Road kill beaver tail

[DuBois]

Was in a hurry but couldn't pass up at least cutting off the 10" tail.
Now what do I do to it? I've seen where someone used it as a grip but I don't know how to treat it at this point to keep it from rotting?
Thanks again,
Marco

[Knapper]

DuBois,
Just fillet it out and let it dry.
Knapper

[DuBois]

Thanks Knapper, will do.

[autologus]

If you dont have time to mess with it, put it in the freezer until later.

Grady

[tallpine]

I was given a nice one recently and messed it up trying to skin it. I looked on YouTube and sure enough there's a vid on how to do it, simple as pie, I wish I had seen it before I ruined mine. Check it out.

[autologus]

You have to be very careful when skinning them because the hide is very thin.

Grady

[DuBois]

I got it in the freezer for now and will watch the video. Thanks fellas.
Marco

[Pawtrap]

ya ever ate one? I did, roasted it on the fire, kinda tasted like a bream flavored pork skin, lol, twernt bad.  I trapped a 55#er and covered a very large knife sheath with its tail. It would make a cool handle.

[zenart]

I just bought a one on ebay for a few bucks for handle wrap. Pretty cool. More transparent than I thought it would be. Can't really tell unless you hold up to the light. The guy poked little holes along sides, strung it up n stretched out on a little stretcher bar gizmo.

[autologus]

I skin it out and flesh as much fat off it and tack it to a board with thumb tacks and put it in the sun to dry.  When you get ready to use it I soak it in warm water and dawn dish soap and scrape the fat side with a spoon to get as much fat out as I can then cut it out punch holes and lace it on.

Grady

[DuBois]

No, never ate one but I'd try it just for grins.

Grady, thanks for the info. I'll do just that. It looks big enough to get 2 handles from it I hope.

I was tempt3ed to go back later and get the hide but it had been a warm day and was probably more a mess than I wanted to attempt.

Would there be any use for the teeth? I may go back with a hammer and nock em out.

[Knapper]

DuBois,
Here's a picture of a wood scraper or bowl scaper I made with a set once.
Knapper

[Lemos]

I just skinned out 7 that have been sitting in the freezer for about a year now. Defiantly watch the video it'll save you pain and suffering. Just takes two vice grips and a bench vise and a sharp knife.  And degreaser lots and lots of degreaser. I'll tell ya this, next time I'm only doing one at a time.

[zenart]

Teeth on a stick! Knapper, that is too (two?) cool man.

[stickbender]

     The Indians would use beaver teeth, for a crooked knife, for wood work.  They would bevel one edge of the end, like a chisel.   Just picture a wooden knife handle like a wood carving knife, and the tooth, set in the end on a notch, and glued and tied down, and the tooth, curve facing down.  After the Europeans came, they started to use iron, and steel.   
Too bad you didn't get the hide also.  You could make a nice trapper hat!  Complete with ear flaps.


                                                                               Wayne