One tip too when stretching into the next size. Don't wait until last to nail the butthole area. The pelt is very thin there, and if you wait until last your nails won't hold (it will rip) as you pull the pelt tight in that area.

good info from both. been reading your post for sometime. figured that there was more to it then just flopping a skin on the board and guessing. i have the gilmore templet for the ring pattern. the outer ring won't fit on a 48x32 inch board. is the outer ring the 60 inch ring????

The outer ring should be the 65". Not sure what you mean by the gilmore template though.

the templet is a 24x16 inch piece of plywood that has been routed out with the nafa ring circles. divide the board in quarters, lay on the templet and spray paint the rings on the board. works great for laying out the oval lines on the board. bought it from kaatz bros. at the se regional. they sell these in their catalog.

BIGDOGG, you are correct. Greg Schroeder from NAFA did say as you describe. His technique was to follow the pattern that appeared to fit best, starting to staple at the nose and working down each side to about the rear leg hole. When this is done, grab the base of the pelt with the pliers and pull it down as far as it will go to a line. Staple the based of the pelt at the line. Now staple the pelt out into a smooth oval with the rest of the pelt already stapled down. This technique will gain 1 or 2 size classes for the pelt.