skinning out beaver feet

Good morning, I have just skinned out a couple of beaver and am not sure how exactly to complete the feet. I have split the beaver down the middle, as usual, and have the feet attached. Am I able to split the feet or do I have to skin them sock style? (I'm making a flat rug).

Also are there any sites available to illustrate this?

Thanks again.

Nelson

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Nelson

Don't know why anyone would "split a beaver down the middle" in the first place. I tube all my beavers out like trappers do. I cut from the center of the toes on one foot, straight across the anus to the center of the toes on the other foot. That way you can open it all the way up and take it out the back side. When you get ready to mount, you simply invert the tube over the hide after installing the front legs, and make a small seam across the back legs and butt. The artificial tail is then "plugged in through the hole in the hide were the real one was taken out.

Making a rug

Despite Georges lack of knowledge on why anyone would ìsplit a beaver down the middleî It is the proper way to skin a beaver when preparing for the fur market or making a rug, it is the way all trappers prepare them for the fur market. There is very little value in beaver and even less in a tubed beaver. Beavers are split down the middle and stretched round or oval. However if your preparing to use for a blanket the feet are simply cut off. There will be a small hole in the lag opening but you will find most blankets cut notches in the tanned fur from the leg hole, look on the internet and you"ll find some examples.

Bottom line is that feet aren"t skinned unless you"re mounting it, and since you said your making a rug, cut them off at the end of the fur.

There is a great school teacher here in Alaska with a site explainging beaver skinning at this link:

http://www.lysd.gcisa.net/~pitkaspoint/classes/5-7/Trap_tan/skinning.htm

Robert, thanks for the insight

But you've obviously confused this site with the Trapping Net.com site. This is a TAXIDERMY SITE and smart taxidermists don't spit beavers up the middle. My bear rugs also have feet on them as well.

Try reading the question George

All you had to do was read the question. It clearly asked about making a rug, although it impresses me that you new what forum you were on, try being helpful, its easier than being sarcastic.

Sounds good

Thanks for the info regarding making the rug. I appreciate it.

Nelson