I was wondering, besides the extra work, why are beaver tails replaced and not skinned and tanned? This is my hobby so time doesn't matter. Also, is there any use for beaver tails other than as the back end of a beaver?
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Just tedious work but it tans well when done correctly.
I have been trapping beavers for their tails only for the last several years, we have no market here for short hair, althouth being a traditional bowhunter I have found that they make a very nice wrap for grips on longbows. Its something sorta different the guys seem to like them very well. I remove the tail at the base then split around the edges w/ a scalpal and continue to skin the tail into to halves, after that treat it as I would any other skin. I found that my electric fillet knife works well for fleshing, they are fairly cartlidgy. Should be able to fill w/ bondo mend edges and paint them, might work
Just my two cents
Good Luck