How to Stretch a Raccoon Hide

Raccoon pelts hold a consistent place in the fur market. The value of a raccoon pelt is dependent on how prime the fur is and how well the pelt is fleshed, stretched and dried. The fur market requires raccoon pelts to be skinned cased and stretched to dry in a bullet shape. The term stretched is used in the fur trade; however, the pelt is not actually stretched but simply pulled snug on a drying board to its full size. Stretcher boards can be made or purchased from a trapper supply store.

Things You'll Need

  • Raccoon drying board
  • Finishing nails, size 6d, rustproof
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Slide the pelt fur side in over the nose of the drying board. Pull the pelt down snug so the nose and muzzle are tight over the tip of the board.

    • 2

      Lay the board on a work bench with the back side of the pelt up. Push your stomach against the bottom of the board and the nose of the board against a wall or solid object to hold it in place.

    • 3

      Pull the bottom of the pelt down snug and hammer a nail through the pelt and into the board a quarter-inch up from the edge of the pelt and next to the tail. Do the same to the other side of the tail.

    • 4

      Pull the back leg of the pelt down snug and follow the edge of the pelt, hammering nails through the pelt's edge every one to two inches. Do the same for the opposite back leg. This will hold down the back side of the pelt.

    • 5

      Spread the tail open and pull it down the board to its full length. Hammer a nail through the tip of the tail. Place a nail every one inch down both edges of the tail so it will dry open.

    • 6

      Flip the board over and pull down the belly side of the pelt. Hammer in a nail every one to two inches along the full belly edge of the pelt.

    • 7

      Hang the board nose side down from a rafter to keep vermin away from it. Drying time will take up to a week depending on the temperature the pelt is dried at. When the flesh side of the pelt turns hard and a light brown color it can be removed from the board.