Preserving a coyote pelt?

[mmattockx]

Our first day hunting this season we saw a number of big 'yotes with some very nice looking pelts. We are heading back to the same area again this weekend and may try to shoot a couple if the opportunity presents itself. I would hate to waste those nice looking pelts, so what is the best way to preserve them, both while out in the field and then when we get home? I have no problems with the skinning, but if there are any tricks or special techniques people have feel free to share them as well.


Mark

 

[amosfella]

read up on case skinning. for furs, pickling is very good and simple... you can do that before the hide was scraped....

 

[nexgen]

Take a look at the NAFA fur handling manual online or fur harvesters manual. It explains the skinning and preparation for selling pelts but no tanning.

When I trap, I usually skin them and roll the hide leather in and stick them in a bag and freeze them until I have a bunch to deal with then thaw and process. Pelts will keep in the freezer for a year at least.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

as mentioned above freeze if you can, if not rub in piles of salt

 

[mmattockx]

Excellent, thanks for the information. I will read up tonight and will plan to roll, bag and freeze until the season is done and I have time to deal with it.


Mark

 

[Northman999]

I've done a couple of pelts with commercial tanning compound you can sometimes get at Can Tire or Walmart. Seems to work pretty well. The toughest part for me was skinning a coyote without cutting the pelt all to crap. I'm used to bears and moose, and I find that damn coyote pelt to be just super thin and easy to slash up....

 

[caustic]

you tube is your friend on this one, plenty of vids.

 

[nexgen]

Coyotes are the hardest animal to skin IMO. Once you get past the tail you can pull the hide to the front legs with a little knife work.

Don't forget to split the tail and strip the bone out. A pair of slip joint pliers and a hook blade utility knife make it easier.

 

[mmattockx]

Well, after getting all organized and asking questions ahead of time we didn't see a single yote on saturday...

I did some reading on case skinning, but it was unclear on what was done over the belly. Is it a single cut up the middle and then peel the hide back over the sides towards the spine? That seems the most logical when saving the pelt is the goal but I might as well ask while I am at it.


Mark

 

[CyaN1de]

Well, after getting all organized and asking questions ahead of time we didn't see a single yote on saturday...

I did some reading on case skinning, but it was unclear on what was done over the belly. Is it a single cut up the middle and then peel the hide back over the sides towards the spine? That seems the most logical when saving the pelt is the goal but I might as well ask while I am at it.


Mark

Case skinning is basically a Y cut at the ass end from butthole up each leg and then peeling it to the head like a large sock. No belly cuts.

 

[mmattockx]

Case skinning is basically a Y cut at the ass end from butthole up each leg and then peeling it to the head like a large sock. No belly cuts.

Well, that explains how I missed it. Thanks for clarifying that.


Mark

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

Like pulling a sock inside out just pulling the hide with your hands ...not much cutting and down even over the head and muzzle.

 

[nexgen]

[/IMG]

Not the best picture but this is what that should look like as an end product.

Make a cut from heel to heel on the belly side of the anus, cut around anus, split and skin the tail, peel down to front legs and you should be able to pull the fronts through the pelt, skin down to the ears and cut the cartilage close to the skull then finish the head.

You'll have to turn the ears inside out to get the cartilage out or it will spoil. When I'm doing furs to sell I normally just strip the inner part of the ear and the cartilage off, leaving just the skin on the outside of the ear.