Muskart HandlingMuskrats Muskrats like all animals except
beaver are skinned "cased". This means they are skinned like a tube.
First you make a cut about 1" above the end of the fur on
the tail. Then make a cut around each foot at the fur line.
Then you cut from the top of each foot to the cut on the tail.
You then grab the fur and start pulling it down toward the head, hold the tail
as you pull. Do this on the front and back part of the muskrat. If the hide
sticks use your knife carefully to cut loose any flesh that is preventing you
from moving the hide.
Pull down till you reach the front legs, find the legs and push your finger
under the shoulder till it pokes through.
Then pull down till you reach the foot, if you’re strong enough you can just
pull and the hide will rip off the foot. It is better to just pull as far down
as you can and cut around the foot with your knife. Some people even cut off
the front feet before skinning.
Pull until you see two little white bumps on the skull, these are ears. Cut
down firmly on these trying to cut them off at the base.
Now keep pulling till you see the eyes, they be black spots under a thin layer
of tissue. Use caution around the eyes or you'll get "starry-eyed" rats. This
is something best learned with practice.
Pull down and cut off the nose at the start of the cartilage.
Once skinned muskrats don't normally need to be fleshed. If they do, make sure
to use a dull fleshing knife. DO NOT REMOVE THE SADDLE OF FLESH ACROSS THE BACK,
this is important to leave on. Just scrape of any excess fat and flesh.
When done fleshing place your muskrat centered on wire form using the extended
tail pieces, place a hook on the stretcher into each tail piece, then pull till
the hide is taunt, but not overly tight.
The extra bit of tail that is leathery is tougher than the hide and won't rip
as easy.
Muskrat:
2XL (over 16.5")
XL (15-16.5")
Large (13.5 - 15")
Large Medium LM(12-13.5")
Medium (10.5-12")
Small (9-10.5")
Extra Small XSM (under 9")
