Tanning a coyote

[A5]

Anyone have any opinions on tanning a coyote hide myself or should I bring it to a professional? Its my 1st coyote that I ever called in and I was lucky enough to get em, so I want to put this one on the wall(if I can get the ok from the wife). I know you can buy tanning kits for as little as $15 but I wonder about the quality. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[irvingdog]

I hope you've got it skinned already. They're buggers to skin when cold. Take your time, do you're homework on the computer, and you'll do fine.....

But if you've got the dough to have it done, do so......

[A5]

Yes its skinned, right down to the claws, all I need to do is flesh it and wash the blood off. I want to tan it myself just because its my 1st. But I have reservations because I am wondering if the home tanning kits are just as good as the commercial tanning? Its in the freezer so I dont have to make a decision right away. But I can't wait to get it done......

[Guest]

There are tanning creams out there that you can buy and the hide will turn out pretty good. First you must flesh the hide to make sure all the fat and meat is off.You should be able to buy the kits,just google tanning and there is a company in South Dakota that sells some good kits,also a big taxidermy supply house in Wisconson,only dont nnnnnnknow if they will sell to a non-business. When you get it tanned you will have to break the hide to make it soft and pliable.Add your costs up and then ask how much to have done by a taxidermist.Good luck

[poutpro]

I bought a tanning kit from Cabelas for pretty cheap I dont remember the exact price, but it worked good. The skin skin turned very soft, but I did a very poor job skinning the yote, so it didnt look to pretty. Everything was goo besides the knife-work on skinning it.

[koWALLEYEski]

Outdoor Life Dec/Jan 2005

"Saving the Skin"

Prepare a skin for the sale by first ensuring the animal stays as free of blood and dirt as possible. Most fur hunters skin their animals in the field to keep them clean and because warm animal skin is easier to remove. Youll need latex gloves, paper towels, sharp knife, sharpener, a rope and a gambrel.Fur buyers prefer animals that have been case skinned. With this method an opening is made through the back legs and the hide is rolled forward inside out.

Step 1

After using a paper towel to wipe out excess blood and pluf any leaks, hand the critter by its hind legs. Make the first cut through the hide at the ankles. Be sure not to cut into the meat, carilage or bone. Beginning at the ankles, cut down to the anus on the backside of each leg. Nect, cut around the anuse to free it from the pelt. while using your knife to free the hide, pull the hide down to the tail. Leaving the tail alone, continue to free the small amount of hide from the the back and belly.

Step 2

A commercial tail stripper, which can be purchased from a trappers supply outlet, is used to free the hide from the tail. Use a knife to lossen the hide from the base. Then, with a tail stripper or your hand, grip the tail and pull toward the tip. with the tail free, begin to roll the hide off the carcass like a tube sock. Lift the front leg as you pull the pelt to work it away from the carcass. With the hide rolled down the front legs, cut it away from each leg below the knee.

Step 3

If youve ever caped a deer, the coyotes head will be easy; if not, cut slowly and carefully. Skin down to the ears and feel around for the ears base near the skull. Cut each ear off through the carliage at the base of the skull.

Step 4

Contine skinning to the eyes, feelingahead with your fingers. Carefully cut the hide away from eacxh eye, scraping the knife against the skull. Be careful not to rip the hise near the tear ducts. Pull the hide down the bridge of the nose and free the nose by cutting through the carilage, leaving it attached to the nose. loosen the lips and pull the hide free of the carcass.

Step 5

Wash and blood from the pelt and comb it smooth. Roll up the hide, fur side out, and freeze it in a plastic bag if you plan to sell it or take it to a taxidermist.

Most taxidermists charge about $75 to tan a coyote hide. Life size mount will cost $400 or more.

[poutpro]

Runnigen furs in Fergus Falls will send in animals to be tanned for $20. The only thing you have to do is bring in the animal not even skinned. It takes 1 year to get it back but its very cheap.

[Bexter]

A5 - good luck with whatever you decide. It sure is something that I've wanted to learn.

KoWalleyski - thanks for posting that info. I'm printing it off right now! :-)

[koWALLEYEski]

no problem, I was looking into how to clean them myselfs and thought maybe someone else would like to learn too.

[A5]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I will try to tan it myself being I shot another coyote on Sunday. I will give it ago on my second coyote and see how it turns out and then decide what to do with the other. Thanks again.

[koWALLEYEski]

A5 do you hunt around Wilkin county at all?

[A5]

I haven't hunted Wilkin County this year. I have been doing most of my hunting in Otter Tail and Grant counties. Once in awhile I head back home to Backus I hunt in Cass county also.