How to Skin, Flesh and Stretch a Muskrat

[FusionSnipes]

thanks im just starting trapping and stuff and that was a great help!

[createflooring]

hey guys great job ! like the vid how much does a muskrat fur go for

[Michigantrapper]

@createflooring Right now, about $10.50

[SereneSkyline]

excellent job bro, thank you

[five0pd310]

Those are a fat little creature. Looks like they have quite a bit of meat. Ever tried eating them?

[UL439]

@five0pd310 yah how do they taste? I would guess that in a survival situaltion they would be like xmas in july.

[willouellette1]

Great video man, it helped me alot , ive been doing this with some mink, seems like it works pretty much the same, havent had any problems yet, Keep Trapping!

[Michigantrapper]

@willouellette1 No problem man, goodluck trapping!

[CaptDonMc]

Great Video! I just started trapping and caught my 1st Muskrat Yesterday. Exactly what I was looking for THANKS!

[Michigantrapper]

@CaptDonMc Congrats! Thanks for watching!

[anamericanman11]

Using a knife that much only leads to accidental rips in your hide. Once you have your legs and tail started a better and faster way would be to pull the hide off like a sock all the way to the head. I also noticed they left the nose cartledge in the hide. Better to skin this out too.

Other than that, Good job

[Michigantrapper]

@anamericanman11 Very true, but begginners will pull too much causing the guts to rip out. This is the easiest way to start and you can improve your speed later.

[dreadfulcreation]

@Dreaminstar64 maybe u shouldn't have watched it? Just my opinion

[dreadfulcreation]

it looked like a meat ironing board lol, good video though

[MerchwithDan]

i laughed a lot at 1:17 haha and nice vid

[Michigantrapper]

@MerchwithDan Thanks!

[flatpicker1234]

Thanks Guys. Good Video.

[Michigantrapper]

@flatpicker1234 Thanks for watching!

[flyndublin]

Do you not have to tan the pelt?

[Michigantrapper]

@flyndublin No tanning needed when selling dried

[mysmexyshirt]

I was readin some article in The NY Times about skinning muskrats, seems pretty interesting. I prob would never be able to do it lolol but still, nice vid

[paintballpro749]

Our local buyer wants the fat on his rats. But he buys them same price whole. Without skinning :3

[Jonger1150]

$10 a pelt right now from the Chinese Market.

[Kronnkk]

thank you for taking the time,and effort to make this vid!

[Michigantrapper]

@Kronnkk No problem, thanks for watching!

[jeshua568]

what is the average price for a muskrat

[Dreaminstar64]

That is so fucked up, you scum.

[Michigantrapper]

@Dreaminstar64 Thank you!

[xanthus25]

@Dreaminstar64 - Why?

[afr1c4np3ngu1n]

@Dreaminstar64 when the world ends you will be begging him for muskrat gloves and hats to keep you warm

[Dreaminstar64]

@afr1c4np3ngu1n kiss my ass

[MrCoolbreez01]

do you sell the muskrats on the stetcher or do you take them off and sell them

[Michigantrapper]

@MrCoolbreez01 Take them off of the stretchers

[bino607]

@Michigantrapper u are a sick dude, but your pretty good at what u do, so i guess its u for the win...your pretty much all around deadly and anybody whos deadly is good in my books..even though i dont know how i got here, it was prob for some deadly reason....its fuckin deadly being deadly!

[CondemnedPatriot]

whats the finished pelt worth/? nice video btw

[Michigantrapper]

We only sharpen ours once every couple years. If it is too sharp, you are just going to rip holes in your pelt. You more or less want to just "push" the fat off.

[HuntTrap13]

i just bought a cheap fleshing knife, how should i sharpen it, it only has a blade on one side, and i was looking to flesh coon, not anything large scale, just a couple a year.

[WorldWideOutdoors]

Only a real man skins and processes fur in there chest waders! LOL

Good video my friend.

[jtschid0910]

When you say "cased" does that mean the fur side in? I am looking to get into trapping coons and muskrats. Could you give me some advice as to what to look for in a good muskrat place? What about coons? Thanks.

[Michigantrapper]

@jtschid0910 "Cased" means that the the skin is on the outside and fur on the inside. A good muskrat habitat, you will see feedbeds, huts, runs, dens and toliets. It all depends on the area you are trapping. If you are trapping a marsh, huts, feebeds and toliets. If you are trapping a pond, runs and bank dens. For coon, pretty much any water source will have coon running it. Look in the fresh mud for tracks and also for runs in the grass going to the water. Thanks for watching!

[kawasakiis2fast4u]

red.....neck

[HistoryHmoobGuy]

SICK ASS FUCKING CRACKERS !!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no one eat musk rat, they are fucking nasty !

[TheOutdoorsman07]

@HistoryHmoobGuy they dont eat the muskrat genius.

[CougarClan]

@TheOutdoorsman07 Actually...Muskrat stew is wonderful!! It's like a dark rich pot roast!! Don't knock it until you try it... Crock pots work great for this...

[TheOutdoorsman07]

@CougarClan lol. I do know a few people that eat them, ill just stick with the fur!

[mgm260]

Guys, I am 48 years old and just trying to get back into trapping. I use to trap a little bit back in the 70's with my Dad, but have pretty much forgot everything, especially how to skin and flesh. That was a great video, I hope you put up a few more. Maybe get a few of you guys settin up a few traps and checking you line. Take care and thanks, Mike.

[Michigantrapper]

@mgm260 Thanks, goodluck trapping!



[backwoodsboy1121]

good vid, just dont forget your clothes next time you put your waders on...

[b111791]

What does it mean to "leave the saddle on" when skinning a muskrat?

[WorldWideOutdoors]

@b111791 The saddle is the red layer of fatty looking meat. It will be a bit harder to scrape it off and you'll find if you press to hard when scraping it off you will tear the pelt.

[anarchymoo]

the first one i did i had a 2 inch nose hole T^T and the next i got it better but the eye whole was big :(

[WorldWideOutdoors]

@anarchymoo Make sure you have a sharp knife when doing around the head.

[henryfishinandhuntin]

how much do you get per hide ?

[megakiller000000]

Are you guy's apart of Kains Fur Shed because that is where i bring my pelts

[jdpete75]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!!

[Buckshot520]

So you just let them dry on the stretcher for two days or so, slide them off, stack 'em and sell 'em? Why are other trappers flipping them right-side out again and combing/washing their furs? better prices?

[Michigantrapper]

@Buckshot520 Some furs you keep "cased" which is the way we present our fur. Muskrats and coon are the 2 main animals you keep cased. Animals such as fox, coyote and beaver you skin the same way, but in the drying process, flip it so the fur is out. Muskrats are always presented in the "cased" manner unless you are selling them green.

[MrProhunter17]

do you do anything to the fur before you sell it. and how long does it take to dry the hides

[Michigantrapper]

@MrProhunter17 We don't do anything to the fur and about 2 days with a fan blowing on it.

[BoynamedSally]

so can i just flesh it with a knife or can i make a makeshift flesher? do i have to buy one???

[Michigantrapper]

@BoynamedSally You can make your own or you can buy one, making your own is cheaper. You can flesh it with a knife and a table spoon.

[18noverful]

so how many traps/stretchers do you have to use?

[Michigantrapper]

@18noverful around 30 stretchers and 100 traps

[Beardinc]

Great video guys, ITs great having such informative videos for us Noobs just getting into trapping

[Michigantrapper]

@Beardinc Thanks!



[roberttrump37]

Actually some times muskrats have like an inch of fat!

[122bowhunter]

once u stretch them do u leave them in a cool or warm place

[Michigantrapper]

@122bowhunter Cool, otherwise the hair will start to slip

[mzTayTay17]

Ok I did the same thing with my rabbit fur, but I didn't salt it n it dried up just fine... what is the salt for anyway...thx

[mzTayTay17]

Your video is very informational I'm raising meat rabbits n want to keep the fur... where do u get the stretching wire? I see u don't use salt

[Michigantrapper]

@mzTayTay17 For rabbits, we usually just tack their fur up on a board and salt their skin. We use wire for muskrats because thats the way the buyers like them.

[creamtt]

Can you make a living all year round by selling their skins ?

[Michigantrapper]

@creamtt Their fur is only good in the fall/winter months and it costs more to trap than you make in furs. Its more of just a fun hobby

[COWDEN841]

@Michigantrapper How does it cost you more to trap them?

[Michigantrapper]

@COWDEN841 Between gas, traps, stretchers and other equippment, theres not much profit left.

[TheOutdoorsman07]

@Michigantrapper is this all you do before you sale it?

[paceface3]

i usually don't use a fleshing board on muskrats unless they're uber fat like coons....also how did u make ur board

[Michigantrapper]

@paceface3 We just made kept cutting the board till it fit the muskrats



[muskratman99]

this video taught me alot thanks!

[ImTheInsaneReality]

also, what fleshing knife do you use?

[ImTheInsaneReality]

be careful round teh teeth, they really dull your blade

[HuntTrap13]

how did u make the fleshing board if you can give me any details like width, length, how far to cut in, it would help.

[TheWisconsinTrapper]

Great video man, I never thought of making a skinning video for the kids out there, season is upon us cant wait for october! just got 5 different rat floats done!

[countryboyGH]

that is an awesome video. I have been trapping for round about a yeard and a half now and that had some good information. I aint never heard of any rednecks in Mich. there Zaxtor...thats only me and my folks down south soget your shit straight. But them two hicks and all my redneck boys respect nature far more then your video game addicted pansey ass.

[Michigantrapper]

@countryboyGH Thanks for watchin the vid man. Keep trappin.

[thebeastoftoday]

where do you sell the fur?

[Michigantrapper]

@thebeastoftoday We sell it at a fur auction in Ravennah Michigan

[fainey911]

i guess this zaxtor guy likes talking shit about people. If u DON'T LIKE THE VIDEO then don't watch it jackass.

[pineyboy100]

great vid how much does each rat sell for

[Michigantrapper]

@pineyboy100 Right now they are quite high selling around 7 dollars. Last year they sold for 4.

[evapo777]

you have a great system! not trying to correct or be a typical know it all, but when you do the eyes i noticed they were a little carped out. make sure when you are doing the eyes you slice into the skin and not the hide. even the slightest knick on the hide will raise all hell.. but you're doing a great job man! also, do you send up your furs to NAFA?

[BullMoose95]

Hey zaxtor, i snared a rabbit in my back yard then i clubbed it and it died instantly. Then i had it for dinner. It tasted good with bbq sauce. Also if you dont control animal populations they will out grow thier habitat. And that causes diesaes which would kill an animal a lot more painfully than a bullet. what you think bout that?

[om3gadagg3r]

Great example of skinning bro, screw the haters. Take care,

Ω†

[TheHobbyman10]

Oh I forgot can you give me the wood type and demensions for the fleshing board?

[TheHobbyman10]

Thanks for the tips man. That will help me when I start trapping this year.

[zaxtor]

Dumb redneck hicks why don't you sell your own skin pimple ridden instead.

Sadistics

[Michigantrapper]

@zaxtor Thanks for your comment!

[xBuckBuckNastyxx]

@zaxtor Hey why look up a video of this if you don't like it? Queer

[zaxtor]

@xBuckBuckNastyxx I'm not a queer you fucking homophobic right wing Christfag.

It comes to my suggestions randomly stupid loser.

Learn youtube.

Is just like yahoo sponsoring ads some ads you hate and some you love.

You are the inbred and hypocrite.

I love to make fun of fur wearers of how stupid they look and they look just like caveman and an outcast from civilization.

You fucking outcast and hated one.

Go back to your amish world fucking hypocrite.

Go play with your imaginary friend (your god)

[Michigantrapper]

@zaxtor Someones a grumpy gills :0

[om3gadagg3r]

@zaxtor Why dont you take a long walk off a short pier, whats your damage? Young people learning something productive instead of playing WoW or COD, Whats your fuckin problem PETA bitch?

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r I don't play WoW nor COD.

I am not PETA and stop slandering you fucking Christfag.

I go out out a lot

No wonder why you hick are hated you claim a meat-eater like me is a PETA member just so you find ways to bash at vegan and vegetarians.

I am no veg but I oppose assholes motherfuckers like you bashing at them,

Fucking fascist pieces of shit.

I hope an other hunter shoot you accidentally because when hunter shoots another hunter is extremely entertaining and funny.

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r You are those type of inbred redneck hicks asshole finding conclusion without evidence.

You bash at people that you don't know what they do before looking.

This prove your IQ deficiency makes you stupider than stupid.

Dumb loser go back in the army, learn discipline.

Would be better off an terroristic enemy shoots you.

[om3gadagg3r]

@zaxtor Keep running your ignorant trap, If you had even the least bit of reading comprehension you would see that I accused you of nothing, I was saying its better to see young people trapping and interacting with nature instead of playing WoW or COD. It had nothing to do with you ASSHOLE. NOW GO FUCK OFF...... IGNORANT PRICK.

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r You are inferior and hypocrite.

I pintch a nerve?

You said do something productive instead playing WoW and COD.

You are a egoistical stereotype hick.

See young people destroying nature you mean you fucking inbred.

I interact with nature without DESTROYING IT!!.

I have a site revealing trappers hypocrisy, frauds and more.

Trappers does NOT interact with nature, they destroy it.

They set trap and sit on their fat ass for 24-72 hours and return and clubbing animal to death.

Profit.

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r Also dumb hick seriously. They kill for fun and profit. They whack animals to maximize pelt value. You are soo inferior and they destroy nature not loving it. I will not obey you fucking wanna be solider pieces of shit. I can be where ever I want and if you don't like fucking it. Then you can fuck yourself. Fuck your fucking abusive parents who rose you as a mean abused child. Did your drunk father rape you? Don't fucking tell me what to do. Come to my face and tell me that plz?

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r Calling me ignorant LMAO.

Look at all trappers who are religiously ridden.

Religion is based on ignorance, fear and emotions.

Stop calling the sanes name.

Your religion is based on someone else opinion.

I saw your forums and had a good laugh about those hypocrite religiously ridden trappers.

You are a zombie, a slave.

Thing about the bible saying stuff you can and can't do are based on someone's else opinion.

They say is ok to do this and you worship a piece of wood

So stfu plz.

[om3gadagg3r]

@zaxtor I practice no religion, so I have no clue who you are talking to. To say trapping destroys nature is plain ignorant. Once again, I said NOTHING about you playing WoW or COD, I guess my comment was over your head. Im done talking to you , I would get better conversation from a lump of dogshit.

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r I made you mad wanna be soldier boy.

You started all this.

I have never talked to you dumb inferior little man.

You said... Young people learning something productive instead of playing WoW or COD

It refers as ALL. Young people playing these games.

You also said... Whats your fuckin problem PETA bitch?.

Not all ARA are PETA you fucking self-centered egoistical mind.

Gronk.

Trapping is destructive not creative you fucking money hugging fat pig.

I respect nature wayyy far than you.

[om3gadagg3r]

@zaxtor Stupider than stupid?? Keep typing, you look dumber by the minute. LOL Dumbass.

[zaxtor]

@om3gadagg3r You couldn't figure a way of being more of a hick than you already are.

RAGE MORE..

You dumb deceitful enslaved hick.

[Cratylos]

Guys, wear gloves - giardia and tularemia suck.

[julray321]

this is just some thing to save u money use a hanger it work just the same

[irich62]

do you and Jethro sleep together?

[RichardOhKaNoi]

when i used to trap muskrats i skinned them and i used to make my own stretcher boards i like the idea of keeping the tail section for stretching, how much do you get for a pelt?

[hunterandtrappper1]

what do you use as a stretcher

[spaztack]

Great video man. How does it taste? I have seen only a handful of muskrats. How do you catch them? Thanks.

[Michigantrapper]

@spaztack We have never eatten one. We just use conibears and footholds. Conibears in runs and dens. Footholds on feedbeds and toilets.

[87ddawg]

how long do u let them hang for

[Michigantrapper]

@87ddawg 2-3 days because we have a fan blowing on them. If you don't have a fan, 3-4

[giorgios95]

it'll make a nice hat :))))))))))))

[tsglover22]

Nice Job....thanks for sharing.

[Michigantrapper]

@tsglover22 Thank you

[thebigdipper08]

Where did you get the stretcher from?

[thebigdipper08]

Where did you get the stretcher from?

[Michigantrapper]

@thebigdipper08 fntpost is where we order our stretchers from.

[Michigantrapper]

We sell it at a fur auction in January. After we stretch the hides, we just put them in a box until we sell them in January

[roberttrump37]

great video...what do you do to the hides after you hang them up? like to presever them?

[judyklynstra]

Cool!

[pbplaya42]

who do you sell it 2

[WildlifeServices]

Nice job on the video,,,,,,,You can save yourself time by just pulling the rat to the head and then using your knife. I would recommend gloves to protect yourself,,,,,but that is a personal preference

Keep up the good work ................!