Putting Up First Wolf

[HunterDave]

Next week I'll be putting up my first wolf. I know how to do it and I've done paws and split lips on different smaller species before. Doing the ears looks interesting but I'm sure that I can tackle it. What I'm wondering is if there are easier ways of doing things.

My plan is to set up a table and do the cuts on the legs and remove the paws at the ankle. I'll finish the paws once it's all skinned. While it's on the table, I'm going to skin the head so I don't screw up the lips. It might be a good idea to do the eyes at the same time but I don't know. Once that is done it's on the hoist to do the skinning. After fleshing I'll turn lips/eyes, ears and paws then it's into the wash. After turning fur out on the board, borax the paws and stuff newspaper in to shape.

Is there a better way to do things or a different sequence that would make things easier? I appreciate any and all advice.

[st99]

Do not flesh it!! Wolves are not fat like coyotes, take your time to clean skin it and it's done. You can also do the paws as you skin it, don't need to add steps to your process.

[kingrat]

I like to do the paws as I skin, than u can pull and do things while the weight of the wolf or bear is helping. Tough to explain. Ears I use a knife steel or something similar and put it on the inside of the head to add pressure where I want to skin on the other side of the ear again just about impossible to explain. Ears are very easy just go slow and dont use a super sharp knife and follow where fur meats cartlidge.

[Camdec]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_65mC2hEIAc

I really liked this video for skinning. Especially the way he cuts off the feet and skins the paws after.

I agree that there is very little fat on wolves, but they still need to be fleshed. IMO same as coyotes, but be careful around the same areas (armpits, nipples, belly). I’ve also sprayed the green belly with Lysol after fleshing.

I’d say everything besides the steps for taxidermy is the same between wolves and coyotes. Just bigger, takes longer and stinkier. Good luck.

[TrapperMike]

Camden what does the Lysol do to the green belly.

[HunterDave]

Okay, I don’t think that it’s going to be too big of an issue then......Thanks! The ears are the only thing that I haven’t done before and placing a steel inside the ear to add tension while skinning makes sense. I use the blunted tip of a paring knife for that sort of thing so it’s pretty forgiving.

The reason I thought that i’d Do the paws after skinning was because in the past i’ve Used a string hanging from the ceiling and a loop it around the knuckles to add tension while skinning. I find it easier than using pliers and the pelt is easier to manage when it’s off the carcass. This won’t be too big of a deal I don’t think.

I’ll try to clean skin it if possible and only flesh if and where it’s required. It doesn’t seem too fatty but i’ll Know once I skin it.

Camdec - I watched that video and I thought that it’s pretty darned good. I think that he’s the Same fella that made the NAFA tour one recently posted. I typically don’t put anything on green belly unless it’s REALLY bad. I use hydrogen peroxide when I do to kill any bacteria. It won’t hurt anything so I might do that.

[Camdec]

Originally Posted by TrapperMike

Camden what does the Lysol do to the green belly.

Just keeps the stink down. My understanding is that green belly is simply bacteria growth. I spray with Lysol and wipe clean. It doesn’t make it go away, but makes it much more tolerable while working on the hide.

[Camdec]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Next week I'll be putting up my first wolf. I know how to do it and I've done paws and split lips on different smaller species before. Doing the ears looks interesting but I'm sure that I can tackle it. What I'm wondering is if there are easier ways of doing things.

My plan is to set up a table and do the cuts on the legs and remove the paws at the ankle. I'll finish the paws once it's all skinned. While it's on the table, I'm going to skin the head so I don't screw up the lips. It might be a good idea to do the eyes at the same time but I don't know. Once that is done it's on the hoist to do the skinning. After fleshing I'll turn lips/eyes, ears and paws then it's into the wash. After turning fur out on the board, borax the paws and stuff newspaper in to shape.

Is there a better way to do things or a different sequence that would make things easier? I appreciate any and all advice.

Dave I had decent success strapping a squirrel board to the end of my fleshing beam to skin the ears out.

[kingrat]

Ya thats Jim Gibb back in the day. Very good video.

[ptlfmx]

If you or anyone else needs any professional tanning let me know. I can provide quick turn around with a high quality product. Also provide full taxidermy services.


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[pikeslayer22]

Originally Posted by ptlfmx

If you or anyone else needs any professional tanning let me know. I can provide quick turn around with a high quality product. Also provide full taxidermy services.


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Price list and location?

[Marty S]

Do you do a garment quality finish?

I like a garment quality finish.