like it says what size wire stretchers do you use for your skunks. you know just for a future referance for others lets just get a list of animal to stretchers

fox-
coyote-
skunk-
mink-
martin-
fisher-
bobcat-
weasel-
and anything else i might have forgoten

coon- #4
rats- #1

I am also interested in this. A list of animals for each size wire stretcher would be real helpful.

Any reputable, well stocked trapping supply dealership should have many of these wire stretchers for sale, and numerically "sized."

For wooden stretcher boards, they are "sized" by dimensions, not numbers, and can be located here for most common pelts for your reference:

http://malcolmhess.home.mindspring.com/NAFA.htm

Jonathan

I do most skunks on #4 fox stretcher

i do my skunks on fox boards

SM Fox does work well. But I do have a few of some older really oddball sized strechers that fit the skunk profile beautifully. I wish I new what they were actually for. I was once told there a #21??? They are pretty close to the width of a wire rat one but longer with a good size tear-drop heavy tapered bottom. They really give the face that nice narrow point, and widden the body "just right"...

When I took last years skunks in...the fur buyer hung them up for the rest of the day..."this is the way they should be comments...." I see if any the stampings are still readable....

ok so fox stretchers it is. i guess i need to pick some up. anyone care to fill in the rest of the list

Looks like there actually a PEERLESS CHAIN AND TOOL CO #1 1/2 FUR STRECHER ???? MINNESOTA

If you can find em....

I don't think that Peerless Chain Company of Winona, Minnesota makes wire fur stretchers any more. Lots of used ones around, especially at trapping conventions.

isnt the 1 1/2 the same for marten?

The Peerless # 1 1/2 stretcher is for mink and marten. Though I'm not sure why any one would use wire for stretching these pelts.

A # 1 1/2 stretchers is 28 inches long by 4 inches wide at the base.

That I couldnt tell ya, these peerless for sure not.(differant sizes between mfgr's) But they will give your skunks a really nice shape. wiss miss might be able to help you locate some

I think putting a skunk on a Peerless # 1 1/2 stretcher would be a mistake. Way too narrow for most buyers.

Peerless did make a # 2 wire stretcher - which they listed as being for skunk and possum. It is 30 inches long by 10 inches wide. That would be my choice for a wire skunk stretcher.

After trip #3 to the shed and measuring agin....Im thinkiing these are #2's (30x10 ish) with 1 1/2 hooks on them. what ever they are Ive had nothing but good comments on my skunks. (and 14.00$$ average price last year)

Matt....
I think I can give you what ur lookin for here;
#1 muskrat
1 1/2 mink <---bad idea industry standards pretty much demand mink done on boards..and it's easier...and pelt looks SO much better at sale time
there are #2%3 out there but noone uses em anymore
#4..like said earlier..perfect form for skunk..possum...average coon, grey fox..average reds
#5 Big coon, big red fox, small cats, small coyotes.
#6 Cats...Coyotes
hope this helps
Scott

Scott - I would have to disagree with you about # 4 stretchers being perfect for skunk and possum. In my opinion they are too wide. Sure you can reshape the stretcher, but why go to the effort when a # 2 is already the right shape.

Also, I think the industry preference is that cats and coyotes be stretched on wood.

ok so cats and coyotes and mink on wood and #2 for skunk?

go with the top of a #4 for yer skunks.....#2 stretchers don't have the right shape
Scott

Mink absolutly wood only. Cats and coyotes I have both wood and wire more wire than wood, never seemed priced differant.

But theres allways a but....my wire streched yotes and cats seem to have a better " crinkly " sound that every buyer Ive ever sold to gives them when they shake them. wooden streched seem to have a more " hollow " sound and they allways shake them an extra time or two, maybe some else explain that one to me....

OOPS....sorry wissmiss..didn't mean to step on ya there..post went straight to the bottom.....didn't see yerpost...we have big scrap furs here...and foxes don't get but so big..so my #4s are narrow at the top
Scott

Scott - not a problem at all. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

I bought a bunch of Virginia skunk last season and they didn't seem all that big to me. Maybe you are in a different section.

Shenandoah valley...most of my places haven't been trapped in years....and I tread lightly...gentle harvest
Scott

now were getting somewhere. lets get a full list though and maybe send this to the archives for future use by new trappers

Great stuff folks!