Should I be fleshing the saddle off of Marten and Weasel? I've seen some videos where guys do it and other videos where they do not what is the best process? Don't know if it makes a difference but these will be sent off to be tanned.And is there a good way to whiten the yellow out of the weasels?
Thanks in advance for the help .

I remove it. I put the hide on the board skin side out and use a big table spoon as a fleshing tool. Works pretty slick for me. For the ermine you can wash it in dawn dish soap rub some borax in that area rinse and board. Works for me.

Oftentimes you can pull that saddle off. Grab it with a paper towel and try it.

Weasel yes marten no

Thanks for the help
WHITE I was able to pull most the saddle off the last one with a little sawdust for grip.
HFT the spoons was the ticket that works great
I do like the put up better with fleshing
Would it be a disaster to turn the weasels fur out ? Just curious I like seeing the fur

Weasel have paper-thin leather. They dry very quickly. I wouldn't try turning them.
I wouldn't be afraid of waxing the board with jarring wax, and then drying them fur out, (with a belly wedge, of course), if you must look at it while it dries, or before it gets tanned.
Should be able to remove it from the stretcher in a couple days in a heated garage/shed/house.

The only time I turn a weasel fur out is if it is going to the Fur Rondy auction, everything else fur in.

I always leave the saddles on marten and weasel or any other animal with a light leather and light saddle.
Saddles come off otter and fisher and almost all wolves.And of course beavers.
Any reputable tannery will finish them to perfection.Any animal with excessive fat under the saddle ,you can remove the saddle and fat to facilitate drying.On mink you can scud the fat out from under the saddle as an alternative to removing.
if you are shipping weasels to the tannery request an uptone or brightener for your weasels-they will be nice and white.