Why do they hoop the beaver skin ??

[David.s]

Hi guys, just wondering here, im sure most of you will have seen Ray Mears - American Praries. The bit he is with Jake the trapper, he skins the beaver and puts it on a steel hoop.

Now iv seen this episode quite a few times, but dunno if its just me not listening, but does he say why/what they do this for ??

cheers.

 

[Dynamite Dan]

I think its for selling purposes, you get X amount per square meter, so its easily calculable.

Not 100% though,

Dan

 

[weaver]

It needs to dry while stretched or it will shrivel up into a small mass.

 

[Chuck]

All fur has to be stretched while it dries. Stretching boards keep the furs at correct proportions. Stretch to tight and the fur spreads to loose and the leather shrinks. Beaver is graded by size, fur quality, fur length, color, also leather quality among other things.

 

[David.s]

so will it just be used for clothing etc then ?

 

[Dynamite Dan]

how wrong was i

 

[Chuck]

Dan you weren't wrong size is a big factor. Here is a link to one of the Canadian auction houses. It a fairly large PDF(4.2m) but it will help give you a better understanding the whys of fur handling.


FUR HANDLING MANUAL

My wife and I use many of our furs to make winter for us and our children. Others are sent to auction.

 

[Joshua]

That or they'll felt it and turn it into a hat

so will it just be used for clothing etc then ?