Quote:
from a trapper's point of view
Any animal that dies of "natural causes" in the wilderness is ILL. They do not die of old age. An ill animal is a BAD pelt, usually with patches of fur missing or VERY thinned out. VERY bad for pelts. Sick animals have very little fat on their bodies...while it makes for slightly easier hide cleaning...it is by far NOT good for the pelt curing process to have so few oils left.
The goal of skinning is to preserve a fantastic hide...not keep the worst you can find.
That said...it is the time of year to LOSE over half of a hide's fur worth...nice thick winter coat gone, thinner summer coat with fewer soft under hairs and more coarse guard hairs instead to keep off the weather. Not a choice one would make if it were for the fur alone.
And yes, the head and feet are usually left on the animal...which would make it very easy to identify. There are too many natural holes in the hide on the head to make it useable and the feet are very abused and too tough many times for good fur.
This is probably NOT done for just the fur....even if it is just after shed
Poor pup. Keep your gun handy, mark it on the calendar & take a few pics...just in case, even if you dont want to report it this time.
If it happens again, you will have a record inform the authorities in your area. Sickos repeat the worst things they did when they get away with it.
Better luck to you on finding stuff on the edge of your property...like a $50 or a nest of those rare tortises ya'll have out there.
from a trapper's point of view
Any animal that dies of "natural causes" in the wilderness is ILL. They do not die of old age. An ill animal is a BAD pelt, usually with patches of fur missing or VERY thinned out. VERY bad for pelts. Sick animals have very little fat on their bodies...while it makes for slightly easier hide cleaning...it is by far NOT good for the pelt curing process to have so few oils left.
The goal of skinning is to preserve a fantastic hide...not keep the worst you can find.
That said...it is the time of year to LOSE over half of a hide's fur worth...nice thick winter coat gone, thinner summer coat with fewer soft under hairs and more coarse guard hairs instead to keep off the weather. Not a choice one would make if it were for the fur alone.
And yes, the head and feet are usually left on the animal...which would make it very easy to identify. There are too many natural holes in the hide on the head to make it useable and the feet are very abused and too tough many times for good fur.
This is probably NOT done for just the fur....even if it is just after shed
Poor pup. Keep your gun handy, mark it on the calendar & take a few pics...just in case, even if you dont want to report it this time.
If it happens again, you will have a record inform the authorities in your area. Sickos repeat the worst things they did when they get away with it.
Better luck to you on finding stuff on the edge of your property...like a $50 or a nest of those rare tortises ya'll have out there.
