why skin coyotes in the field?

[trappnman]

I was a "traditional" coyote trapper up until 2 years ago, where I stacked what I got- coyotes, coon, fox, etc- in the truck, then did them all when I got home.

I knew people that did skin as they went, and while I "understood" why, the benefits to me, were outweighed I thought, by a couple of things-

primarily the mess. but also the time, and also could I indeed, leave the carcasses where they were caught? Would "people" object? would the farmers object? would I be covered in mess, and have that be a pain throughout the day?

but eventually, the arguements to DO it in the field, seemed to outweigh my objections- plus, I simply hated coming home, and spending a couple of hours skinning and handling cold coyotes (and while I don't own a electronic skinner, I've used one) even on a skinner.

so I figured in for a penny, in for a pound...... and welded up a simple skinning rig.

and the angels sang and the trumpeters heralded......because by gosh, all of my fears went ungrounded, and the benefits piled up.

to the point, I'll never go back to skinning canines in the shed- its that dramatic a difference in time, effort and effecientcy.

I fully understand the fears- I had them all- but can say that those fears, simply melt away once one starts skinning hot in the field.

If you don't skin coyotes in the field- why not?

and if not, is there anything I can say, that might convince you to give it a try?


click-
chattanoogawebhost.com/chattube/watch_video.php?v=7aaf70a968b45c1

[Noel]

Only time I dont is if its raining hard, I like skinning dry fur

[trappnman]

haven't had the real hard rain yet, but so far light rain isn't too much of a bother- but I've thought what I'd do if one of those all day soakers.. guess it depends on the day.

[thorsmightyhammer]

Apr 9, 2012 14:11:29 GMT -6 trappnman said:

haven't had the real hard rain yet, but so far light rain isn't too much of a bother- but I've thought what I'd do if one of those all day soakers.. guess it depends on the day.

A topper keeps everything dry. Alot of guys dont like them but i gusss ive never not had one.

[trappnman]

I've used them more years than not and now don't, since I have a high toolbox I like.

I do like the keeping things dry part, but totes take care of that. One I liked best was one that swung up from the back, but you couldn't keep anything high in it. but it opened all at once, and I liked that. over all, I like it open so everything is instant acess, but do miss a topper in the rain.

[thorsmightyhammer]

I've always had a 3 door topper. Alot easier to get at ones stuff than the ones with only a backdoor.

I like it because keeps stuff dry,keeps the snow out and best of all people cant see my schit.

[seldom]

It's all about angles and access and you can have the best of both worlds! I think if I advertised this setup I could make some $$ fabricating this because it makes everything so available it's crazy! I even made an expanded metal rack that sits down level with the bottom of the boxes and in between them so there is no wasted spaced.

[seldom]

This is the drop-in rack I mentioned in the previous post. It just clamped to the green angle iron cross member

[jrbhunter]

That is too cool seldom... you've got me thinking now!

[monttrap04]

I started skinning in the field this year. Won't go back. Big coyotes are way easier and young coyotes are downright pleasurable.

Seldom, that rack and idea is awesome!

[northof50]

Are you not us to the phrase; <OHIO>
only
handle
it
once.

Get a mattress cover that come on new mattresses, they are 9 mm heavy two ply plastic, 8 feet long and 7 feet wide,and the toes do not puncture. I used these on a DOR deer study.
Good shot of Raid and 4 minutes later the fleas are dead.

[trappnman]

seldom- I'm going to put you on the spot- and ask you to post the pictures of your rigs both front and back-

if you prefer they remain private, I understand.....

but i can see the man has fabricated before.........

[seldom]

Two years ago I fabricated a "front-end" skinning job. It worked great! I made a recieving hitch affair that used the tow loops on my Ford. The jib is also telescoping.











Well even though it worked great, I missed having something to lay my skinning tools on so last year I moved the job to the rear of the truck so I could use the tailgate. This worked even better because my tools were right at hand!

Since I'm always trying to improve stuff I wanted to come up with a system that not only kept my pelt blood-free but kept me free of blood dripping off the carcass. Also, I thought if I could design a system that was similar to my winch puller in the shed I could keep me and the pelt blood-free and do everything quicker and more efficient.

So this year I added a boat winch to my jib, added a set of vice grips, and would use a pogo for an anchor if no tree was available. In the following photos I had to use a towel to simulate a coyote carcass to be able to pre-test the system.






I didn't want to sink a pogo in my yard so I tethered off one of my trees.



Hard to see since the gambrel hadn't been repainted when I took the photo. The coyote is hung on the gambrel and once the pelt is pulled off the flanks, it's taken off the jib and hooked through a pogo's loop.


Pelt-gripping vice grips with swivel.

[Zagman]

Goodness............looks like NASA designed this! LOL

A+ for ingenuity............but think I'll just keep taking them home to skin.........

I do like your racks for totes and such, though.

7-10-12-15 minutes at home each night........per coyote. As a one man show on three weeks vacation, still torn on which way to go, but still think daylight is for trapping, and dark time is for skinning in my very specific scenario.


MZ

[seldom]

Apr 11, 2012 20:57:04 GMT -6 Zagman said:

I do like your racks for totes and such, though.


MZ

Those are $15, rummage sale specials, HDPE tool boxes.

[trappnman]

thnaks seldom!

I love the front mount idea through the tow hooks- I'm going to go with it next year.

[jim]

Apr 12, 2012 7:39:25 GMT -6 trappnman said:

thnaks seldom!

I love the front mount idea through the tow hooks- I'm going to go with it next year.

That will work for you, you can have Lori hand you the knife, etc.
Jim

[musher]

Lori is too busy setting traps to do that!

Just lay them on the hood. If you don't want them rolling or scratching lay a towel down first.

Seldom: very impressive stuff.

I agree with Zags but there's no electricity at my trapping camps. I'm thinking of rigging something to quick skin the small stuff that isn't frozen solid.

[trappnman]

lori only makes remakes 1 day a week- the other days she comes we are setting, and then pulling.

I'll lay things on the hood

[seldom]

Apr 12, 2012 19:36:35 GMT -6 trappnman said:

lori only makes remakes 1 day a week- the other days she comes we are setting, and then pulling.

I'll lay things on the hood

Tools wrapped in an old towel or old rug works. Look for one of those Cordova(material) tool holders that roll up would be perfect. My Dad who is 87 lives to go to rummage sales so I just give himmy order list and he hits the road happy as a clam! That's how I got the HDPE pickup tool boxes.

This may be one of my next projects for behind my snowmobile since I already have everything.