#576723 - 02/13/08 01:13 AM
GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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OK, our fox has been on the stretcher . . . . oh, I don't know, a couple of weeks, depending on weather, humidity, temperature of your fur shed, how desperate you are for a fur check. You think its dry and ready to come off the board, but how do you know for sure?? If you take it off too soon, it will shrivel and shrink, and trust me, nobody likes to see anything of theirs shrivel and shrink.  On the other hand, leaving it on the board longer than necessary doesn't do any harm, but you may need the stretchers. I asked veteran trapper Bill Ilchik how he tells when to take a hide off a stretcher, and he gave sage counsel, as usual: "I usually take them off when I need another stretcher."
Anyway, the best indicator is the ears. If they are stiff and "crackle" when you wiggle them, and they are solid as a rock at the base, the hide is probably ready to come off the board.
Remove all the pins and nails, and collapse the stretcher. Pull the fox off by the nose.
Now what?? Well, now is the time you have the opportunity to really make your fox shine.
Get a large plastic tub, about 3 feet long. I got mine at Wallyworld for $10. Dump in a few boxes of Borax. Now give your fox pelt a Borax "bath."
Rub the Borax into the hair, ears, tail and so forth. It will absorb grease and oils, and will help clean the fur. I've found it best to wear a pair of gloves to do this task, and a dust mask isn't a bad idea either. This is a job you want to do outside.
Now get your Shop Vac, and suck all the Borax out of the hide. Tap the hide on the side of the tub a couple of times and shake it some (this is why you should do it outside).
Now turn your Shop Vac to the blower mode (or use a leaf blower or compressed air) and blow out the remaining Borax.
If needed, trim off the excess back leg length.
Well, here's your cleaned fox. Aint he purdy??
For comparison, the fox on the right went through the Borax wash, while the fox on the left has yet to undergo the procedure.
There you have it. Your fox is ready for the buyer to drool over.
Hey, does anyone want to stick around and help me with the rest of these??????
Edited by Cameron2 (02/13/08 01:16 AM)
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#576755 - 02/13/08 04:49 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: ncrebel8]
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shorthair
trapper
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 340
Loc: Maine
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Niceeeee. What's your thoughts on the borax bath for red fox, coyote, and coon? Big difference with your greys! Very nice and thanks again for posting!!!
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none
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#576758 - 02/13/08 05:09 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: shorthair]
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2labs
trapper
Registered: 01/02/07
Posts: 116
Loc: Western N Y
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That sure makes them nice!!
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#576825 - 02/13/08 06:25 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: lennitrapper]
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Bottomline
trapper
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 3362
Loc: Johnston "By God" County, NC
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#576859 - 02/13/08 07:09 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Bottomline]
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Prune
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Cameron,NC
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Excellent post Tracy :). Some fur we wash and dry then goes thru a sawdust and borax bath.Oh am suprised Rodney didn't nab you about having the tails straight :). The alignment is a little off for him ...
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#576888 - 02/13/08 07:30 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Prune]
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redneck_cowboy
trapper
Registered: 07/12/07
Posts: 3733
Loc: Scott County,Virginia...14
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nice pics thanks
_________________________
 Summer groundhogin so far 11
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#576891 - 02/13/08 07:37 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: redneck_cowboy]
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WVtrappin1204
trapper
Registered: 01/08/07
Posts: 274
Loc: Spencer, WV
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Awesome post Cameron. I've always thought I stayed up on my fur pretty well until I saw this post. Very nice,
-Cody
_________________________
Trappers get more beaver...
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#576898 - 02/13/08 07:43 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: WVtrappin1204]
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Hunt12Trap
trapper
Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 184
Loc: Southern Maine-SIUC right now
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wow what a difference the borax does! What exactly does the borax do? All your posts were great, perfect step by steps. You must of spent a lot of time on this, thanks i know i learned a lot.
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#576899 - 02/13/08 07:45 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: WVtrappin1204]
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cadyshac
trapper
Registered: 01/14/08
Posts: 93
Loc: Kentucky
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How long does it take to do one pelt and how much extra money do you think it gets you per pelt?
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#576955 - 02/13/08 08:22 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Buzzard]
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Nova Trapper
trapper
Registered: 11/10/07
Posts: 39
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Great post.Thanks for your time.Lots awesome of info.
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#577026 - 02/13/08 08:55 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Nova Trapper]
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toms114
trapper
Registered: 11/24/07
Posts: 118
Loc: pa
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Very nice. Thanks for the tips, much appriciated.
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#577033 - 02/13/08 09:00 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: toms114]
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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I trim a bit off the legs because it has no fur value, and it detracts from the overall presentation. Just my opinion though.
Buzzard:
The washing job probably does just as good as the Borax bath. I've done it both ways and they both work well. The only downfall to the washing was that sometimes I lost tails and other parts because they didn't dry well enough. But better attention to them would have no doubt solved that problem.
I don't know how this process would work on reds. I've never trapped a red in my life, so I just don't have any experience with it. Maybe Phil or Tim or one of those red fox masters will chime in and shed some light on the topic.
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#577067 - 02/13/08 09:23 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Cameron2]
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Bottomline
trapper
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 3362
Loc: Johnston "By God" County, NC
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Oh am suprised Rodney didn't nab you about having the tails straight :). The alignment is a little off for him ...
LMAO!!!
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#577102 - 02/13/08 09:50 AM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Bottomline]
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Prune
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Cameron,NC
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It will work on reds,cats and yote's.Just make sure you get most of the borax out.Cause fur buyers kinds give you a funny look when they pop the hide and they get a face full of borax...lol..Seen that happen
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#577419 - 02/13/08 01:27 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Buzzard]
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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I agree . . . pretty hard to beat a tumbler on long haired critters, except maybe cats.
I had someone tell me that just before the sale, they take a soft cloth and put just a tiny amount of baby oil on it, and just give the fur a quick brush up to give it luster and shine. Has anyone tried that?
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#577446 - 02/13/08 01:52 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Cameron2]
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A.J.
trapper
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 577
Loc: New York
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Thanks for putting together a great set of posts. Maybe these could go on ADC's archive website?
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#577511 - 02/13/08 02:39 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: A.J.]
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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#577535 - 02/13/08 02:51 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Cameron2]
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Kevlar of MI
trapper
Registered: 01/22/07
Posts: 291
Loc: Southern, Michigan
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Cameron2,
Just a few weeks ago I seen your modern grey fox trapping video. I thought it was a very good video. I already planned on using this method after seeing it on your video.
I also liked how you used trail camera's to learn more about how those grey will work the set. I was suprised to see how those greys will stand on everything and every where but the pan. I also liked the one grey that was trying to work the set from the back. Smart little buggers.
I would recommend your video to anyone.
Kevin
Edited by Kevlar of MI (02/13/08 02:52 PM)
_________________________
Running and Gunning at break-neck speeds. Because we would rather crash and burn in a marsh, than live a dull existance on this earth.
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#577553 - 02/13/08 02:57 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Buzzard]
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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Buzz:
As a matter of fact, I have a cat in the freezer that I have to get out to tag on Saturday. I may do something with that.
Kevin:
Thanks for the comments on the DVD. They are an amazing animal indeed. They are fun to study. I've got a whole new direction this summer to fool around with. Got some cages to see if I can keep the fox away from the coyotes. I'm going to see what kind of footage I can get with those. I'm sure they'll teach me a lot, again. Take care.
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#577568 - 02/13/08 03:07 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Buzzard]
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Cameron2
trapper
Registered: 01/01/07
Posts: 907
Loc: Nevada
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Awwww, yours would have been better. You just need a computer that speaks Southern!!!
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#577570 - 02/13/08 03:08 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Cameron2]
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*AceTrapper*
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 615
Loc: Milton, Wisconsin
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Man I'd love to come and spend a couple weeks with you on the line and in the shed!
Very well done Cameron
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#577603 - 02/13/08 03:24 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Buzzard]
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Terry
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 1340
Loc: White Sulphur Springs, MT
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Now I see why some people would need more than one stretcher. You obviously catch more than one per week.
_________________________
I always do part of my share.
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#579596 - 02/14/08 06:16 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Terry]
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DaveP
trapper
Registered: 01/23/07
Posts: 455
Loc: MD
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I REALLY appreciate all the effort you put into this.
I just started using a little borax this year, mainly around armpits and ears, but I think I'm going to try your method before I ship.
And you need to feed those fox something!
Most of mine have had SERIOUS fat this season.
Thanks again!
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#581724 - 02/15/08 09:28 PM
Re: GRAY FOX PUT UP -- The Grand Finale!!!
[Re: Andy S]
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cooper
trapper
Registered: 01/08/08
Posts: 84
Loc: mississippi
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i read it 10 times now!
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James Lord is my HERO !
