Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: El Destructo on April 14, 2010, 02:05:07 pm

Title: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: El Destructo on April 14, 2010, 02:05:07 pm

I got two Beaver this last weekend...and I have no clue on how to process the Tail....I want to use it for Grips on Bows....These were some massive Critters too....the one air kept weighs just under 60 pounds....man what a Beast....the other went to myHunting Buddy

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: DanaM on April 14, 2010, 02:22:13 pm

Not sure Mike skin it scrape it, and dry it on a board I guess ???
Jeff Utley asked the same thing he ssid there a real booger to flesh.

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: mullet on April 14, 2010, 02:26:34 pm

 If it's like an Otter tail, it's a chore to flesh it and degrease it. Have some GoJo on hand.

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: zenmonkeyman on April 14, 2010, 03:35:57 pm

El D, can you do a Tail Along while you figure it out?  I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to see how it's done (or how it's not done, if there are mistakes to be avoided, maybe you'll find out what they are for the rest of us  ;D )

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: Ryano on April 14, 2010, 06:44:05 pm

Mike skin it like a fish and just scrape as much fat/grizzle off of it as you can then tack it to a board or use a staple gun....salt it and let it dry. You will have to thin it in certain area's after its dry. I use a belt sander for that.... Then all you have to do is wet it and glue it on green like a snake skin. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: Outbackbob48 on April 14, 2010, 09:42:01 pm

El D, here's a picture of mine done just like Ryano says. Thanks for lookin Bob

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: El Destructo on April 14, 2010, 10:22:46 pm

Thanks Ryan....didn't know if that would work with Hide...but I guess it would be no different than laying out Rawhide.....Appreciate the help..... I am going to tan the Hide also....to beautiful to waste....may have to eat this Beaver too...... :P

Thanks Outback...thats what I am hoping mine will look like when done also...

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 14, 2010, 11:53:36 pm

Beaver tastes great Mike. If you can fillet a fish you can handle a beaver tail. I did it like Ryan said. The real shame is how many beaver tails I threw away before I started building bows. The water conservancy paid me $30 each to kill everything I could in about 30 miles of creek. They even got me permission to trap the indian reservation. I killed about 100 in one spring.

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: juniper junkie on April 15, 2010, 01:41:56 am

so Bob, did you just salt and dry the tail and then glue it on the bow? I have some tails I was going to tan, but maybe just moistening and glueing would be better? I spent a lot of my younger years chasing beaver ;)

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: Parnell on April 15, 2010, 03:54:09 pm

Candle light and a bottle of wine?  Couldn't resist. >:D

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: Outbackbob48 on April 15, 2010, 06:37:31 pm

Juniper, I just skinned it a close as possible then fleshed an tacked out till dry. When i got ready to put on bow I soaked in water an did alot of shaping. My handle is bulbulous so had todo alot of stretching an shaping. I sewed mine in the front but if i did it again i would punch holes an lace . Keep it pretty close fit it won't shrink alot. Oh I did use glue also. Once it dryed it was like hard shoe leather. Trapping it was the fun part the rest is all work. Good Luck Later Bob

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: HoBow on April 15, 2010, 07:22:53 pm

I gave up and threw them in a bag of salt ;D My experience was not as easy as filleting a fish...

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: DanaM on April 15, 2010, 08:01:09 pm

Jeff did ya try wine and candlelight :P

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: mullet on April 15, 2010, 08:12:22 pm

 I've been restraining myself, Steve. :P ::) ;D ;)

Title: Re: How Do You Process Beaver Tail?
Post by: El Destructo on April 15, 2010, 08:35:51 pm

Quote from: mullet on April 15, 2010, 08:12:22 pm

I've been restraining myself, Steve. :P ::) ;D ;)

Eat a Beaver....Save a Tree........................ ;D