im getting into predator hunting this year and want to have the first "firsts" tanned and hung on the wall. first grey, red and yote and a big coon someday either one i shoot down to a dog or one i call in...but ive shot a bunch of them...going to wait for a biggun to tan it..

when skinning coons we cut around the feet and split the inside of the rear legs and open up the vent and skin them down...ive never skinned anything with the claws and pads on...i think they would look neat on my tanned hides im going to keep...

anyone know a website or able to tell me how to skin them and keep the pads and claws on??

anyone know of good tanning solution that is easy to work with?? not looking for leather quality...looking to keep the fur on and just preserve the skins to hang on the wall..probably run a string along a wall or something and hang them from it or tack them up by the nose...dont want them stiff as a board..but dont need them super soft like leather...also dont want to spend 100 hours on a pelt..if thats the case, i will send them out...but would like to do them myself if possible...

thanx

mauser - if you are wanting what is called trapper tan, you won't get it from a home tan without a ton of work. Skin it, flesh it, salt it and send it to Lonestar Fur Dressing. You won't regret gettingout of that work.

lol...figured it would still be alot of work..and really, after watching dad stretch and flesh coon hides one year, i know thats a pain on its own...couldnt find anyone to buy them that year unless they were fleshed and stretched and all that.

wow...prices aint nearly as bad as i thought...i was figuring 100$ a hide!

any info on doing feet and claws incase i decide to get one done like that?? might end up taking that one to the taxi and actually having it rugged out and maybe head mounted in it..

now i gotta get out there and get me some critters!! gunna pick me a big ole boar coon maybe this week and get it before the dogs get to it lol...i just think fur hangin on the wall looks awesome....

info on feet - take your time and get all the meat and bones out. Sorry but that's about the best advise I can give.

thanx nc...best way to learn aughta be to just try it...if i mess it up i can always cut them off like im used to doing...

I am also looking for a hair on tanning solution. The one I used to use got lost, i think it was a borox baised one. any help, or links would be appreciated

Trying to keep the claws in is going to be a pain. The feet will curl up real bad eventually from drying out. I would send them to a fur dresser. You don't want to get into that kind of work, and then have less than desirable results. Probably have more money in it with supplies and hours invested than if you send it to a pro, and the results wouldn't be nearly as good.