A while back Phil Brown posted a picture of his days catch with one fox already skinned out, He removed the ear cartlidge while skinning, How many of you do this, what is the purpose and does it make any difference in how much you get for the fur. I never have done this in the past and have always been satisfied with the price I received and never had a buyer point it out either. Just wondering if there is a reason for it. Thanks, Grinner

yea i was wondering this two?i did it too a fox and it just looks wierd with out the ears standing up

I've never done it myself. I don't see a need to either altho if it gets me more money I may have to look into it. Dan

To sell with the Fur Harvesters Auction the cartilage must be removed and ears pined forward.

I have sold to both fur harvestors and nafa and never had a piece of fur rejected because of not removing ear cartiledge. Also been buying fur since 1976 and have never removed any cartiledge and as far as i know have never been docked for it.

I believe the reason they take it out is to make the ears dry faster without the chance of spoiling.

It is a simple method to remove the ear cartilge from the fox a little more elbow grease to do it for coyotes. The main reason we like it done is that it prevents the ears from slipping/tainting.
http://www.furharvesters.com/FOXears-handout.pdf
Cheers Jim

Gibb I shot a coyote and when I skinned it removed the cartilge just to see how it worked. Is it normal for just the outside fur to come off, leaving the inside on the cartilge?

Perfect, all you should have is the fur from the back of the ear. The carcass looks a little funny with the ears on it but it is the best way to do the job and helps speed up the drying process.
Cheers Jim

Thanks, I think I'll start doing it on all of them. Your right it does look odd on the carcass.

Can this also be done on bobcats Gibb?
Drying time is important for me because I live in a mild climate with high humidity at times. My cats always seemed to dry last in the armpits and the ears. I think I've found a solution to the armpits, but would sure like to get them ears to dry faster as well.
Do you think somebody would try to dock me for this?

Lone trapper, borax works on the armpits, kinda curious about the ears also.

No problem, you can do the ears on cats the same way. I do all my lynx that way. The simple way to dry the ear is to remove the ear cartlige dry ear then pin flat to the head.

The only time you would not want to do this is when you are going to sell the animal for taxidermy.
If the skin is for the fur trade i.e. garment/trim remove the cartilage.
Cheers Jim

Borax is amazing! I dip the entire hide in the stuff and then put it on fur side out without having to turn. Also make a really good dry wash to clean and brighten the bellies on them cats.
Thanks for the help Gibb,
LT

Borax is an excellent tool for drying hides, but stay away from wire stretchers for cats, coyotes and fox.
Cheers Jim

gibb can you please put your location in your profile.