NF, no I'm not a finish carpenter. Was always a concord grape farmer and worked many, many years for a pool company as a plasterer, and tile setter. Also work a lot as a mechanic, you have to be a jack of all trades on a farm. My pool days and farming days are in the past mostly. I'm a man of leisure now, lol. I do help on harvest now and then. Small engine repair is my side hustle. With lawn mowing season right around the corner I'm already backed up with work.

Thanks NF, I didn't think to air out the pits, that's what I had trouble with...thanks!

Well, I finally used my fleshing beam and new fleshing knife. This was my first time using this knife so I did pop a lot of holes in it, some small and some big, I mended all but 1 of them. I had a friend drop off a beaver a couple of days ago and I decided instead of just skinning and freezing like I have done in the past, I would do it the whole way. So now here's why I'm typing this, I have it stretched out to I think 65", at least that's what the board says. I bought these boards so I don't know if that's correct or not. I'm questioning how well I fleshed it though, I feel like I did a subpar job but wanted the professional's opinions. I know the face needed it more but I got most of it and I'll keep an eye on it and try to borax it. Anyway here's the picture so let me have it.

YT, you did your first beaver and your over the first hurdle. Congratulations.
If your digging into the hide and cutting it here are a few tips:

-Make sure hide is combed and free of mud and burrs

-Keep your fleshing knife more level and use a slicing motion when using the sharp side

-Dont use your sharp side on the belly part of the hide. The hide is thinner and can be cut easier . This you can push with the dull side of your fleshing knife

-Make sure your hide doesn't bunch up on the beam or fat doesn't get underneath the hide

Keep at it and don't get discouraged. Your on your way!

What fleshing knife are you using?

YT, like Dale said, you got a start. I like my knife really sharp. I start behind the beavers left ear, I use a right to left slicing motion with my left hand forward of my right hand, I’m right handed. Keeping the hide tight in front of the knife is key to avoiding holes. I work close I try not to stretch to far. Keep practicing. You’ll get it. Those big ones are tough, a large beaver is much easier than a 2x. A fat beaver is much easier than a thin beaver. That’s a tough one to learn on.

I can't help as a clean skinner never has to deal with fleshing knives. Wouldn't know where to begin.

Hey Dale the grape farmer! How old do you need to be to slack off a bit on the farming? Hoping some day that could be me! I'm out fertilizing blueberries today.

Once you have names for some of the vines you've worked on for decades, that are 100 years old. Your old enough

I still live in the vineyard but all the grapes are leased out. Keep the barn so you got room to putter around and your well on your way. The Mrs. Is done too. At 65 she said she had enough. We don't have a lot of money but we live simple and within our means.

This picture was taken next to barn and house quite a few years ago. The vineyard wraps all around us. Flooded farms are most of my beaver spots. You can see the vineyard behind me

That is a BIG beaver, Dale !!!!

How big is it ?

w

I say they both look pretty darn husky! Great picture Dale.

My grape vines were just put in around 1989 so I guess I gotta keep farming until 2089 before i can ease up.

At least one of those holes looks like an old scar that popped from pressure.
keep the fleshing knife sharp and you wont need much pressure-still got to be cognizant of old scars that are not fully healed,they open fairly easy.
You are missing a leghole on the upper right,so that might cancel out one of the other holes,lol.

Nice pic Dale, I can remember when my beard was that color.
Gerry caught one small one today. He only has 3-4 traps in trouble maker pond.
Wyatt brought down 10. He’s pulling tomorrow.

HA! I can remember when my beard was the color of that beaver!

Walleyed, that beaver was probably the biggest I ever caught. It was definitely in the seventy to eighty pound range. I had the tail made into a wallet that I still carry to this day.


You guys are cracking me up! My beard isn't that color either anymore!
An yep I'm a pretty big guy.

Ole' Wyatt is on them!! Good job Young man

That wallet is very cool. Did you make it yourself? If not, Who made it?

Crappiekiller,
I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the man that made it for me. I wish I could do work like that. He was in Canada and I sent him the tail. I had the tail split, fleshed and salted. He did an excellent job. I've had it for years now and it shows no sign of wear. In fact it's gotten better with use.
Without a commercial tanning outfit here for beaver tails. They may be harder to find. I know there are a couple guys here on Trapperman that make them.
Kosoi makes some beautiful beaver tail work and tans his own. I'm not sure if he takes orders, and living in Russia there might be some problems.
I believe one or two of the guys may advertise on the crafters forum here.
Maybe someone else can chime in and send you in the right direction

Both Gritguy and Randy Shuff on here do wallet work. I believe Gritguy is just about out of material to make wallets, but Randy tans his own tails so he's pretty well set.

Dale, was that tail dyed black or is that the patina from use? Beautiful wallet!

BP, I ordered it dyed black. The man had many colors to choose from

Wyatt caught a couple today, 14 at this spot.




Gerry and I put up a couple beaver and one otter today.

Packing up for drop off.. quite a few of the black rats I sold already. The balance off to FHA.