Post by cameron2 on Feb 13, 2008 11:30:55 GMT -6
OK, our fox has been on the stretcher . . . . oh, I don't know, a couple of weeks, depending on weather, humidity, temperature of your fur shed, how desperate you are for a fur check. You think its dry and ready to come off the board, but how do you know for sure?? If you take it off too soon, it will shrivel and shrink, and trust me, nobody likes to see anything of theirs shrivel and shrink. :blush: On the other hand, leaving it on the board longer than necessary doesn't do any harm, but you may need the stretchers. I asked veteran trapper Bill Ilchik how he tells when to take a hide off a stretcher, and he gave sage counsel, as usual: "I usually take them off when I need another stretcher."
Anyway, the best indicator is the ears. If they are stiff and "crackle" when you wiggle them, and they are solid as a rock at the base, the hide is probably ready to come off the board.
Remove all the pins and nails, and collapse the stretcher. Pull the fox off by the nose.
Now what?? Well, now is the time you have the opportunity to really make your fox shine.
Get a large plastic tub, about 3 feet long. I got mine at Wallyworld for $10. Dump in a few boxes of Borax. Now give your fox pelt a Borax "bath."
Rub the Borax into the hair, ears, tail and so forth. It will absorb grease and oils, and will help clean the fur. I've found it best to wear a pair of gloves to do this task, and a dust mask isn't a bad idea either. This is a job you want to do outside.
Now get your Shop Vac, and suck all the Borax out of the hide. Tap the hide on the side of the tub a couple of times and shake it some (this is why you should do it outside).
Now turn your Shop Vac to the blower mode (or use a leaf blower or compressed air) and blow out the remaining Borax.
If needed, trim off the excess back leg length.
Well, here's your cleaned fox. Aint he purdy??
For comparison, the fox on the right went through the Borax wash, while the fox on the left has yet to undergo the procedure.
There you have it. Your fox is ready for the buyer to drool over.
Hey, does anyone want to stick around and help me with the rest of these?
??
Anyway, the best indicator is the ears. If they are stiff and "crackle" when you wiggle them, and they are solid as a rock at the base, the hide is probably ready to come off the board.
Remove all the pins and nails, and collapse the stretcher. Pull the fox off by the nose.
Now what?? Well, now is the time you have the opportunity to really make your fox shine.
Get a large plastic tub, about 3 feet long. I got mine at Wallyworld for $10. Dump in a few boxes of Borax. Now give your fox pelt a Borax "bath."
Rub the Borax into the hair, ears, tail and so forth. It will absorb grease and oils, and will help clean the fur. I've found it best to wear a pair of gloves to do this task, and a dust mask isn't a bad idea either. This is a job you want to do outside.
Now get your Shop Vac, and suck all the Borax out of the hide. Tap the hide on the side of the tub a couple of times and shake it some (this is why you should do it outside).
Now turn your Shop Vac to the blower mode (or use a leaf blower or compressed air) and blow out the remaining Borax.
If needed, trim off the excess back leg length.
Well, here's your cleaned fox. Aint he purdy??
For comparison, the fox on the right went through the Borax wash, while the fox on the left has yet to undergo the procedure.
There you have it. Your fox is ready for the buyer to drool over.
Hey, does anyone want to stick around and help me with the rest of these?
?? 
I notice there was no comment on the size or color of my cats. 
