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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: TurkeyWrangler]
#3048723
03/01/12 02:33 PM
03/01/12 02:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997 Kelowna BC Canada
trapper ron
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997
Kelowna BC Canada
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I like that idea of the wedge under the wedge. I often have trouble with my otter wedges getting stuck. I will definately be trying that method out. There is one other wedge tip I have for all your belly wedges. Drill a 3/8" hole in the end (you can see it on the wedge I posted. Then if you have a stuck wedge you can put a spike through the hole and use it as a handle to grab with a hand on each side and pull it free. Seems stuck belly wedges are hard to get a hold of to pull them out and this works very well.
Member BCTA Trapping Instructor
"It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts."
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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: kctrapper]
#3050685
03/02/12 12:47 PM
03/02/12 12:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997 Kelowna BC Canada
trapper ron
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997
Kelowna BC Canada
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On belly wedges ... use a narrower wedge for mink and otter or the pelts come out in the shape of a triangle being leather out. A wider wedge works well for the long haired furs that get turned to fur out. Seems also the long haired furs have more slack towards the skirt.
Member BCTA Trapping Instructor
"It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts."
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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: kctrapper]
#3052700
03/03/12 12:11 PM
03/03/12 12:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,230 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,230
Oregon
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Incidentally, the only tools I use for fleshing otter are a knife for the head (and part of the tail), and a pull type paint scraper for the rest. Takes me 20-25 minutes to flesh and board.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: kctrapper]
#3052771
03/03/12 12:51 PM
03/03/12 12:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,223 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,223
Alaska and Washington State
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I trapped six otter this season, could have trapped a lot more but I have always dreaded putting them up. I froze the skins in order to do them at the end of the season. Well, I've found the ultimate fleshing system for otter. I've owned a fleshing machine (the kind tanneries or taxidermists use) for a few years. It works great on skins that have been salted or pickled, the salting proccess really firms up the flesh making it very easy to slice away with the fleshing machine. I always thought that it wouldn't work on fresh skins because they are too pliable and soft. But this year I decided to try it anyway. I was to some degree correct in my assumtion, but I found that with a little care, especially around areas with loose skin (like the front leg holes) the fleshing machine works great. I put a couple of small nicks near the front arm pits on a couple of skins, but not a big deal. The soft skin of a fresh pelt wants to get sucked in a little by the fleshing wheel so you have to be a little carefull and keep a sharp wheel. I can now flesh an XL otter in about 10 minutes, and these are huge SE Alaska otters with a lot of fat/flesh/gristle. I think I'll even be able to get faster at it. I think one huge advantage to using the flehing machine is that you are not putting any pressure on the fur as you would on a beam. This greeatly reduces the chance of trapper induced singe. Not one of my otter show any sign of singe. Of course you still want to keep the fur a little damp. Any of you other guys ever try this method? Mark
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: kctrapper]
#3053344
03/03/12 07:21 PM
03/03/12 07:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519
james bay frontierOnt.
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I watched a guy from Manitoba do a beaver with a fleshing machine(the wheel type mounted on a table).It didnt take him very long.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Otter put up tips? One for the archives?
[Re: kctrapper]
#3056247
03/05/12 03:53 AM
03/05/12 03:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,230 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,230
Oregon
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Sold the otters in the above pic at Prineville for a $108 avg. Not NAFA prices, but decent for an association sale.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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