DISCLAIMER:
(1) I am not an expert...
(2) There are guys that are much more knowlegable and BETTER than me...
(3) There are guys that put up WAY more fur than me...
(4) This just works for me in a hurry, cold weather, and no washing...
First....
Good tunes and a little motivation are mandatory
Then...catch a fox. Not going into skinning and fleshing. Not an expert and there is enough info on that out there already.
Skin it...flesh it...and lay it like so. Not sure if this is the best way, but its how I do it
when I have time or ambition to do so.
Basically, I separate the "fur" side and "inside" of the ear gently by hand...so it creates a pocket. Like this:
Then using a knife, game shears, or both, I cut the "inside" triange out. Also clean up any cartilage chunks when fleshing. Just leave a base, but the rest ends up being taken off.
This fox was snared and DOA...plus it was
late and I'm
tired. So I didn't feel the need to wash it. Coyotes are usually mandatory, but she was pretty clean so I went straight to the Borax tub. Work both fur and leather sides in the tub.
Especially rub good into head, ears, under arms, and tail. Then shake excess back into tub, and give the pelt a couple good snaps outside.
Borax can make a mess...but it worked great here. Also, it helps to have a couple comfy chairs and a rug in the corner of the shed
Board the fox and pin the ears forward. Then bring it inside to dry.
Take other K9's off boards, and along with the freshly boarded fox....
Hang them up to dry in the laundry room next to your
nicest clothes.
LIKE A REAL TRAPPER. Also a great place to use Formula One in the winter.
