Muskrats on wood.
#8050473
01/15/24 02:44 PM
01/15/24 02:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 338 MN
MNRATMAN
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 338
MN
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Hey guys I thought id share this with ya. This is a little info on how I stretch my rats. First two pictures are just to give reference if you didn't pull the skirt of the rats down. You'd have a 14" rat. These next two pictures are showing the skirts of the rats pulled down. Gained 1" Here's just a couple pictures of the finished look. Now days, the rats bellies are what are being utilized the most, hence the reason I stretch the belly side that way. Mnratman
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: MNRATMAN]
#8050560
01/15/24 04:19 PM
01/15/24 04:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,876 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,876
Wisconsin
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Wood Is the way to go.
But I think your shoulder area Is too wide on the form. Take 3/8ths of a inch off and you will gain another Inch or more In length. Making the shoulder width less Isn't even noticeable when that rat Is being graded. You can't make a rat any bigger then It Is. But you can stretch it to where It benefits you when that rat Is being graded.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: MNRATMAN]
#8050847
01/15/24 08:48 PM
01/15/24 08:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484
NWWA/AZ
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Wood or metal,,,,,this is the question
My question is why (unless it is you source of income) would anyone put up fur to get robbed.
Economics 101 Make them pay Someday the middle man may thank us,,,,,not
Slightly used Shoes 4 sale,,,,,,May special,,, Act Now... Free Sock with every purchase
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: trappersully]
#8051412
01/16/24 01:05 PM
01/16/24 01:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,981 new york
mike mason
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,981
new york
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beav can you post a picture of your boards with the dimensions? X2
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: MNRATMAN]
#8051479
01/16/24 01:56 PM
01/16/24 01:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,876 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,876
Wisconsin
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I don't do pics but I can type In some measurements.
NAFAs boards.
XL 51/2" at 7" 6 1/2" at 18"
ML 5"at 6" 6"at 16"
SM 41/2 at 5" 51/2" at 14"
The boards are 24" long and 3/8ths thick.
My boards.
XL 3 1/2" at 3"
4 3/4" at 6"
5 1/4" at 9"
6 " at 12"
6" at 15"
6 1/2" at 18"
My boards are 24" long and 1/4" thick.
I can stretch just about all my rats On a XL board. But I do have a few smaller boards for those grey backs. The other thing I do Is I shove the belly board In from the mouth end. The head area when dried Is the tightest area so having the slimmest part of the belly board In the head area makes no sense. And the other thing Is that It's easier to pull out the belly board when It's sticking out In the open.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: MNRATMAN]
#8051505
01/16/24 02:16 PM
01/16/24 02:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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Wood boards for me for mall species, as they provide the ability to pin out a square butt and the tail as well as providing overall better consistency in shape and fur density thus giving a better overall appearance. Untreated boards also help in the drying of pelts by absorbing moisture from the hide. In between use the moisture evaporates from the boards.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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Re: Muskrats on wood.
[Re: MNRATMAN]
#8051679
01/16/24 05:44 PM
01/16/24 05:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,015 N Central Iowa
iayogi17
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,015
N Central Iowa
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the question is Who are you selling to? do they like wood stretched rats or wire stretched rats
Brad Mohr
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