Quick Way to Dry Beaver Pelts

The fur-industry-standard shape for dried beaver pelts is round or slightly oval. This is achieved by skinning the beaver in the open method where the cut is made up the center of the belly from chin to tail. Beaver have a heavy layer of muscle and fat that sticks tightly to the back and sides of the raw pelt. The pelt must be fleshed clean of all fat and tissue and the fur completely dry before it is stretched. A clean pelt will dry quicker and hold a higher fur value.

Things You'll Need

  • Plywood, 1/2-inch, 4-by-4 feet
  • Finishing nails, 2-inch, rustproof
  • Hammer
  • Electric fan
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the beaver pelt on a half sheet of plywood fur side down. Pull the sides, head and tail ends out until the pelt lies flat in a round shape.

    • 2

      Drive a nail into the plywood through the pelt's nose. Pull the sides out and slightly downward at the same time at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions until they reach their maximum width. Keep the two sides even with each other.

    • 3

      Release one side of the pelt while holding the opposite side in place on the plywood. Drive a nail through the side of the pelt being held down 1/4 inch in from the edge. Pull the opposite side of the pelt out to where it had been when it was let go and drive a nail into the edge of the pelt.

    • 4

      Pull the tail end of the pelt down until it makes a symmetrical diamond shape with the three nailed down sides. Drive a nail through the edge of the tail portion of the pelt.

    • 5

      Pull the pelt out in between each of the nails and drive nails through the edge of the pelt. Pull just enough to form a round shape with the pelt. Continue to place nails completely around the pelt 3/4 inch apart keeping the pelt in a round shape.

    • 6

      Lean the plywood up against a wall in a warm room. Set up an electric fan so it will blow air on the pelt from 6 to 8 feet away. The moving warm air will dry the pelt quicker, in two to three days, than letting it dry without moving air.