Monday, July 24, 2017

COYOTE - Make A Taxidermy-Ready Hide


Learn how to Case, or Tube Skin, Flesh, Turn Eyes, Ears and Lips, do the Tail, Stretch and Dry a Coyote Hide to be able to Sell it as "Taxidermy-Ready" or to Taxidermy yourself.  A "Taxidermy-Ready" Hide, when done Correctly, will bring you more Money.

This Method Leaves Everything on the Animal Necessary to Mount; ie, Feet, Legs, Eyes, Lips, Ears, Tail, etc.


VIDEO 1 of 2:







VIDEO 2 of 2:






Any Questions?  Just Email Me.  Thank You. - Rick


Saturday, July 22, 2017

COYOTE - Pelt Prep for Taxidermy - Supplies I Use


The Following are Links to the Supplies I used in my Video "COYOTE - MAKING A TAXIDERMY-READY HIDE".  The Video Details how to Case Skin, Turn the Ears, do the Tail, Flesh, Stretch and Dry the Coyote Skin so it can be Taxidermied.  You can use this Video to Prepare your own Hides, or Sell to Others in Taxidermy-Ready Condition.  This is one more way to make Money from your Hunting and Trapping.

The Links are Provided as a Convenience.  Feel free to Click on any of the Links to Check out my Recommendations.  You can review the Items without Purchasing them, if you want.



When Handling any Predator, Always wear Protective Gloves.  I Don't Use Vinyl Gloves. They Don't Stretch as Well, and the Sensitivity just isn't there.  I've put Links to the Latex, Vinyl and Latex-Free Gloves Below:

LATEX GLOVE CHOICES

VINYL GLOVE CHOICES

POWDER AND/OR LATEX-FREE GLOVES


The "Bird's Beak Knife" is what I use in Skinning with most of my Smaller Game. It's a Very Useful and Handy Knife to have in the Shop.  As you can see by my Videos, I use it all the time for a Variety of Things.  It's Reasonably Priced, Holds an Edge Well and is Great for Detail Work too. It is SCARY SHARP. I would NOT Recommend this Knife for Younger People.

2 1/2" BIRD'S BEAK KNIFE

OTHER SKINNING KNIFE CHOICES


You need a Fleshing Knife that you can be Comfortable with.  I Prefer the Following 16" Fleshing Knife.

16" STANDARD FLESHING KNIFE

OTHER FLESHING KNIFE CHOICES


I use Several Different Knife Sharpeners, Plus, an Electric One.  On the Steel Sharpeners, I Prefer them 12".

12" VICTORINOX STEEL SHARPENER


The Following is a Real Reasonably Priced Two Step Sharpener I use a lot.

2-STEP KNIFE SHARPENER I USE

OTHER KNIFE SHARPENER CHOICES


Electric Sharpener I have in the Shop:





Gambrels come in a Variety of Sizes and Weight Capacities for Different Game; ie, Larger, Stronger Gambrels for Larger Game like Deer and Antelope.  Smaller Gambrels for Raccoon, Fox, etc.  The Following Link has a Variety of Choices for Every Budget and Size of Game.  Choose Sturdy ones which will (more than) Handle your needs.

GAMBREL CHOICES


A Good, Sturdy Rope to Hang your Gambrel from is Needed.

STURDY ROPE CHOICES


I've had my Side Cutters for Years.  You'll Notice I used Them Multiple Times in this Video.  You'll find Many Uses in the Shop for a Decent Set.  The Following is a Listing of Different Side Cutters.  Get a Decent Set within your Budget.

STURDY, SHARP SIDE CUTTERS


Don't Waste your Money on a Plastic Tail Stripper.  Purchase only METAL ones.  Plastic Tail Strippers do NOT hold up.   A Steel Tail Stripper is the best.  It's Stronger and can handle bigger Tails.  An Aluminum one would be my Second Choice.  A Tail Slitting Guide or Tail Puller make the Job easier.  I just use Vise Grips along with the Stripper to pull the Tailbone out of the Tail.  You can get a Solid Grip that way.

TAIL STRIPPER CHOICES

TAIL SLITTING GUIDE

VISE GRIP CHOICES


I made my Fleshing Board from Pine.  Use a Softer Wood, that way it's easier to Shape.  I would Recommend the Beginner Purchase one.  I don't recommend Stretchers made from Metal.  They don't hold up well.  The Hides turn out much better when Stretched on Wood.  Metal Stretchers can Over-Stretch and therefore thin some Hides too much.  Fur Buyers Prefer Skins to be Stretched on Wood.  Search online for Trapping Supply places.  Compare prices and Quality before you buy one.  I Found a few on Amazon.  Their Selection of these is pretty limited though.

FLESHING BOARDS, STRETCHERS, AND BEAM CHOICES


To Stitch Holes in the Hide, I use Upholstery/Leather Needles. They have a Sharp, Slanted Tip. I Primarily us the "C" Shaped and "S" Shaped Needles. The Longer "S" Shaped ones give you better Leverage when Stitching though your Hide. Below is a Link to some Nice Choices.

CURVED UPHOLSTERY and LEATHER NEEDLE CHOICES


Most of the time, I use a Tan or Brown Artificial Sinew to sew up holes in the hide.

TAN OR NATURAL COLORED ARTIFICIAL SINEW CHOICES