Trapping / Fur Harvesting

scott_r said:
Im an active trapper. Mostly target coyotes but enjoy going for beaver, raccoon, mink and weasel. Sask trappers association has a very active group on FB, Trapping Inc is a huge diverse group on FB as well. Trapping Inc has some great content thats free on Youtube as well.
Click to expand...

Beaver is my favorite as well, a lot of us also enjoy going for beaver
 
woodchopper said:
well I guess it was the way I was taught. Skin and flesh then nail it down to the board fur side down so the hide can dry for about a week, you still go all around the hide lifting it to the top of the nails. Having it skin side up makes it easy to see how the drying process is going. Then flip it over to let the fur air and dry, you have about an inch or so of gab between the hide and board so it stays nice and dry.

flipping the pelt might be extra work and I'm not saying its the only way to do it, but its just the way I do it.
Click to expand...

Okay. We learned differently. I heat with wood so it was rare I had a wet beaver fur (I'd roll/drag them in fluffy snow to soak up the water right at the hole in the ice... don't stick em to the ice or ever, ever do this with an otter as they singe) Nailed them skin up, raise the edges off the nail and they dried stiff in under a week... I usually stood the drying boards on end so that might have influenced dry time.
 
Bigdiesel8 said:
Can anyone recommend a trapping license course in the Fraser valley? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I know of a couple of guys who went from Vancouver to a course in Kelowna and it wasnt for the party or the lack of effort in the lower mainland.
Might be able to get a name later today and while your awaiting the name have you checked out the hunting regulations ?
There should be some contact there.
Also, try the BC Trappers Association.
They have/had an office in the LM and would be more than happy to recommend a name or two with contact info.
Rob
 
Last edited:
New Camper said:
Okay. We learned differently. I heat with wood so it was rare I had a wet beaver fur (I'd roll/drag them in fluffy snow to soak up the water right at the hole in the ice... don't stick em to the ice or ever, ever do this with an otter as they singe) Nailed them skin up, raise the edges off the nail and they dried stiff in under a week... I usually stood the drying boards on end so that might have influenced dry time.
Click to expand...

That's how I do my beaver as well. Only additional thing I do is wipe them every few days as they sweat of any fat I missed while scraping. I leave mine boarded as long as I can. They get brushed well after I take them off the board.
 
I have taken the trapping course and found it very interesting. I trap beavers when they become a problem but with the dry summers we've had for the last couple years beaver problems are down...
 
Kenny_G2 said:
That's how I do my beaver as well. Only additional thing I do is wipe them every few days as they sweat of any fat I missed while scraping. I leave mine boarded as long as I can. They get brushed well after I take them off the board.
Click to expand...

I kept a can of fine (pitch free) sawdust handy for absorbing that greasy sweat... even properly fleshed pelts will ooze. Sawdust soaked it up beautifully and protected even the most sensitive furs. This is actually recommended for mink: sawdust present never affected price at auctions, but grease in the fur or on the skin is understandably, not appreciated.

I like to keep a pail of shavings off the planer for when gas or oil is spilled: soaks those up very cleanly and into the fire. Mechanic friend appreciates getting them as well... cheaper and better than absorbent granules.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom