skinning a beaver tail

[nlester]

Got a tail that I'd like to use for a handle wrap. Anybody have instruction on how to skin the tail out and prepping to put on bow?

[Dan Landis]

I've only done a few, if the tail is big enough to make a handle wrap out of each side I started on one edge and remove the skin from the meat/fatty part, then flipped it over and repeated the process on the other side.  Then using a knife or similar object as a scraper, clean off as much of the fat and membranes without cutting through the leather part of the skin.  You can fit them to the handle of the bow by making a pattern out of stiff paper.  Make the paper pattern fit nice and snug to the handle, then trace it off on the tail.  Forgot to mention that these steps are for using a freshly skinned tail.  Cut the tail to match the pattern, check for fit.  I stitched mine with artificial sinew, using the baseball stitch and two curved needles.  It turned out pretty good, as it dries it sort of shrinks to fit the contours of the handle.  Mine was a fairly straight handle though.  I understand that tanned tails gives a much better job, but have never done one of those.  Hopefully this all makes sense, and good luck.....Dan

[Onehair]

I did a Google search for "skinning a beaver". Probably not the info you were looking for.

[bigbob2]

I did a google search for 'skinning a beaver'Probably not the info you were looking for.              

[Roy from Pa]

I think ya otta share, Onehair.. LOL

[jsweka]

Now now Roy.  What would your lovely wife think?      

There was an article on how to do it in the Oct/Nov 2010 issue of Traditional Bowhunter.

[Mark Baker]

Onehair...that's funny!  

Someone should do a skin-along.   Maybe I will, when I get up the gumption to do one...I have a dozen beaver tails in the freezer needing this done.

[Roy from Pa]

Someone should do a skin-along.

Mark I just spit coffee all over the keyboard:)

[Keenan]

Probably easiest if ya pet the beaver first and get permission  

[scottm]

Be very careful when messing with beaver.Wear protection.They are known to carry two very crippling deseases called alamony and child support.If your messing with more than one at a time it greatly increases your chance of infection.    

[DVSHUNTER]

Originally posted by scottm:
Be very careful when messing with beaver.Wear protection.They are known to carry two very crippling deseases called alamony and child support.If your messing with more than one at a time it greatly increases your chance of infection.      

Lmoa

[nlester]

I got it skinned out....no thanks to you pervs