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Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) #1437820
08/01/09 08:48 AM
08/01/09 08:48 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
W
Walter R Offline OP
trapper
Walter R  Offline OP
trapper
W

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
Hey guys,

I have a question about tail bone pullers/pliers, what have you.

I am not an experienced fur handler, in fact, I have only dealt with green so far (except a few squirrels for "practice").

Is there a trick to removing tail bones? Are most animal tails as delicate as a squirrels?

I ask this as a matter of technique. If the tail of a furred animal is cut from vent to tip any way for stretching, why not remove the tail bone after the entire cut is made, as opposed to pulling it through a 1/4 to 1/2 length cut before opening the tail the entire length?

I remember on the squirrel I used a razor knife and cut about 1/2 of the tail length. When I tried to pull the tail bone through, I was left with a hand full of fur and a severed tail.

Sorry for all of the questions this morning. I have been away from trapping for a few years, and I am just getting back into it this winter.

Thanks,
Walter

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Walter R] #1437824
08/01/09 08:51 AM
08/01/09 08:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"
HobbieTrapper  Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
I find it easier to split the tail out from the inside vs. cutting outside from the vent to the tip.


-Goofy-
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Walter R] #1437827
08/01/09 08:52 AM
08/01/09 08:52 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973
Western, MI
R
Reds Offline
trapper
Reds  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973
Western, MI
Buy a tailbone puller. Well worth the price!


New Construction and Remodeling Professionals!
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Reds] #1437833
08/01/09 08:56 AM
08/01/09 08:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,042
S.E.Iowa 36 yrs
A
ATLTrapper Offline
trapper
ATLTrapper  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,042
S.E.Iowa 36 yrs
I split mine until I get to the point where you can see it will pull easy.Do it a couple times and you will know where that point is.But yes definitely a tail stripper.It is easier to pull them and split them after the bone is out.

Last edited by ATLTrapper; 08/01/09 08:56 AM. Reason: spelling

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Reds] #1437834
08/01/09 08:56 AM
08/01/09 08:56 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,649
Portsmouth Va.
A
aprophet Offline
trapper
aprophet  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,649
Portsmouth Va.
I used a coupla green sticks for a season or two then bought a plastic one and tore that up, so I bought a coupla plastic ones and wore them out and finally bought a metal one that will probably outlast me smile


I TRAP PETA'S FRONT PORCH


Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: aprophet] #1437838
08/01/09 08:58 AM
08/01/09 08:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"
HobbieTrapper  Offline
"Chippendale Trapper"

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
I use channel lock pliers.


-Goofy-
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Reds] #1437843
08/01/09 09:02 AM
08/01/09 09:02 AM

2
2poor
Unregistered
2poor
Unregistered
2



It depends on the species you are pelting. Sure is a time saver with Coon, Mink, Fisher etc.

When dealing with smaller animals like Weasels and Squirrels I prefer just opening the tail up part way and using my thumb nail to separate the tail from the bone.

Like anything else experience and confidence will make tail stripping on smaller animals quite easy over time.

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437850
08/01/09 09:14 AM
08/01/09 09:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052
Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
k. miller Offline
trapper
k. miller  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,052
Greensburg, KS 3 blocks from t...
have used two sixteen penny nails for ever.. think i'll break down and buy a stripper this year if i remember... one of those things i always forget... guess i need to write a list......before the kansas rondy


take me to where the blacktop ends.. then go further with me
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437854
08/01/09 09:19 AM
08/01/09 09:19 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
W
Walter R Offline OP
trapper
Walter R  Offline OP
trapper
W

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
Thanks for all of the advice guys. Yeah, 2poor, there are just no substitutes for experience, which hopefully in time, builds confidence.

Walter

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Walter R] #1437860
08/01/09 09:28 AM
08/01/09 09:28 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 61
Idaho
S
SoDak23 Offline
trapper
SoDak23  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 61
Idaho
I promise they are worth every penny. If your too cheap to buy one you can always buy a regular set of pliers then ream them out a bit with a drill bit to make the empty space behind the grasping part a little bit bigger. I used one like this one winter in a fur shop and liked it just fine.

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: SoDak23] #1437870
08/01/09 09:33 AM
08/01/09 09:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
The metal pullers are great and will last forever. I seen guys with way more experience than me use regular pliers very effectively.

Skinning out the tail takes forever, the stripper is the way to go.

Old boar coon tails are always going to be tough though.


Eh...wot?

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Lugnut] #1437885
08/01/09 09:51 AM
08/01/09 09:51 AM

M
michael_obrien
Unregistered
michael_obrien
Unregistered
M



I've used a wiiden clothespin on mink when I couldn't find mine.

Get a steel one!

michael

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437891
08/01/09 09:56 AM
08/01/09 09:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,126
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,126
McGrath, AK
I've used a wooden clothespin for several deacdes now. A metal one would be nice but the clothespins are handy. Definitely gives you a better finished product to split the tail from the inside out.


Mean As Nails
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: white17] #1437896
08/01/09 10:03 AM
08/01/09 10:03 AM

M
MrAmerica
Unregistered
MrAmerica
Unregistered
M



The thing i used to do before i got a metal tail puller was use two metal rods about a foot long each. Put it on both sides of the tail, squeeze both ends together and yank straight down. I never really had any problems with this method. I bought the metal puller because i kept losing my rods (using them on other projects)

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437908
08/01/09 10:17 AM
08/01/09 10:17 AM

A
ADC
Unregistered
ADC
Unregistered
A





Click on that video link. I use the plastic pullers and so does my trapping partner. We've skinned hundreds of coons and NEVER broke but one (he stepped on it lol).

~ADC~

Last edited by tmrschessie; 11/06/12 05:49 PM. Reason: updated to show video
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437915
08/01/09 10:24 AM
08/01/09 10:24 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
W
Walter R Offline OP
trapper
Walter R  Offline OP
trapper
W

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
Columbus, MI
ADC,

Man you have that down to a perfect science, gear and all!

That video was just the visualization I needed.

Walter

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: Walter R] #1437924
08/01/09 10:29 AM
08/01/09 10:29 AM

A
ADC
Unregistered
ADC
Unregistered
A



Thanks Walter. There is practice needed but its easy once you get the "hang" of it. laugh

~ADC~

Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ] #1437972
08/01/09 11:35 AM
08/01/09 11:35 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,148
Illinois
ringtailtrapper Offline
trapper
ringtailtrapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,148
Illinois
ADC nice setup ,but have you thought about putting your switch for your winch on a foot pedal so your hands are free to work.The machine for skinning is nice,and there is a need for some folk to use them,and when I get older I my sure use one. I have found over the years that I am a little quicker skinner without the machine,but I sure like the way they work.I just my put one in this year just to play with......Ringtailtrapper


For Sale, Quality Racing Possums
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: ringtailtrapper] #1437982
08/01/09 11:58 AM
08/01/09 11:58 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck Offline
trapper
trapperkeck  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
I have the aluminum "lifetime" tail stripper and I wouldn't skin without it if I had a choice. It is a good investment for the fur shed IMO.


"The voice of reason!"
Re: Tail bone pullers (must have or optional) [Re: trapperkeck] #1438030
08/01/09 01:12 PM
08/01/09 01:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
DanielE Offline
trapper
DanielE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,066
Eastern NC
I use clothespins on the sides of my coon stretchers, and to hold beaver leg holes closed. I have several hundred of them so I always have one handy...

Incidentally, its all I've ever used as a tail puller. Works perfect.

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