I am just starting to get into trapping and before i do i want to find out what to do with a fox or anything really that i should catch. i am going for fox and am just wondering how to skin, and tan the pelt. I do not want to mount it just want the pelt but i do not know the first thing about if i should skin it right away hot to skin the head, ears, legs, and tail. if there is a web site book or any other info anyone could help me with i would appreciate it. thanks andy.
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Andy, skinning a fox is as easy a taking off a glove once you get the hang of it. I have trapped literally hundreds of fox, coon ,coyote, beaver ect. The best way is to start at the rear legs. Cut down the inside of a rear leg, proceed straight across to the other rear leg then start skinning carefully. You do not need to keep the claws and foot pads if you don't want to. Pull the skin down twoards the head untill you come to the neck. The skin will be a little tougher here to pull but keepin going in till you cant pull anymore. You will need to pull the front legs skin gown to the ankle and cut off here. Now locate the ears and cut at the ear canal right at the skull, then be very careful around the eyes and spterate here, continue to the lips and keep knife close to jaw to the nose and seperate at the nose cartelage your done skinning. Now you need to put skin flesh side out on a wire stretcher and remove fat,especially near the belly you will see two lines about the size of a pencil. Let fur dry till it doesnt feel moist anymore then turn fur side you for total drying. Once dry it on to tanning, Wright me for more detailed questions..Dave
Peels off very easily,a cold fox takes a bit more umph. Be mindful of fleas and ticks.
Besides the fleas and ticks , dont forget about rabies in fox , raccoons and skunks . Wear gloves just in case . Rick
OH Andy I forgot, when skinning the tail take two pencils and place on each side of the tail bone at the hide, the bone will come right out when pulling on the tail and holding the hide with the pencils. Don't forget to split the tail open all the way down to the tip.Gool Luck !