Cut around each hind foot, then cut a line connecting the feet just in front of
the anus.
Be careful not to puncture the mink's musk glands, which are
located on either side of the anus.
Now make a cut from you line on either side of the anus, and connect them in
front of the tail.
You should be able to pull the hide off the legs and belly now. If it doesn't
come easily use your knife to help you.
Start the tail, by holding the knife blade up and inserting it into the top of
the tail where your two prior cuts meet.
Pull the blade toward you, down and out of the tail carefully. Then you should
be able to just strip it off with a tail stripper. Remember to split tail
completely open.
Pull the hide down to the front legs, and use your fingers to separate the
hide around the shoulders.
Once you have the hide free of the body and around the leg pull down as far as
you can on it, then cut free at the foot. Repeat with other foot and leg.
Pull toward head, till you see 2 small white lumps, these are the ears.
Cut them off as close to the base as possible.
Pull till you reach the eyes, dark spots under a thin membrane. Cut around
the eyes carefully.
Pull down till you reach the nose cartilage, then cut it off about 3/4 of the
way.
Mink usually don't need scraped at all, if the do just use your knife to cut
of any fat or flesh.
MINK HAVE A SADDLE OF FLESH ACROSS THEIR BACK-----DO NOT
REMOVE THIS SADDLE!!!!
When mink is ready place on wooden form, tack the hind legs to the same side
as the tail .
This will make the examination window fur look denser and
more full. Make sure to open and tack out the entire tail of the mink, this
will prevent rot and make it look better.
Male Mink XL-L (over 21")
Male Mink L-M (18-21")
smaller size males graded with females.
