new to the trapping world

[greenhead_killer]

Had this happen the other day too in one of the bigger swim throughs. This rat got caught and had 3/4 of his body out of the trap but got his hips stuck. Makes me wonder if a few of my misfire traps were hit by rats that got out.

 Yep, small rats can get out, also mink. I tried to get some 1 3/4"x 1 3/4" mesh but the cost is too much.

Hey measure those tails! There's a contest you know. Don't let Carp Commander skate with that trap so easy.

I haven’t had any over 6 1/2” yet so still looking for one to beat carps

[greenhead_killer]

42#er from today.

[Machias]

Awesome!!

[redi]

Nice one

[greenhead_killer]

One more from today. 59.2#. Almost broke the 60# mark I’ve been shooting for.

[Machias]

Nice big one!!  Fur looks great!  Are you doing anything with the tails?

[greenhead_killer]

The last two I’ve gotten I feel like the fur is really nice. On the tails, I’ve given a few away. Some buddies have wanted to try it. With the rest, I’m not sure yet, gonna look into how to tan and whatnot.

[Machias]

They make really nice leather!  Very easy to prepare.  I did send off mine to have tanned.  $6.50 per side, but they turned out really nice and you can get all kinds of different colors.

[greenhead_killer]

That’s what I was thinking about doing. That’s pretty sweet. I’ll youtube how to skin them out. Thanks

[Machias]

I slit them up both sides, careful at the ends, it gets very thin.  Then I skinned out about an inch along the base to expose the tailbone where you cut it off from the body.  Then I put the tail bone in a vice.  I grabbed the skin with a pair of vice grips and just pulled them off.  One side will always have more fat left on than the other.  Then just flesh them carefully.  Then I tacked them down and covered them in salt until they were dried and then shipped them off.  The tanned leather is SUPER nice.

[Born2late]

Fred, who tanned  the tails for you and what was the cost if you don't mind sharing.

[Machias]

$6.50 per side and it was Specialty Tanning in Iowa:  http://specialtyleather.com/hides/

[Born2late]

thanks, I'm going to have to do that those look nice!

[greenhead_killer]

Thanks for the info Fred! I will def do this with the left over tails I have.

[Machias]

No problem, they make some really nice leather for all kinds of fun projects!