When, how and if???

[fuzz269]

This april I was headin south so I desided to deliver my fur bags to the NAFA depot in Prince George BC, since it was on my way, and what better reason to stop and bs with Wayne the fella who runs the depot. Well as we are swappin trappin tips and tricks and such, I noticed a marten layin on the counter, so I started lookin at it to see if I could learn any new tricks about puttin up marten. As I get to lookin at it I noticed that this poor little marten was coverd in tree sap from the tip of his tail to just behind the ears. I grabed the tag and as luck would have it, the marten belonged to Trapp. So this got me to thinkin about cleanin fur and gettin pitch out as well as other undesireables. I have bean realy lucky with my martin and only had a few small pitch matts, I tryed a few things and the only one that worked good for me I was later told could hurt the fur. I used lighter fluid on a rag and gently worked it into the mat to soften it up and then combed it out, but like I said befor a realy good sourse told me that this is a no no. What do you fellas use to cleen your pelts? What has worked good what was a failure?? I read if it is to bad to just ship it and the drumming will get alot of it out. How did that martin turn out Trapp?

[Cam]

I have always used gas.

[white316]

The first few years i trapped i got a few as you say covered from head to toe i used [ white gas ] coleman fuel and got most of it out,,i learned quick not to make sets around the spruce gum,
Later on a young fellow wanted to run the big marten line with me and he caught a few that were sticky and i used the coleman fuel again,it works good.

[trapp]

This was definitely not a juvenile female marten I was proud of. The pitch in the fur was matted, probably from the nest tree. Definitely not from at the trap set.

What to do with the pitch ? What I do is use a bit of commercial hand cleaner, the cream one (Go Jo) with no abrasive in it, or a bit of white gas. Gently massage the pitch patch then just leave it alone. DO NOT try to comb or pull it apart as you will remove guard hair causing a slight damage. The drumming process will take care of the rest. Having drummed thousands of marten pelts, I was always amazed at just how clean furs get in the drum. One other thing that will work is butter, to soften the pitch mat.

I have always done this, it is however recommended that you just leave the pitch spot and the drumming, then the dressing process will look after it. You must be very careful, some products will remove the pitch but leave as dull spot in the fur.

I had expected not more than $30 for that pelt. To my surprise it was $76 US. It was very dark, almost black.

[fuzz269]

Glad it worked out for Trapp. Since we are on the subject of cleanin furs, what do you fellas use to get the burrs and seads off your muskrat pelts??? I have one pond that is just tiney and realy chocked with weads, but spring and fall I always catch a buch of rats there, but they are always matted with seads and burs. I use a fine toothed comb and it works ok, but I am hoppin some one else has a better idea lol.

[white316]

I have the worst trouble with foxes,i find if you wet the bur good it combs out a lot easier, imo

[backwoodsman]

Yep far as burrs etc a wet pelt combs out easier. Downside wet rats take forever to dry once skinned so we do it on the carcass.

[fuzz269]

Ya I try to do mine whie on the carcuss too, but always seam to miss some that I find later when it is all boarded and dry.

[willow]

Take your wet rats, wrap them in two sheets of newspaper for 15 to 20 minutes then hang in front of a fan, they are dry in almost no time at all.

willow ---.

[willow]

All most forgot. Take the newspaper off before hanging in front of the fan!!!

willow

[white316]

When i get a wet mink i wrap it in newspaper and lay it on the floor of the truck.the newspaper drys the fur alot,,saves time on drying later.