Somewhere between opening day and sending that hard-won load of quality pelts out the door, you’re going to need to do some skinning. Preparing fur correctly is as labor intensive as any part of trapping, but even more so when done in difficult conditions. Sooner or later, no matter the size of the operation, you’re going to need a skinning shed.
OUT IN THE COLD
First off, I hate skinning along the trapline. Some trappers do it cheerfully, but I will only if faced with no other choice. Lugging is tough but working fur in a warm shelter is worth any sore back. Not only is it a frustrating time killer, but a pelted critter leaves a large meat footprint out on the line, and what are you going to do with that, I ask? A big, fresh carcass tossed aside can distract fur targets from your sets, which is why I bring fur back to headquarters. Then everything from scrapings to processed carcasses goes into controlled snaring circles or baited sets. Rough conditions also include the dilemma of how to handle either partly or wholly frozen fur. Now, if you’ve never tried to remove the fur from a frozen raccoon or fox, you really ought to try it. You’ll quickly understand my aversion to winter fur work.
Cutting cold hides requires a very sharp knife
