Question about getting them ready to sell

[scott]

My buddy has been handling all the skinning so far this year.  I have some questions.  He is skinning out the animal then somewhat fleshing them, put them on stretcher and hang them inside out for about 2 days then right side in for 2 days, then they are then put on a hanger and hung in a shed. 

Are we going to take a huge deduction for anything.  Can we skin and freeze them and not flesh them? 

[Leglifter]

Might as well complete the fleshing process, especially coon
Also coon are sold with the fur side in
Fox are sold fur side out.

You can freeze them for now and flesh and put up later
As far as deductions..... it could be anything, I'd have to see the finished item to tell

[uncle buck]

Scott doesn't take much fleshing for fox...You might be done already... Kind of do just what your doing now and you will be OK with the fox...Now coon they take more fleshing. Leglifter is correct....Coon should be left skin side out on the strecher...

[Hern]

Scott, can you post some pictures? We can tell ya what we think. OK?

On Fox...When I turn fur side out, I like to comb fur upward towards head. This makes the fur stand up and as the hide finishes drying these hair stay in place and makes a nice looking pelt.

I also 'tumble' Fox, Coyote & Raccoon.

[scott]

i will take some pictures this weekend. 

[CoyoteJeff]

Hern what kind of set up do you have for tumbling them ?  And do you do it when the dry or wet ?

I wash my fox and coyote good after I skin them before putting on a board in a tub what way do you fill is better ?

[Leglifter]

I've heard of guys using an old dryer with the heating element disconnected.
And using saw dust as a media in the drum

[CoyoteJeff]

When do you do it after there dry or when wet ?

[Leglifter]

Don't know
Maybe Hern will chime in

[Hern]

I took the heating element out of a dryer. While back of dryer was off I duct taped holes in drum. Duct taped lint catch (in front) and ready to roll.

-I use corse, corn cob grit. (Fine corn cob grit is too fine and clings to everything) A coffee can or two is all the grit you need to tumble 2 or 3 Fox or Coon hides at a time. 10-15 min. in the tumbler is all thats needed. I do add a few dryer sheets for shine but this step isn't needed. Just a person thing. The grit gets the dirt out and shines and softens fur. You will get a feel when the corn cob grit is dirty and needs replaced.
I try to dry wet Coon/Canines before tumling but have dry them in tumbler, fur side out, it just takes more time in the tumbler.
-I comb fur free of burrs, dirt and sticktights. I skun. I flesh. Then I tumble.
-Coon are tumbled fur in. This really removes the excess grease
-Fox, Coyote are tumbled fur out
-Shake and brush off grit and put fur on board.
don't worry about a few leftover corn cob grit on your hide, buyer will notice this and know you are taking proper care of fur
While tumbler is working other skun'n or chores are done around the shed. No time lost.

I use to wash my fur after skun' in 5 gal. bucket with  dish detergent
twirled hide around outside snapped it and twirled some more to get excess water off and hit with fans overnight and put up the next day. Always had good results with wash'n fur but it takes time and it's cold outside on these ole hands.

[Hern]

I might add, I usually skun Coon then freeze (sometimes flesh then freeze) and put up Coon later in season when things slow down.
When I get behind or have alot to do, I invite a couple of guys over for  put'n up Coon and we do up Coon and grill some Crappie or Walleye or Deer and have a few drinks while put'n up fur. At times, word gets out and there has been up to 9 guys eat'n and drink'n in the shed and only 2 or 3 of us work'n...LOL...I enjoy these times of storytell'n, joke'n and cigar smoke'n. Makes the work enjoyable.

[Leglifter]

Count me in on the next put'n up party

[Renny]

Who catches the fish?