father and son need help!!

[fredbearhunt]

I have hunted and fished all my life. I have lived in Alaska, and took my son hunting theer several times. One thing I have no idea on is fur handling when it comes to trapping. I have a 9 year old boy, that wants really bad next year to have his own (with my help) trapline. Mainly rats, coons, beaver, fox, and yote. I have alot of area where I can get rats, so mainly rats. One thing is I have no idea on how to prepare the hides after the catch. I was wondering if anyone is around the battle creek area and a trapper. I need a hand. I would like to watch you skinning and streching the hides on coons, and rats. If you get some both myself and my son would liek to help out. SO next year my son can take part in this.
My number is 269-963-7356 ask for Kirk.

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping

[David G Duncan]

Kirk,

Consider yourself truly fortunate to have you son wanting to run a trapline.

You both will be much better for the experience.

I wish I lived closer to you guys, because I would definitely give you a demonstration on how to skin muskrats. Muskrats are a very easy furbearer to skin and stretch. So here is a short verbal explaination on how I go about skinning a muskrat. I was taught this method by a family friend when I was 12 years old.

I usually do my muskrat skinning sitting down. I place one foot on their tail and hold on to one hind leg. Then run your knife in a straight line from the hind foot to the middle of the base of their tail. Grab hold of the other hind leg and do the same.

Then lay down your knife. With your fingers peel the hide away from both the hind legs on the back side of the muskrat. Once the hide is loose in this area, use your hands and tear the hide on the back side loose from the tail. (IMPORTANT - Leave the belly fur attached to the tail.)

Now with your hands pull the hide on the back of the muskrat toward its head and at the same time push the muskrats head, so it goes inside the pocket of hide being formed.

With our hands work each of the front legs loose from the hide and pull the hide loose from the front feet.

Now work the hide loose from under the muskrats neck, being careful not to loosen the hide in the belly area. With one hand squeeze the hide at the muskrats nose and carefully cut the hide at the ears, eyes and nose loose from the head.

Now hold the back of the muskrat with one hand and pull the hide down toward the tail, being careful not to squeeze too hard, so the entrails stay inside the muskrat.

Finally use your knife to cut the hide loose at the base of the tail.

This is a quick and easy way to skin muskrats, without the mess of having the entrails coming out of the carcass. Due to the very weak stomach muscles of a muskrat any other method will be a big mess.

A good muskrat skinner can easily skin a muskrat in less than 1.5 minutes, but don't try to break any speed records, until you get the process down pat ;) .

My personal signature way of skinning a muskrat, is to also skin out the roof of their mouth, so the their nose does not slip over the end of the wire stretchers. Let me know if you want to learn the trick for doing this.

You definitely should check out the Michigan Trappers Association fur auction that is normally held in the Battle Creek area during the month of December. You will find some local trappers that will be more than willing to take you and your son under their wing, I am sure!



Now

[fredbearhunt]

Thanks Dave for the info. We both appreciate it. I got him signed up for the NTA just yesterday

[David G Duncan]

fredbearhunt,

You are most welcome!

Keep us posted on your trapline adventures, with pictures if possible.

I hope you mean your son joined the MTA Michigan Trappers Association, because they are the assoc. that hold the local fur auctions. The NTA is a good choice also, but it helps to beable to associate with some of your local trappers, in order to possibley get some one on one help.

Good Luck trapping!