Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

3o6CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTMake a small Incision through tip of tail, and,before putting the pelt on a stretcher, runa switch through the tail sheath to open it upand allow the air to pass through it. If the tailsheath were left stuck together it would not cureproperly and the fur would slip. This is the bestway with mink and other animals that have tailsmore or less rat-like, and trappers generally practiceit even on fox, raccoon, skunk, etc. ; but ifthe animal has a thick, fleshy tail, the skin shouldrather be slit its entire length, on the under side,and spread flat for curing.Next strip the skin down over the body. Thefront legs are easily worked out with the fingers.Sever the feet at the ankles, or skin them out withtoes attached, as the case may require. Such skinsas mink, marten, fisher, and fox may be slit up theback of the front legs to assure proper drying.Peel the skin down over the head, using theknife gently. The ears are cut off not too close tothe skull, the membranes cut through at the eyes,and the muzzle skinned off with lips and bare noseattached. The cartilage need not be removed, sincethe animal Is not to be mounted.Now go over the flesh side of the whole pelt andremove all adhering flesh and fat with the knife,but do not scrape thin at any place. Raccoon,skunk, and oppossum skins are fatty, like a bear's,and should be fleshed with particular care.If the fur is dirty, or has blood spots on it, youmust clean it with water and a rag (soap, too,if need be). A wet pelt should be dried by swingingit around In the air, before putting It on thestretcher.As furs are of no value until freezing weathersets In, there Is no need to salt the skins or use anyother preservative; just dry them In the shade onstretchers.Pelts of skunk, mink, etc.,can be deodorized mosteffectively by soaking and washing them In gasoline