A Quick Question
 

I'm skinning my yote with paws on for tanning. I read somewhere about rubbing borax in the fleshed paws. Do any of you wolf fellas (our anyone else) know for sure whether or not I should be doing that. I will not be salting the hide, just drying it like I would for auction.
Unless someone is 100% sure that I should, I won't be doing it. Thanks!

I do it on Lynx paws after turning them

there is no reason to apply anything to a well fleshed out paw

Last question....until the next one. :sHa_sarcasticlol:

I'm not sure what needs to be done with the toe pads. I remember reading that for wolves you cut under them, flesh them and leave them attached like a flap (I think). :scared: Everything else is done so I can board it and do it tomorrow if need be so it's not a big panic. I'm thinking off but I don't want to screw anything up. I can't undo taking them off.

Thank you!

for wall hanger pelts i cut the pads off. they just ball up ajd turn super hard when they come back from tanning. i have done this for foxes, yotes and bears. makes for a bettwr product i find

also a little borax wont hurt anything. may not be needed but if i am in doubt i spinkle a little on the area

Thanks Phil, appreciate it. I found a video on YouTube from Coon Creek Outdoors and he leaves all of the pads on, even the large pad. My concern was with rot and the tanning being able to do its job. I think that I’ll call International tomorrow and see what they advise. I haven’t done anything with the toe pads so they are exactly where they should be. To me, with the claws, the toe pads on look okay but I’ll look again tomorrow and decide if International says it’s okay to do.

What did you do with the front legs when you turned the pelt fur out......legs inside or outside? Gonna ask International about that as well I suppose.

Dave borax soap is safe to use on any hides your tanning wont cause hair to slip in tanning process
If you use salt use only none iodized salt siffo pickling salt works good
iodine can cause the fur to slip in the tanning process
When you turn your hide it dosnt hurt to put some borax soap in the paws also use a smaller screwdriver and stuff them with paper towel keeps the shape and stops toes from curling up
If you have a couple mink boards pin you front legs open on them exactly the same as a wolf when you turn your hide pull your front legs through and repin onto board fur out

Dave,
Another option is salt, I pack bear paws with salt and then paper towel before I stretch them to dry. I've never had slipping issues this way either. A 10kg bag of salt at UFA is $10.

Thanks for the advice, both online and off. I think that I have this now. The toe pads will stay on which I think looks okay. International wants the front legs out when the pelt is turned fur out. That might be an adventure since it means pulling the paws through the top part of the front leg. For sure I'm going to have to wipe down the pelt with a wet rag to re-hydrate the hide a bit.

I'm not sure about packing with newspaper. I cut around the large pad and removed it so there really isn't much left to pack. Do you guys mean packing the small portion (1/4"?) going down to the top of the first knuckle? The rest of the paw is opened right up.

I'll post pictures of the process and final product once it's done.

Hey Dave
What I do with any fur for tanning is in turn the paws out so they can dry completely. And leave them in the hide out fur In position. I haven't had a tannery complain yet about a hide out pelt. My paws are split down the middle and fleshed out. I've talked to a few taxidermists and they would rather deal with a cut pad then round the outside with the hair. So I cut the pad down the middle and flesh it. If you push the claws out more hide is exposed which can dry. On ioxixed salt works as well.

My opinion is that
.bill

Thanks all for the advice. It’s all sorted out and the pelt is put up to completion. I’m very happy with the end result. I have some pictures that I can post tomorrow if I have a chance. It’s all good and I’m a happy Trapper. :)