Hunting Washington Forum
Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Norman89 on January 02, 2017, 11:47:08 AM
-
Its a good year so far! Didn't have time the first two months of the season besides traps in the back yard producing possum like crazy! Set five beaver traps and 12 muskrat traps new years day and she is turning out some fur!
-
Little early season sign
-
.
-
First beaver ever! And a bonus rat!
-
Good job, keep it up!
-
Todays final count!
-
That first picture is awesome! How many cages are in that boat? Do you have any room left to sit? :)
Nice catch!
-
Ten foot boat with 5 beaver trapsand 16 colony traps plus me boat seat trolling motor battery and back pack full of gear haha its a tight squeeze for sure!
-
Awesome
-
Nice job !!!
-
Weighed in at 24 lbs first time working with beaver didn't poke any holes in the hide accidentally split the Castor sack pulling it though :bash: now im hooked need to catch more so I can work on my techniques wasn't a hole lot of meat on him I just boned out the hind quarters to make burger with need to make up a board to stretch after I flesh it tomorrow should be fun in don't yet own a fleshing knife
-
Looks like your having a good time :tup:
-
Nice! Now your hooked! :tup:
-
Having a blast! Was really starting to wonder if the beavers were smarter then me! It helps I have two good buddies local to me that trap with me my partner caught his second beaver ever today waiting to hear what it weighs but it took its a brute here is a pic of his
-
What a great day god made today! Mile hike in to the lake in and out with 2 inches of ice not enough to walk on but to thick for the boat but the trap check was worth it! Had three beaver traps sprung and two were empty the third held this beast! 53lbs! I couldnt believe it just blew me away! Destroyed the trigger in my 12x12 trap but so worth it! Also picked up three more rats!
-
.
-
.
-
Right on !
-
Nice! Did you have a pack to put that beaver in? I can't imagine packing one of those a mile back to the truck. They are no fun to carry even 100 yards!
-
Destroyed the trigger in my 12x12 trap but so worth it!
:chuckle: that's the attitude !!
Nice job man :tup:
-
No pack we had to go thrust thick brush and multiple creeks to get to the lake I ended up carrying him over my shoulder with 550 chord. Thankfully I had my back pack and a carhart coat so it didn't cut into me on the pack out but that extra 53 lbs caused me to go through the ice on one creek that i crossed on the way in :chuckle:
-
Congrats bud. Those long pack outs are fun with big beavers
-
Specially in the dark after work in 10° weather! Was so cold as soon as I pulled a trap above the water it would start freezing. Had to keep dipping the traps in the water to keep the ice off so I could set it and get it back in. First time in my life my beard has froze solid. On the walk out the beaver turned to an ice cube. And all I could thing was "hmmm so this is what its like to live in Alaska?" :chuckle:
-
Need to get a pack board if you're going to hike in like that. My one way hike is just shy of a mile. Been using a pack frame to carry cages/beaver. It's still work but it's not bad. Can't imagine doing it with a loop of parachute cord.
-
I'll save this using parachute cord wasn't very much fun I haven't sweated that bad since high school football practice iPad board would be great but the lake going out so I could use my boat and just motor up to my traps would be pretty handy too :tup: but according to the weather report that may still be another four or five days in my area
-
Pack frame is deffenitly much easier. No boating to my area till end of February or latter. -5 this morning.
-
Muskrat traps were all froze in badly but the beaver traps continue to produce! 21lbs today my third ever loving this! Starting to actually feel like a trapper now!
-
:tup: Looks cold over there. Congrats
-
Thanks Danny ya it has been in the teens last five days and lake has 4-5 inches of ice on it we actually got to walk across the lake for the first time was pretty cool!
-
I bet your getting pretty good a skinning beaver !! :tup:
-
Getting better slowly. Came decide if I like skinning from the lip to tail or tail to lip. I struggle around the neck under the cheeks I end up with a chunk of meat on the hide some how and i also have a hard time coming around the back I can keep the hide real clean on the belly but coming up the side to the back I end up with a layer of meat on the hide. Hopefully building my fleshing beam tomorrow from 10" PVC got my boards made up so this weekend will be fleshing and stretching hopefully!
-
Congrats 👍🏻
-
Thanks Jason!
-
Hmmmmm never tought of using a pvc for a fleshing beam. I should call my pipe fitter buddy. I know he can get me some good heavy stuff from the job site. I need to make mink, spotted skunk, and otter size beams
-
Hmmmmm never tought of using a pvc for a fleshing beam. I should call my pipe fitter buddy. I know he can get me some good heavy stuff from the job site. I need to make mink, spotted skunk, and otter size beams
i just use the mink board to flesh mink and rats
-
Hmmmmm never tought of using a pvc for a fleshing beam. I should call my pipe fitter buddy. I know he can get me some good heavy stuff from the job site. I need to make mink, spotted skunk, and otter size beams
i just use the mink board to flesh mink and rats
:tup: I will try that. Thanks
-
I have been fleshing muskrats on the board they are easy to do but I can't believe the amount of fat on these beaver I didn't expect it but at the moment they are living under 6" of ice so I guess they have to stay warm somehow. Today's check was a zero and the house has only a small feed pile ( this lake rarely freezes so I think they don't make a huge feed pile cause its usually open water) so they are swimming almost 300 yards to the creek where there is open water to feed. We found six holes in the ice today where they have been coming up and feeding. Wood chips all around each hole so moved traps around to see if we can connect with one more off this house before we pull out and move to the next spot
-
:tup: nice hope you bag more. All my traps ars still open. I have noticed it was very slow around here frozen over. But right after it thaws the traps get fulled. Hmmmmm crazy
-
I hope so! Been two days without a muskrat im itching to skin something!
-
I hope so! Been two days without a muskrat im itching to skin something!
me to. It has been a week and nothing out of 20 traps. :bash:
-
I hope so! Been two days without a muskrat im itching to skin something!
me to. It has been a week and nothing out of 20 traps. :bash:
i feel your pain! This cold snap seems to have just about everything holed up. Tomorrow is going to be much warmer than -18* yesterday and 3* this morning.
-
I hope so! Been two days without a muskrat im itching to skin something!
me to. It has been a week and nothing out of 20 traps. :bash:
i feel your pain! This cold snap seems to have just about everything holed up. Tomorrow is going to be much warmer than -18* yesterday and 3* this morning.
Yeah I hope it rains and warms up around here. It was 20 yesturday and 28 today.
-
Started raining this morning! Hope the actions picks up now hopefully today's check has something in it! Did Christmas with my mom and step dad last night. My stepdad is from Alaska and used to trap when he was a boy and he has been supporting and helping me. He knew I still needed a good fleshing knife so he gave me a 100$ gift card to amazon to get one. Since post are not sold there I went with a 12" weibe and see how I like it and I have enough left over to get another if I need to. Also used that to get a new magneto for my boat motor so boat is fixed and I'm ready to flesh I would call that an awesome Christmas present from one generation of trapper to another!
-
I love my 12" weibe.
-
The weather change paid off! Let my trapping partner set one trap at a opening in the ice he found surrounded by wood chips yesterday and one night sock he got his first beaver! 41lbs big male congrats to my partner Eric on his first!
-
.
-
Nothing like your first. Congrats to him
-
Awesome! Glad to hear all the newbies having a productive first year! :tup:
-
Haha this is actually mine and has second year but first year was a muskrat year for both of us nothing else Haha we are setting our goals high though: 10 beaver and 30 rats
-
The weather change paid off! Let my trapping partner set one trap at a opening in the ice he found surrounded by wood chips yesterday and one night sock he got his first beaver! 41lbs big male congrats to my partner Eric on his first!
:tup:
-
:tup:
-
:drool: fur in the trap is alway good. :tup:
-
Snowed a good 6" last night bossman called for a late start so I had time to go check traps this morning but I never made it :bash: lucky I have a nice boss who brought out 100,000$ in equipment to pull my 500$ trapping truck out!
-
Glad you are ok
-
:yeah:
-
Came to the top of the hill stopped for traffic and truck decided it it wanted to go back down the hill backwards tried to whip it around and missed the tree. Got it out and home with just a bent fender so good things its a cheap reliable trapping truck! American made steel keeps me safe!
-
Ya it's nice to have a good boss that's obviously also a friend
-
:tup: glad your ok. I found some black ice on a curve. I was lucky to drive off the road and hit dirt. I drove very slow the rest of the way. I saw 6 rigs in the ditch crashed in several ditches. I think I should pull out my chain out of the shed. The snow covered roads are hard packed ice now out in the woods. Everone please be safe trapping
-
It was a better day today! Another adult beaver 50 pounds on the dot and another bonus muskrat!
-
Happy trappers when there is fur in the truck!
-
:tup: way togo on your catch. Did the beaver almost get out?
-
Oh im sure he tried! I I think I may have had a little overkill trap size for the muskrat :chuckle: tried to make it thrust the trigger opening and if it wasn't such a big rat he may have made it out starting to wonder if that's why my traps keeping getting set off but are empty
-
Oh im sure he tried! I I think I may have had a little overkill trap size for the muskrat :chuckle: tried to make it thrust the trigger opening and if it wasn't such a big rat he may have made it out starting to wonder if that's why my traps keeping getting set off but are empty
:chuckle: nice
-
Oh im sure he tried! I I think I may have had a little overkill trap size for the muskrat :chuckle: tried to make it thrust the trigger opening and if it wasn't such a big rat he may have made it out starting to wonder if that's why my traps keeping getting set off but are empty
that could be. Every rat I've caught this year was in a swimthrew
-
The opening in top of my trap for setting the dog and trigger is 3x2 with a piece of 1/4 road separating it into 2 squares of 1x3 and this guy was very close to getting out of that opening
-
The opening in top of my trap for setting the dog and trigger is 3x2 with a piece of 1/4 road separating it into 2 squares of 1x3 and this guy was very close to getting out of that opening
get some 1x1 16ga mesh and make a door on it? My traps have a 2x2 hole for setting the dog/coni trigger with 1/4" round down the center
-
Nice job!!! Glad you weren't hurt in the slide off!!
-
Thanks Machias and Jason I like that idea of having a little trap door over the top of it
-
If the water is deep enough you could put some colony traps under the swimthrew
-
The opening in top of my trap for setting the dog and trigger is 3x2 with a piece of 1/4 road separating it into 2 squares of 1x3 and this guy was very close to getting out of that opening
get some 1x1 16ga mesh and make a door on it? My traps have a 2x2 hole for setting the dog/coni trigger with 1/4" round down the center
A small rat or a mink can squeeze out of 2" hole. Sunny slopes had a mink break out of one of his funnel traps built with chicken wire when I was with him. I think we measured the round hole as 2 1/4" across.
-
When Ted and I were first experimenting with Colony traps we were given some wire 2x2 made some trap that we NEVER caught fur in, some carp but no fur. The only reason was the fur was getting out through the wire.
-
Three of my beaver traps are made of two by two and they get set off all the time now you got me really wondering if I have muskrats going through the cage wire
-
Yes, you do.
-
Looks like all the new ones will be getting 1x2 wire and a trap door over the trigger then!
-
You can buy welded galv 1x1x14ga 100ft roll for 167.00 shipped at amozon.
-
Holy cow!!!! I payed 80$ for 14 Ga 1x2 100ft roll at mclendons down the road!
-
You can buy welded galv 1x1x14ga 100ft roll for 167.00 shipped at amozon.
how wide?
-
I bought the 36" but they have 48" for 10$ more
-
I bought the 36" but they have 48" for 10$ more
i would love to find some 1x1 14ga in 48"
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
i don't think we have one of those around here. Maybe north 40
-
I bought the 36" but they have 48" for 10$ more
i would love to find some 1x1 14ga in 48"
36" the 48" as alot more. I like the 48 to but it works fine.
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
i don't think we have one of those around here. Maybe north 40
Plus they ship it to your door. I don't like the 1x2 because the little critters get out and beaver and otter seem to break the wire alot easyer then 1x1 mesh. It cost more because it weighs more.
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
i don't think we have one of those around here. Maybe north 40
Plus they ship it to your door. I don't like the 1x2 because the little critters get out and beaver and otter seem to break the wire alot easyer then 1x1 mesh. It cost more because it weighs more.
https://www.wireclothman.com/shopping_cart.php
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
i don't think we have one of those around here. Maybe north 40
Plus they ship it to your door. I don't like the 1x2 because the little critters get out and beaver and otter seem to break the wire alot easyer then 1x1 mesh. It cost more because it weighs more.
https://www.wireclothman.com/shopping_cart.php
Yeah the price is 147.00 plus 90 plus to ship 20.00 to 30 more on that site.
-
I'm,not allowed to target otter (wife's rule >:() so im not to concerned with them. So far the beaver haven't hurt the 1x2 traps, but have destroyed the 2x2! One trap has three strands of wire ripped off and a broken trigger and is kind of u shaped now after that 53lbder had his way with it. Although I did do all my doors with 1x1 so far they hold up great but I think that is because the trap is so large the beaver can't really get a good footing to pry against it. Also my big traps only have three squares of 1/4 one as each door frame and one to hold the trigger so they are actually very flexible and so far are holding up good even to the 50+ beavers
-
I'm,not allowed to target otter (wife's rule >:() so im not to concerned with them. So far the beaver haven't hurt the 1x2 traps, but have destroyed the 2x2! One trap has three strands of wire ripped off and a broken trigger and is kind of u shaped now after that 53lbder had his way with it. Although I did do all my doors with 1x1 so far they hold up great but I think that is because the trap is so large the beaver can't really get a good footing to pry against it. Also my big traps only have three squares of 1/4 one as each door frame and one to hold the trigger so they are actually very flexible and so far are holding up good even to the 50+ beavers
I think the beaver can grip on to the wire better if it is 2". But all the beavers and otter have never messed up my 1x1x14ga. :twocents:
-
Sadly I have had more damage from mink then anything they have ripped off 1x1 and 1x2 wire doors on my colony traps. I now use a small piece of 1/8 wire in a v shape woven into the doors to keep them from bowing out. And of course this year no mink in the area for some reason :bash:
-
I sarted to build my traps out of 5/16 round stock. Just because the 1/4 swim thru traps got bent up bad by the big beaver. But now since I started using 5/16 rod they haven't bent them. But I just like heavy traps. The traps have a solid frame. Thats just me though :chuckle:
-
Sadly I have had more damage from mink then anything they have ripped off 1x1 and 1x2 wire doors on my colony traps. I now use a small piece of 1/8 wire in a v shape woven into the doors to keep them from bowing out. And of course this year no mink in the area for some reason :bash:
Dang thats messed up
-
I would like to build some heavy duty ones. I have been thinking of horse panel 2x4 colony traps like the one Clint locklear built. Just a giant colony trap just for swift water rivers. Probably only have one or two spots to put it each year for a few months at a time. Its big, bulky, heavy, but as Clint said in his video it may have a place when no other way to set is possible
-
If they don't have it they will order it for you. Mclendons has always taken care of me with whatever I need at a very reasonable price love that place!
i don't think we have one of those around here. Maybe north 40
Plus they ship it to your door. I don't like the 1x2 because the little critters get out and beaver and otter seem to break the wire alot easyer then 1x1 mesh. It cost more because it weighs more.
https://www.wireclothman.com/shopping_cart.php
Yeah the price is 147.00 plus 90 plus to ship 20.00 to 30 more on that site.
its 187.00 shipped
-
I'm,not allowed to target otter (wife's rule >:()
What? :yike: :DOH: :rolleyes:
-
Its her "spirit animal" shaking my head.....I have one spot that would be a slam dunk too.....
-
What are you going to do when you catch an otter in a beaver set?
-
Have it mounted and put on the mantel!
-
If you trap a few years you might have to get a bigger mantle. :chuckle:
-
Im ok with that! Would love a to have a full mount of a family of otters. Would probably cost a fortune though haha
-
I bought the 36" but they have 48" for 10$ more
i would love to find some 1x1 14ga in 48"
Del's feed and farm have it in stock. Closest to you would probably be Othello or Ephrata. Last roll I bought was $189.00 plus tax.
-
I used to buy at dells but the three near me were bought out last year by tractor supply and they don't carry squat for fencing
-
If you trap a few years you might have to get a bigger mantle. :chuckle:
:chuckle: :tup:
-
I seen a you tube video of a colony trap in fast moving water. The doors were made of lexan. If I remember right he caught a beaver and otter in the trap. I have lot of 3/8" x 2' x 4' and was thinking of drilling hole or cutting slots in them. To try and keep the door down. I could spring load them or use weights to hold door down. There is just some good otter creeks that run very fast.
-
Ya I saw that one too with his little rubber bass lure hanging in it haha it worked so it ain't a bad idea!
-
Ya I saw that one too with his little rubber bass lure hanging in it haha it worked so it ain't a bad idea!
yeah thats right forgot about the lure. Lol There are lots of creeks that are over 15" deep and run fast. I can set a few just off the road and no one will see them. I am on it and will try and make one in the next 2 weeks. :tup:
-
10-4 bear hunter post some pics and results! :tup:
-
10-4 bear hunter post some pics and results! :tup:
:yeah:
-
Lake ice is fading fast real rotten gonna have to break out the boat here soon so I can pull traps out. Yesterday laced a hole creek with 18 colony traps with no results to show today, but we did snag beaver # 6 today! 30lbs pretty happy now I got more back straps to eat!
-
.
-
ballin
-
Good job! You got water trapping down
-
Way to go Norman!
-
Congrats on the beaver. Bummer about the rats
-
My other two rat spots should be thawed out this week so hopefully we can get into a mess of rat skinning this next week! Thanks guys!
-
:IBCOOL: beaver down :tup: nice work love them fur
-
Well lake ice is almost gone some still holding on around the reeds. Creeks are at flood level pouring into the lake causing 4" of water on top of the ice. Had to find a new way in through the brush since the creek was impassable. But the weather got the fur moving last night! Three muskrats today, all in the same beaver run traps were about 20' apart in a line and all had a single rat in them. Pretty happy with that! Plus the new fleshing beam is working great
-
Yep the critters are on the move again. :llam: Nice catch
-
We had a first on the trapline last night very first time we've ever had a double in a single colony trap we have had many doubles side-by-side traps but never in the single trap that makes five rats in two days pretty happy here!
-
Another good day on the rat line
-
Nice congrats
-
Nice!
I wish there were more spots around here that had a decent rat population.
-
Im happy so far I broke my record of 13 from last year and in,less then a month of hard chasing these rats really hoping to get my goal of 30!
-
Im happy so far I broke my record of 13 from last year and in,less then a month of hard chasing these rats really hoping to get my goal of 30!
:tup:
-
Way to stack 'em up.
-
Getting there!
-
Nice poster :tup:
and rats
-
Broke my six day dry spell finally! Check at the lake produced 1 rat, first check at my favorite and highest producing spot of last year was a home run with my new colony trap design! She played off well and performed flawlessly! Best day of rat trapping yet by far! New record to beat is 5 in a day :llam:
-
And after skinning fleshing and stretching I am very pleased to say of the 4 rats caught in my new trap, 2 of them broke my :rockin: record for largest rat so far! Xxl :yike: now im on the hunt for that elusive xxxl :tup:
-
That's awesome. Would like to hear a little about this new design
-
8x12x30 2 inch bite bars on both sides, your style mink proof doors, 2 inch ramps on the bottom to keep it up out of the mud, and 2 inch wings on each side as a funnel guide
-
Nice! Way to go!!! Nice trap design!
-
Thanks Jimmy if the location is hot it looks like this could be a money maker design now I just need more spots wide enough to set them they fit in a beaver run very nicely!
-
Another single rat on the lake tonight no pic forgot my phone in the truck
-
8x12x30 2 inch bite bars on both sides, your style mink proof doors, 2 inch ramps on the bottom to keep it up out of the mud, and 2 inch wings on each side as a funnel guide
awesome! Hope to see it full
-
If it was 24" like my others I think the four would have made it look pretty full haha Sunday ill set my second one like this in another redhot location from last year then im really hoping for a good day catch! Maybe break my new record of five in a day or find that xxxl rat im looking for
-
What makes the doors "mink proof"?
-
I actually stole this idea from Jason, make the doors 2 inches wider then the openening and fold over 1 inch of wire on each side to brace the door. Also adds some weight to help the doors stay closed in faster water. Another way I do it is a piece of #9 wire best in a u shape and threaded through the door to brace it I did that last year
-
The other thing I do to my doors on colony traps is I clip one wire on each side of the bottom of the trap one inch in from the edges and bend them up to act as a door catch. I had to pull the door hard enough to seriously deform the trap to pull the door threw. I'd bet they would hold a kit beaver. First pic is why I started looking for a better way. Folding the door idea I think came from Bruce if I remember correctly.
-
:yeah:
-
First multi species single trap catch! New colony trap for muskrats on the second check produced a single rat and a kit beaver! Really didn't think a beaver would fit in a six inch door but I guess I was wrong :dunno:?? But I bet he will be nice and tender on the grill :tup:
-
Awesome!! I new those doors would hold a kit👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😎🍖🍗
-
Ya trap was only minorly tweaked where the two corners meet together took maybe 10 seconds to straighten it out and reset very happy with thus trap! 2 checks make 5 rats and a beaver im stoked!
-
Nice job
-
Thanks redi! I really didn't think a colony trap would hold a beaver I was just hoping to not miss another mink!
-
That's *censored*! :tup:
-
:chuckle:
That's *censored*! :tup:
-
Didn't know b@d@ss was a censored word. :dunno: :chuckle:
-
First multi species single trap catch! New colony trap for muskrats on the second check produced a single rat and a kit beaver! Really didn't think a beaver would fit in a six inch door but I guess I was wrong :dunno:?? But I bet he will be nice and tender on the grill :tup:
I Caught a Beaver in a colony trap a few years back. He had to try very hard to get in that trap. He destroyed mine.
Nice catch :tup:
-
I was surprised I held the door open and he slid right out it was like the perfect size im amazed the trap wasn't destroyed!
-
That's pretty cool. I suppose it's a good reason to have the doors a little larger...INCIDENTALS :tup:
-
Okay I got my license Built My traps built a fleshing beam caught a beaver bought a fleshing knife now I'm at a point where I have no clue what I'm doing atempting to Flesh the beaver I caught the larger ones I caught earlier this season are sitting in the freezer skinned I figure I better not try it on my first one on a nice big blanket so this kit I caught today is my first attempt at fleshing a beaver I have never had any instructions whatsoever other than what I can find on YouTube ( Coon Creek Outdoors is very helpful) I really don't know how sharp a fleshing knife should be and I struggled around the arms a bit next to the opening cut I did poke one small hole on the belly very close to an edge so I'm not worried I can probably sow it up but at this point I'm wondering if anyone has pointers for somebody who has no clue what they're doing fleshing a beaver or advice on fleshing knife technique
-
Kit beaver are pretty easy to flesh and you do not need a very sharp knife, in fact a dull was is probably better.
I start at the head go down the back, them center the beaver and flesh outward and keep turning. Put the legs over the end to flesh around the leg holes, easy peasy.
Bigger beaver another story, I clean skin mine but have fleshed a few. Almost think you need to different knives, sharp for the back and duller for the belly.
I hope others chime in because like I say, clean skinner here.
-
I tried clean skinning on the first few and did "ok " at it, nut I discovered since I plan on eating them, its easier on the butchering side if I rough skin them. That leaves FAR less trimming to do on the meat before cooking seems there isn't a happy median haha I also went with rough skinning so that I can use all the fleshings for bait but im open to trying clean skinning again if it makes fleshing easier! I know its a steep learning curve for a first timer! Looking forward to an article in the fur shed on clean skinning haha
-
The real trick to clean skinning is just experience. Back when I was about 14 I sold my fur to Fred Hjort. He bought a lot of fur in the round and had a big freezer so he was always skinning beaver it seemed long after the season had closed.
Of course I thought if I watched him close and pestered him with questions I too could clean skin a beaver in under an hour and have it look good.
I will always remember what he told me "The first 100 are the hardest". I was only catching 8 or 10 beaver a year in those days so I imagined I would be an old man before I caught on.
I don't think it takes a 100 but it does take practice.
-
I have a very sharp fleshing knife for the middle 10 inches or so. Once I get to the sides I switch fleshing knives and just push the fat off. I actually like to flesh my beaver hides after the come out of the freezer, while the flesh and fat still have some ice crystals in them. Fleshing is much easier IMO. Watch those nipples under the front legs, you'll pop a hole in the hide every time if you're not careful. The belly is very easy to tear. Then when you get down to the lower back, right above when the tail is a really sharp fleshing knife makes that so easy to shave off the thick gristle and fat. I'm not speadster but by the end of the season I usually flesh a big beaver in about 20-25 minutes. Lots of guys are WAY faster, but that is about how long it takes me. I'm a rare person, as I enjoy fleshing beaver, therapeutic!!! :)
-
I think I worked the hide maybe 30 minutes? And it looks ok I think but my fleshing knife really isn't sharp at all I felt I was pushing way to hard for the amount of cutting I was getting on the fat I think that's why I tore the belly in one spot maybe ill try to sharpen it some and see how the next one goes
-
I figure for me to semi-clean skin on average plus getting the castors out is about 20 minutes. Then I spend another 5 to 10 minutes with the fleshing knife.
I know I have done a dozen in 6 hours with some short breaks. Hard on the back!
-
I have heard how hard it is on the back that's why I built my fleshing beam real tall and I was very pleased with how it did no real back problems after working the hide cause I was standing almost straight up the whole time
-
For me the "hard on the back" came from the skinning. Skin more then 6 in a row without a break and you'll figure out why.
-
Oh I agree! By the second one I found it easier to sit at a table to to the majority of the skinning!
-
I have a very sharp fleshing knife for the middle 10 inches or so. Once I get to the sides I switch fleshing knives and just push the fat off. I actually like to flesh my beaver hides after the come out of the freezer, while the flesh and fat still have some ice crystals in them. Fleshing is much easier IMO. Watch those nipples under the front legs, you'll pop a hole in the hide every time if you're not careful. The belly is very easy to tear. Then when you get down to the lower back, right above when the tail is a really sharp fleshing knife makes that so easy to shave off the thick gristle and fat. I'm not speadster but by the end of the season I usually flesh a big beaver in about 20-25 minutes. Lots of guys are WAY faster, but that is about how long it takes me. I'm a rare person, as I enjoy fleshing beaver, therapeutic!!! :)
I'm sick also fred :chuckle: I really enjoy putting up beaver.
-
Best day on the line yet! 47 and 31lbs and a bonus rat
-
Heck ya
-
Nice job ! Who's the photo bomber
-
Hell yeah......? I love doubles
-
You really should skin those things before ya throw em in the fridge. :chuckle:
Nice Catch :tup:
-
Heck ya! :tup:
-
That's my oldest boy syllus he loves it when his dad bring home beaver he calls them "kitty's" haha I was surprised the wife let me bring them in the house for the picture I guess she is serious about getting her license and coming with me
-
Nice job
-
:tup:
That's my oldest boy syllus he loves it when his dad bring home beaver he calls them "kitty's" haha I was surprised the wife let me bring them in the house for the picture I guess she is serious about getting her license and coming with me
-
Weather is turning fast lakes are freezing again and started snowing this morning so I spent the morning making my first attempt at putting up a beaver. I followed stu on coon creek outdoors with his stapled boarding procedure on plywood stretcher. This is the kit I caught last weekend and here is the finished product. It seems a little bit tight but for my first I think it is ok. Using an arrow t50 staple gun and 9/16 staples just like stu did. Trimmed and stapled the legs closed along with eyes and ears then trimmed off nose and tail corners for a nice oval appearance. Now I don't plan on selling my beaver this year due to fur prices but also I am calling this a learning year am how to put up fur. I think i have the rats down well enough but like some of you said beaver are a whole different ball game when fleshing. I have now fleshed three and i am feeling more comfortable with my product each time. I did some work to my new weibe fleshing knife and added a back side bevel to the cutting edge so the blade does not tend to dig so hard and that helped tremendously with fleshing. I have also found it far easier as some of you said to push the fat along the belly and the last hide I did only ended up with one small hole when i hit an old scar. Next on my hope to learn list is sewing holes in hides :chuckle:
-
Staples ......... you'll only try that once. :bash:
Next try using nails.
Its better and you want to lift up the hides so the air get under the hide (airflow) to dry it. Stapling it down will not let you do this and sometime wrecks the hide.
And don't over stretch them, it is better to stretch them under size. It makes them look better and you will get a better price when you sell them too.
If they are over stretched they will call it damage and pay you less.
Congratulations on your catches
JC :hello:
-
I've always used nails so can't comment on staples. I will say I believe the idea of lifting the hide up on the nails is a waste of time. I never do that and never see problems. Think about this, When you case pelts such as otter, mink, raccoons and the like there is never any chance for air circulation on the fur side and they turn out fine.
I will say you should have the fur dry before stretching beaver or any other pelt. That said I have put pelts on the board when the fur was damp. The main problem with that is not spoilage. It causes the fur to mat and is difficult brush out after dry. Much easier to present a nice fur if the fur is dry before putting it on the board.
Just skinned out a wet beaver and it is ready to go on the board? Tack it on fur out with 6 or 8 nails and put it in front of the fan to dry the fur out. Just takes a short time.
On to the much discussed topic of over stretching. What is it? On beaver if you can get a nice oval stretch with no dishing in of the pelt it is fine. Often times you will see beaver that are "fishtailed" This is when the pelt is dished in on either side of the tail. The trapper was unable to pull the pelt out in this area because the tender hide in this area would tear. You can honestly say this was overstretched.
On the other hand I have heard people say you should have slack you can pick up in the middle of the hide when stretched. The only reason to do this is if you do not like money. You are cutting your own throat if you lose a size.
I listened to Greg Shroder doing fur handling demos for NAFA. He said grading on fur quality has more to do with length rather then thickness. If you have ever looked at a beaver that has been over stretched as opposed to one under stretched you would find it hard to notice much difference in fur thickness.
I am not advocating over stretching but if you can hold that oval line even though the pelt comes out snug it is not overstretched.
-
Thanks for the input guys! :tup: I really used staples because I couldn't afford thick plywood that everyone says to use with nails, and i had everything sitting there figured I would give it a shot it seems to be working ok so far maybe another day and ill pull it off I think
-
Using staples around the edge. Put one staple leg in the fur and the other in just wood.
If you put both staple legs in fur, the edge can curl making them super tough to remove.