Beaver Tail

[deadeye308]

I tried to to some searching before i asked this question. and i couldn't get the exact answer i needed.   I have a guy that wants a beaver tanned for a wall hanger.  he wants the feet and tail still attatched.  The feet are no problem.  BUT the tail on the other hand i'm not sure how to it.  from what i'm reading, making a cast would probbably be the best?  but how hard is it to reattach to the skin afterwards?   is there any way to use the original tail?( if so how do you skin?)    and what do you do with the tail durning the tanning process if there is a way to use the orginal tail.  and what happens to the tail if nothing is done with it?   A lot of questions, but i've never really had the chance to do anything with a beaver yet, and want to make sure i learn and do things right!!!    thank you if you guys can help out in anyway.

  brett
     bastaxidermy

[remi609]

I use a cast tail.  Save yourself the time.  Tanning a beaver tail is a lot of work and you will not be happy with the results. 

[George Roof]

Bret, I would holler at you for not checking far enough, but I couldn't find the post I made explaining this either.  (Ken, I sure wish this provider had as good a SEARCH as the old orange button did).

The tail CAN be tanned along with the skin.  I've had several requests from state agencies wanting just that.  Do NOT remove the tail.  Skin your beaver out (I tubed mine) and then make a ventral cut on the tail .  CAREFULLY start peeling it open with a very sharp scalpel.  When you get to the edges, be very careful as the leathery skin is thinner there.  Make the turn and continue until you free the entire fat chunk of meat.  I use my shaving machine to clean the residual out.  Then I salt it all down and send it out to be professionally done with a dry/soft tan.  When it comes back, you can insert a slice of shaped foam in there and sew the incision or glue it with epoxy.  Some didn't want anything done to it.

[deadeye308]

Thanks for your help!!   Just wondering if you use a fake tale that you can buy, does anyone know how to attach the fake tail to the skin?   like what are they made out of?  the guy just said order a tail and help pay for it.  but i don't know if you have to sew them or glue?    thanks again

        brett

[George Roof]

If you want, you can sew the tail skin around it with hide past or you can simply sew the tail into the hide as it's heavy foam rubber.