collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?  (Read 1019 times)

Offline th3rug25

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 12
  • Location: Washington
Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?
« on: March 11, 2021, 07:49:43 PM »
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

Offline JakeLand

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4105
  • Location: Wet side
Re: Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2021, 08:28:14 PM »
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
« Last Edit: March 11, 2021, 10:20:56 PM by JakeLand »

Offline Norman89

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 1827
  • Location: Morton
  • Proud holder of 110 Zardos points!
Re: Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2021, 08:43:53 PM »
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

Offline th3rug25

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 12
  • Location: Washington
Re: Storing / Restoring Prior to Skinning?
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2021, 09:22:05 PM »
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.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal