So I skinned my first beaver today...

[SpurHunter]

Saw a monster of a beaver today on the Savanah bridge that was a fresh road kill. Ihad been through there a couple hours before, and so when I saw it, I knew it was just a couple hours or less old, and I decided to try something new. My son had been asking about tanning a hide or pelt, and so we decided to skin it out. I did a petty good job, leaving the entire face and all on it. Beaver really do have a super pelt. So now I am wondering what to do with it. I went ahead and wrapped it up, and stuck it in the frezzer, what is the next step? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[mshipman]

There many tanning methods here's a link to some info that may help. Tanning a beaver will quite an endever for a beginner and results will not be comparable to a professional tannery. Your best bet for a soft, supple, good smelling skinis to take it to a taxidermist that uses a pro. tannery. But it may be something you want to learn.
There are allot of steps to a tan Salting, fleshing, pickling, re fleshing, neutrilizing, tanning, oiling and breaking.
http://rittelsupplies.net/

 

[rsimms]

So how was that for you? I skinned one beaver in my life and swore I'd never do it again. Those critters are real fond of their skin!

If you don't want to fool with tanning it, simply tack it inside out on a piece of plywood. Spend lots of quality time scriping off all the fat and meat... scrape it down as thin as possible (without tearing). Then simply stretch it out, preferably between pieces of cane or vine like to oldtimers used to do... salt it down really good and simply hang it out in the sun to dry. With beaver probably a good idea to salt it down twice. Makes a really nice wall hanging.

<img src=http://www.mountainsofstone.com/images/Beaver%20Pelt.jpg>

 

[SpurHunter]

rsimms - 12/9/2007 8:27 AM So how was that for you? I skinned one beaver in my life and swore I'd never do it again. 

</p>

It was NOT fun! My elbow is killing me with all those slicing strokes....dulled three knives and ended up using a razor blade, worked much better. </p>

 

[tso]

Spur,

Intead of salt you may want to try Borax. While is SD, the people up there, including some old timers, swore by Borax. They all stated it worked much better. They also said they have been using it for 50+ years and have never found any thing to work better.

 

[mshipman]

That's right if you want to stretch it and let it dry use borax. It will be very stiff. If your planning on taning don't get any borax on it. It will make it almost impossible to control the PH level when tanning. If you want it soft it will have to be tanned. I also hate to skin beavers. They are very difficult to work with.

 

[tso]

Thanks Bird Man. You are correct, I did not think about the tanning aspect. We were hanging on the wall.

 

[Hagen]

I too have skinned a beaver only once. That is the geezyest nastiest animal i ever fooled with. Mine had mutilated prop scar feet on it frome Raccoon Creek in bama. He weighted close to 80lbs i swear. emoVomit