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Post by raymar on Dec 1, 2015 22:11:59 GMT -5
 I caught my first of the year on the new set I put in. It was on a pee set that I had started a few weeks ago by placing a large rock in a entry to a field. I placed a little gland lure under base of rock a both some fox and coyote pee on it and a trap 9 inches in front. I caught one of the pale males I had seen several times in bow season. It was my first on a pee set and first I have tried. I also tried my fleshing beam out tonight by doing one solo from start to finish. I still need to wash the fur a little and stretch. I have a lot to learn but did ok I think. I definitely skin them well but fleshing is another story. We will see though. Fur was not prime but pretty decent. |
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Post by raymar on Dec 2, 2015 20:57:17 GMT -5
 First put ups. I still need to flip coyote. Little rough around edges on muskrat but only second I have ever skinned. May only be worth a buck total but it reminds me of my grandfather talking about trapping. I wish he was here to critique but I am using his muskrat stretcher and remembering him. |
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Post by bullseye69 on Dec 2, 2015 22:11:43 GMT -5
Rat looks good.
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Post by esshup on Dec 3, 2015 10:15:17 GMT -5
Rat looks good, but a few tips to maybe increase it's price a bit. I can't comment on the 'yote because I've never trapped any. I can't tell you how many 'rats I've skinned and stretched...................
Try and make sure that it's centered on the stretcher. By the looks of it in the picture, it's twisted a bit to the left. See how the blue place on it's back isn't centered? I'll bet that if you take a close look, the ears will probably be closer to one side of the stretcher than the other. Go and buy some clothes pins with the spring in them. Take the outside corners of the skin where it's touching the wire and pull it further to the base of the stretcher, and hold it in place with a clothes pin on each side.
I made a bunch of wooden stretchers and used aluminum push pins to hold the skin in place.
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Post by raymar on Dec 3, 2015 11:40:39 GMT -5
I will try that. I do have nose clipped but I forgot to clip sides. I also couldn't find clothespins so it is a clip from my desk drawer
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Post by raymar on Dec 3, 2015 13:09:02 GMT -5
I caught another muskrat last night and just put it up. Much easier in daylight and much better job putting up.
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Post by esshup on Dec 3, 2015 22:33:40 GMT -5
They get a LOT easier the more you do. I don't know if its right or wrong, but when I was trapping I used a single edge razor blade as a knife. When it got dull, I tossed it and peeled the paper from another. I'd buy them in 100 packs. Use the dull one to cut thru the tendons on the front feet. Now you could use kitchen shears once the skin is cut around them.
IIRC I was skinning a 'rat in under a minute back then, but like I said, practice made perfect. And I had a LOT of practice!
As the season progresses, and the weather gets colder, the blue on their back will get smaller and smaller in size.
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