How to Stretch Pelts

Fur buyers pay the highest prices for raw furs that are properly skinned and stretched. The fur industry has uniform standards for the dried pelt size and shape of each species of furbearer. Pelts not handled properly may be bought at a low price or rejected altogether. The accepted skinning method is the cased method for all pelts except beaver, which are skinned in the open method. Cased pelts must be stretched over wooden stretchers that are made to the specific size required for the dried pelt. Stretchers can be made or purchased from a trapper supply house.

Things You'll Need

  • Stretching board
  • Finishing nails, 1-inch rustproof
  • hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the pelt flesh side out and drop it over the stretching board. Adjust the pelt so the front legs are centered on one side of the board and the back of the pelt is centered on the opposite side of the board.

    • 2

      Snug the pelt down on the board so the nose molds around the tip of the board. Tap a nail through the nose and into the tip of the board to keep the pelt's nose from sliding down the board when the pelt is pulled down.

    • 3

      Lay the board with the pelt on it belly side down on a table. Put the nose of the board against a wall and push your body against the base of the board to hold it in place. Pull the back of the pelt down the board toward you until all the wrinkles are pulled out. Drive a nail through the pelt at each side of the tail and into the board.

    • 4

      Pull the hind legs down on each side and nail them to the board, spacing nails 1/2 inch apart and 1/4 inch in from the edge of the pelt. Tack down the entire edge of the pelt on that side of the board. Spread open the boneless tail skin and place nails on both sides of the tail 1 inch apart and 1/8 inch in from the edge.

    • 5

      Turn the board over so the belly side is up. Pull the pelt down to remove the wrinkles and nail down the belly and legs in the same manner as on the backside of the board. Hang the stretched pelt nose-down from a rafter to dry, as this allows more air to circulate around it and keeps it out of the reach of vermin.

    • 6

      Stretch the pelts of fox, coyote, bobcat and marten flesh side out for one to two days or until the flesh is no longer sticky. Remove the nails, pull the pelt off the board and turn the pelt so the fur is on the outside. Place the pelt back on the stretcher fur side out, replace the nails and let it finish drying in this manner.