So I was turning a red fox and it tore up near the arm pit. It's fully dried now and fur side out but I'm not sure what to do. Should I re hydrate the entire pelt so I can turn it and sew it up? Not sure how to handle this? \Thanks Griz

I would re-hydrate to point of being able to turn the pelt. Then I would further re-hydrate the torn area and sew it up and then put it back on the board fur out. Don't worry about putting the re-hydrated pelt back on the board fur out as the re-hydrated skin dries very well and quickly, unlike a green skin against wood.

So do I still wrap the damp towel around the fur on the fur side out? Stuff it up inside, maybe?
Thanks Griz

Stuff it up inside very carefully.

How big is the tear? What do you plan on doing with the pelt - selling, tanning, etc.

You’ve been given some good advice on what to do but no matter how careful you are, you run the risk of tearing it more in the turning process. If it is just a small tear right in the arm pit, I might be inclined to leave it alone. But that is just me.

Good Luck.

Well I was waiting to post pictures of the pelt and I've tried everything. For some reason I can't get pics to transfer from my camera to this site. I tried 2 different computers and everything I can think of. Anyways yes it's a decent size hole and most of the arm and arm pit is ripped. I was going to tan and use as a wall hanger, the pelt is fur out and fully dried and ready for tanning. I would like to salvage this somehow but even if I sell it it's going to be a damaged pelt at this state. Can I re hydrate the entire pelt and sew then start over on the board again? I'm fairly new to fur handling and want to make the correct and ethical moves with the fur I catch.
Thanks for all the advise!
Griz

So when you went to turning the hide what end did you start from ?

Fox leather Is pretty thin so It won't take much to get the hide pliable. So I would just concentrate on the torn area and get that part of the hide pliable. Then the fur In that area should be pretty wet and you can just comb it away from the tear and then sew It up. I wouldn't try to turn the whole fox back to leather out.

I started from the tail end after putting the nose into the mouth. Reached in and grabbed the arm holes and pulled. That's where it ripped. I wish I could post a picture of it...

Don't do that. Start at the nose and just keep pushing and working it with your hands and fingers down through the neck area and all the way out at the tail end.

Next time do it like beav said and it sounds like it may have been too dry when you turned it.

I believe that's what I told you to do in my previous postings.

Yes thanks for all the help guys! I think I've got enough to try and fix this.
Griz