may host an auction. Local buyers many times will buy "green" skins, which is frozen hides, not fleshed or dried. This is easier on the trapper, but you will realize the most money for your furs drying them and sending the to one of the big auction houses.
Thanks for posting this. I am looking at using hoops. How did you get the hoop to be oval? They look round when new. Do you just bend them or do you use the hoop stretcher they sell?
This guy has such a southern accent, another great video, I learned allot
Glad the videos are helpful, and thanks for the compliment! Good luck out there
That was a gorgeous hide. We don't get colors that light here in Michigan very often, mostly they are a lot darker. Great video
Thanks, we get some dark ones down here but most of them are lighter. Funny how it varies by region
I've picked up a lot from you all ready, I can't wait to get going this trapping season..Yee yee!
+BigSwampy Good luck!
I'm just a TH-cam Monday morning quarterback.... I didn't know specifically how this was done until I watched this excellent video.... but I will offer this advice: Put a lazy susan bearing under the center of your table and just spin it to get to the opposite sides when you are hammering the rings. Also, I'll bet it will dry better and cost less to just hang it on a ceiling fan and let it "spin dry"
And one more thing... a longer wan for your pressure washer would keep you dryer.
And the last thing... I read somewhere that American Indians used the big red desert ants to strip the meat off a hide.... but I suspect they would devour the hide itself when the meat was gone. I bet you have lots of fire ants where do the washing.
I did finally upgrade and put casters on my table, that makes life easier. Longer wand is definitely a good idea! Surprisingly ants aren't terrible where I flesh, I've got no good explanation for that because you would think they would be. Who knows. Thanks for watching!
I am looking to purchase a beaver hide and the site lists the fur has shrunk 15-20% and should be stretched upon arrival. Is that the same stretching process shown?
if i could just add a wee bit to your excellent tutorial, i find it helps a lot to groom the hair in opposite direction of the natural lay after stretching. . gives it a fuller appearance when its dry which the buyers like. you did a good job.
That's a good tip. Anything you can do to improve the appearance doesn't hurt! Thanks
Nice tip about that staple gun and the cardboarb.
Sorry for all the questions
I ship to NAFA too, I have a hard time with beaver very time consuming animal.
If you dont mind me asking what state are you trapping in? Have you sold many beaver in the past year?
Beavers are very time consuming, they seem to take forever to do everything, skin, flesh, board, dry, but I do like catching them. I trap in Arkansas. Sold 43 last year, haven't got after them much this year though.
howtotrapbeavers.com Thanks, I understand they where not paying for them.
The last year you shipped what did you average? I have had a 13-32$ average depending on where market is at and what I skinned. I only cherry pick them now. And still get poor money, we have a western beaver, with lots of damage in them.
Mike Lattimer I averaged just over $20. Many of the beavers I caught had damage as well although I did have some big ones.We do have eastern beaver
How many top lots have you gotten? Nafa and fur harvesters gives specific patterns and how they want beavers done, not just a random oval shape. I also have no idea how a pressure washer does a 100% job as theirs 5 different types of leather on a beaver and pulling all the fat off the edges and what not. A beam and a knife gives a clean job 100% all the time.
I've gotten 2 top lots, not for beavers though. There are alot of people that use hoops for beavers. They take up alot less space than having a bunch of boards, and you still get a uniform oval shape when you are finished. I don't know about the 5 types of leather, but a pressure washer will get all of the fat off. To each his own, it just depends on what ones preference is
when you pressure wash how much PSI? and is the water hot or cold?
I use a 3000 PSI pressure washer, although I think 2500 would work fine, maybe even 2000, and just use cold water
howtotrapbeavers.com
do you have to touch them up with anything or just dry the skin after fleshing then board?
How are you marketing your fur?
Mike Lattimer You may have to trim some fat, especially around leg holes or the edges but it will be minimal. Then after you flesh put on a board or hoop to dry. I ship all of my fur to NAFA, North American Fur Auctions in Canada. Typically there are local fur buyers or your state trappers association may host an auction. Local buyers many times will buy "green" skins, which is frozen hides, not fleshed or dried. This is easier on the trapper, but you will realize the most money for your furs drying them and sending the to one of the big auction houses.