How do you guys stretch them. I have heard some people say they don’t put an inspection window in, but others do.

If you are selling them to the raw fur market you need to stretch them with an inspection window so the fur can be graded
If they are not being graded or if you are tanning them it doesnt matter.

If you make the initial cut correctly you will already have most of your inspection window, just trim to make a nice U shape after fleshing.

Don't stretch the mink by pulling down on the tail
as this tends to thin the fur in the inspection area.

Just pull the side edges of the skirt down snugly
and then pin them on the edge of the board
along with 2 pins on either side of the base of the tail.

Next, pull both legs around to the back/tail side
of the board & pin them along side of the tail.

By pinning the legs on the back/tail side of the board,
it automatically causes an inspection window to be
formed on the belly side of the pelt & no trimming
or cutting of any fur is necessary.

Try this method & you'll never cut or trim
an inspection window on a mink (or otter)
ever again as it is not needed.

walleyed

This^^^^