Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?

[th3rug25]

Been trapping a grand total of 15 days so far in my first season (thanks again for the advice in my first post).

I would like to freeze the catches and process all at once at the end of the season, but would like to learn more about the pros and cons associated with that.

If freezing, what do you need to be mindful of? (so far have caught mink and muskrat).
Do the animals need to be completely dry prior to freezing?
Do I need to do anything special before freezing them for about a month?

When thawing them back out to skin, what should I keep in mind?
How long should I have them out of the freezer prior to skinning?

Thanks very much.

JS

[JakeLand]

Definitely fully dry before freezing
Double wrap in plastic so the ears and nose don’t get dried out when freezing a critter
Hang by back foot to thaw with fan on out of direct sunlight
Temp depends on thaw time especially for rats and mink as they are thin skinned
Fleshing is a little harder IMO but it’s all good just more time sensative

[Norman89]

Yes make sure you hang by the back foot, this allows the guts if they thaw to set up inside the chest cavity, preventing green belly if you don't get to them quick enough

[th3rug25]

Thanks for the notes on both freezing process and thawing.

Will make sure to hang as you say. That makes a lot of sense with the guts consolidation.