Storing Unstretched Furs

[Smossy]

I already sent out a few pms but I don't have too long to wait..

I just skinned out two raccoons and realized I have nothing to flesh or stretch them on, alternatives are really irrelevant right now, All I want to know is how or if I can properly store these furs without being able to flesh them out or stretch them, I'm in the process of ordering what I need so I just need to buy me some time...
Any help is appreciated.

[Ballance1]

Freeze them

[Smossy]

Freeze them

How.... Rolled up? Layed flat? Fur in? Fur out?

[trapperguy22]

fur out rolled up put in a paper bag. works for me when i don't have time to put them up.

[Smossy]

fur out rolled up put in a paper bag. works for me when i don't have time to put them up.

I got tired of waiting lol, layed out flat, folded once fur out so no hide is exposed, vacuum sealed.

[JODakota]

Hopefully their not to compressed as to damage guard hairs. Hopefully their not to blue. Coons here are just starting to prime and its a lot colder here lol. Good luck.

[Smossy]

Hopefully their not to compressed as to damage guard hairs. Hopefully their not to blue. Coons here are just starting to prime and its a lot colder here lol. Good luck.

Not sure what anyone means by the whole blue/green stuff. Guard hairs meaning the longer hairs that outstretch the inner coat?

[JODakota]

You'll find out if it's blue after its fleshed and stretched and dried. If the leather turns black then it's blue and unprime. Green means unfleshed, just skinned. And yes to the guard hairs.

[JODakota]

Also note, that most fur buyers like to have an inspection window for raccoon as it is stretched and dried fur in.

[Blacktail Sniper]

The color of the skin, if it is blue dark color when you skin the critter out, it is not considered "prime" or at its best. 

Prime skins are found later in the season, usually after the weather has cooled off (ie. winter vs fall), and are more of a uniformed tan or white/cream color. 

Think of a shorthaired coyote in the summer vs long, heavy furred winter dogs...big difference in desirability and value.

[Smossy]

Also note, that most fur buyers like to have an inspection window for raccoon as it is stretched and dried fur in.

Yeah I'm aware of the inspection window on the belly but I don't cut that until I've got it fleshed and on the
stretcher ready to hang. Not sure if that's the correct method but that's what I've done.

So after the fur dries and doesn't turn black? It just appears as what a typical brown hide? Never heard of that, this is only my second year trapping. First raccoons though.

[Smossy]

The color of the skin, if it is blue dark color when you skin the critter out, it is not considered "prime" or at its best. 

Prime skins are found later in the season, usually after the weather has cooled off (ie. winter vs fall), and are more of a uniformed tan or white/cream color. 

Think of a shorthaired coyote in the summer vs long, heavy furred winter dogs...big difference in desirability and value.

Is that after drying or directly after skinning? I didn't notice anything when I skinned them, just a pure white fatty creamy color.

[Humptulips]

The way you did it they will be just fine.
Early furs that are caught like in Oct will be almost black when dried. As they start to prime they gradually lighten up. What causes the color is that you are seeing the roots of the hairs. When they are fully prime starting soon the hide will be white when dried. Before they reach that fully white they will go from a blue look to a slate color.
I skinned one at the trappers class yesterday caught last week that was slate colored. That is a good pelt. They don't have to be fully prime to be a good grade.
As the season progresses the fur gradually wears out so sometimes a pure white hide can be poorer the a hide caught a little early with a slate tinge to it.

[Smossy]

The way you did it they will be just fine.
Early furs that are caught like in Oct will be almost black when dried. As they start to prime they gradually lighten up. What causes the color is that you are seeing the roots of the hairs. When they are fully prime starting soon the hide will be white when dried. Before they reach that fully white they will go from a blue look to a slate color.
I skinned one at the trappers class yesterday caught last week that was slate colored. That is a good pelt. They don't have to be fully prime to be a good grade.
As the season progresses the fur gradually wears out so sometimes a pure white hide can be poorer the a hide caught a little early with a slate tinge to it.

Ok thanks Bruce, I almost wish we could do the class again and check out your skinning techniques we had to leave early last year and I felt like we missed alot of useful information.