I've got some coons on stretcher and their getting black spots on them. All were fleshed. Other ones next to them don't have them. Their in the basement at around 55*. Fan blowing on them. Whats up? Any ideas. Brad

How big are the black spots and where on the hide are they located?

When It gets in the 70 degree range around here in NC I get alot more black spots.
Since your at 55 I would say critter damage, like tick bites & such.

If they are small, smaller than a pencil eraser, they are probably tick bite marks. Any other info on the marks would help.

Sounds like tick bite to me ... they seem to be bad this year.

Garry-

Some are the size of pencils others are the size of a quarters, others of a dime. They very. Most are in the bottom half of the pelt.

I'm seeing the same black areas but they are large areas of about 3 to 4" spots. The rest of the hide Is a nice cream color.
I looked real close on the fur side and there Isn't any break down In the fur and no rubs.
I have heard that the leather starts to break down later In the season. Not sure If this Is true or not.

Will this make a coon worth less when I sell?

ttt

Any black spots I see on coon that are at least 1/2 in or bigger, most usually shows a lack of fur or guard hair in the area. I would say that to many black spots will be down graded. If the spots are 3-4 in. in dia,I would at least slt. damage the pelt and most likely call it damaged.

Nope I looked at the reverse side of those spots before I boarded them and there was no diffrence In the fur quality from the effected areas to the Non effected areas. It's probably some fluke of nature since none of the other 50 some coon are that way.



Maybe Gregg can shed some light On It when I take In some more fur this week.

If you've got spots that big, something is wrong with the hide. What is wrong, I sure don't know. Will the pelt be downgraded? I sure don't know.

Ticks probably