Pulling tails

[tazzymoto]

My method for pulling tails with coyotes and foxes.

I made the puller by just cutting a v in a piece of hard wood, next clamp to bench. Skin the tail down a couple of inches, clamp a pair of vise grip on for a grip, Place in v and pull while hold tail in place with one hand and pull with the other. Use a steady firm pull with a twisting motion and it will pull the tail bone out without splitting the skin ( i hate sewing especially tails)
Please note that that if you send your hides out you must split the skin and salt the tail or it will slip, with the bone removed you can make a cleaner cut,

[tazzymoto]

more pics

[Redwolf]

Thats a cool way to do it. I always used a tail stripper but that works too.

[javelinstorm]

if you wanted to tan the hide would you have to split the tail or just pull it out?

[tazzymoto]

It depends on your tanning method, i use a pressure tanner so i dont split my tails , others who use different methods have had mixed results. try doing a search and see what you come up with

[javelinstorm]

what about chemical tans like lutanf or krowtan

[Redwolf]

A lot of guys use a piece of thread as a wick and tan them without splitting.
But like Tazzy said, do a search. You'll find it.

this might help.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,69201.0.html

[Becky P]

I don't split mine and I use Krowtann. Run a cotton string through the tail for a wick and every time I turn it, I pour a little of the solution into the tail.

[Redwolf]

I don't split mine and I use Krowtann. Run a cotton string through the tail for a wick and every time I turn it, I pour a little of the solution into the tail.

A turkey baster works good for getting the tan in tails too.

[Becky P]

Never thought about a turkey baster. Thanks for the tip.

[jerrystaxidermyhunter]

                    i tan with lutanf just make sure you put a hole in the end of tail
                    so the tan can get thru the tail or air will be trapped in tail and tan
                    wont get all the way down in tail.

[Cole]

Same here. Small hole in tip, and a cotton wick during the pickle process. When I tan w/ liquatan, I use a large syringe to get the tan down into the tail. I then use the frozen clay method for the tail during the mounting process. Perfect fit, no sewing, and a nice, fluffy tail when finished.

[tazzymoto]

I just use wire and caulking

[Redwolf]

I just use wire and caulking

How would you do that? I've never herd that done.

[Becky P]

It works good Red, just takes a while to set. I do it sometimes on bobcats. Run your wire through like normal, then when you're almost finished sewing, squirt some caulk/silcone in the tail.
I prefer to use a cast tail made with hot glue. Mold tail with silicone, then lay wire in mold, add hot glue. Now you have a tail that fits and doesn't make a mess.