how to skin a bobcat?

AllAlaskan · 10-17-2008, 12:56 PM

Ok Just so some on of you dont freek out on me for killing a bobcat I want you to know that I already checked The regs for my area and it IS legal to Shoot them. they are considered a Nongame animal and are open all seasen. ALso My Wifes grandmother who lives just down the road (Her property sarounds ours and This is where I shot it And had permission) said she has seen Bobcats take 2 of her cats in the last year and has had lost a few others to Coyotes. So she and my mother-in-law have already asked me to shoot one if i see it.

Well I went Squirrel Hunting this morning (Got 2) and while I was sitting still and scanning the trees this Ran about 20 feet in front of me and stopped....

I Have put im in the freezer for now. I Cant afford to Have him Mounted but I would like to skin him and tan the Hide. I Want to know if Any one here has Skinned one before for the purpose of Preserving the hide. How do I go about it? Any diograms? I have to run into town for a bit (Taking my family to the local Fair) but tomarrow I plan on pulling him back out of hte freezer and letting him thaw out and then skinning him. I hope some one on here has done this and has some information. I have skinned rabbits before and saved the hides but I think its diffrent than a big cat (well kind of a big cat). Also any good ideas on how to tan his hide? I have used Regular Salt for rabbits but Dont know how well it will work with a bobcat hide. When I get back from town Im going to do some more research on this but I would still appreciate some advice or information thanks

Mooseman684 · 10-17-2008, 01:16 PM

You need to Case Skin them out, which takes time, and it should be done as soon as you shoot them, because the hair may slip if you freeze it first rendering it useless. To case them you cut them carefully across the back of the rear legs to the anal area, using a small bladed sharp knife you start carefully skinning the hide away, use side cutters to cut the tail bone which will be removed from the tail skin later. You slowly work your way to the head, turning the Hide Inside out as you go pulling it up around the body. You do NOT slit the Belly, you keep the hide WHOLE ! you work the knife around the legs in front all the way to the end knuckles and carefully separate the Knuckles , leaving the claws on the end of the Skin "Tube". when you get to the head, this is the hardest to skin, and you have to be very careful, skinning the ears to a certain point and cutting the cartilidge, to separate the hide from the body, you skin to the eye lids and carefully cut them loose, and then around the mouth and nose, separating the mouth at the lips, and the nose as far as you can to the end or the Cartilidge. When you get done , you have the whole Body separated from the hide, and the hide is one whole Tube that is inside out. Trim as much flesh as you can from the skin and then salt it heavily, place in a plastic bag in a cool place, the next day, remove it, shake off the damp salt and re-salt it, making sure to pack lots of salt in the ear , and nose cavities and in the feet "Claw knuckle" area, and the tail. Then roll it up , Bag it,and freeze it if you like...done this way it can be Tanned, stuffed and mounted, or just tanned as a hanging fur !
I hope this helps.
Rich

AllAlaskan · 10-17-2008, 04:13 PM

Thanks alot! ok Well its semi frozen at the moment I just got home and read this so I pulled it out. Hope its not ruined

but Im ganna let it thaw back out (Should take to long he wasnt fully frozen) and give it a try. Like I said I have done rabbits but never a bigger animal, well to keep the fur any ways. I have done moose and other game animals but that was just to get to the meat. I appreciate your reply there Moose

Here hopefully in about an hour I will be skinning it. Im not sure exactly how much it weights but I think its about a 15-20 lb cat.

AllAlaskan · 10-17-2008, 04:26 PM

O and the .22 was plenty to drop him. When I shot him He actually looked up so it went in his mouth and and up into his skull through the roof of his mouth killed him instantly. Shocked me. WHen I aimed I aimed for his head cause he was looking strait at me no side shot, And I aimed between the Eyes and pulled the trigger. Well he looked up a lil higher just as I took the shot so It actually nocked one of his teeth out and with right down the throat. Most bizzaar shot I have ever maid. I forgot to Mention that in the Original post.

AllAlaskan · 10-18-2008, 09:44 PM

Ok shes done It took me 4.5 hours to finish it lol. I salted it last night and just pulled it out and used my knife to knock off the old wet salt and just smothered it in more fresh salt. I have one more question though. After this salting, should I continue to do it a couple more times? also Should I freeze it after word or hang it up to where it can dry and hang it like you said or does it still need to be tanned professionally?

Mooseman684 · 10-19-2008, 04:39 AM

You can Re-salt it... You really need a stretcher to dry it on...a stretcher is a split board shaped like a rocket that is about 4-5 ft long and about 3/4 inch thick with rounded edges...and about 6- 8 inches wide when closed...They are different sizes for different critters. when salted good, you slip the hide over the stretcher board, putting the nose on the point carefully pull the hide as long as it will go without tearing....Then you spread the stretcher carefully and nail a 1X2 strip across the bottom to keep it spread...
Let the hide dry completely...It will dry and lock the fur in, but it will still need to be tanned later...Just let it dry completely for several weeks ...
Here is a fox On a stretcher...
MVC-005F.JPG

MVC-006F.JPG
Bottom of the stretcher board .

MVC-007F.JPG
The last pic is a close up of the stretcher board at the nose of the fox, you can see the split and how it is shaped...You also may have to stuff some newspaper in the very bottom of the hide to get it to stretch where the Haunches were...Leave the legs hanging...Oh and it is SKIN side Out ! you can brush the salt off and add more as it is drying...
Rich

AllAlaskan · 10-19-2008, 07:38 AM

Ok so I will still need to have it tanned later. But I think this up coming thursday I will pick up a 1x6 and cut it down the middle and round the edge to a smoothe rounded point like the on you have above. Untill then I will keep salting it. Roughly how much does it cost to have a hide tanned? and what exactly is it they do when the tan a hide?

webs · 10-19-2008, 10:31 AM

Congrats on your Bobcat.I live in Indiana and they are protected here,there is just not enough of them,but, they are making a good come back.I'm not sure what it cost to get a Bobcat hide tanned,but A few years ago I had a Coyote tanned professionally and it cost $65.00.

AllAlaskan · 10-19-2008, 01:13 PM

O ok cool thanks. I wouldnt think A bobcat would be much more if any. I looked up the regs on em a few months ago just in case I came accross one. I really didnt think I would just because I know Lynx up in Alaska are very skiddish and its very rare to see one around any some what populated areas. So I figured the bobcat would be the same.

sell33 · 10-19-2008, 02:00 PM

I thought bobcats were fairly common in Texas?? well either congrats on finding one and good luck tanning it.

AllAlaskan · 10-19-2008, 02:31 PM

^ THey may be lol I have only been here for 6 months so I dont know.

Gopher3604x4 · 10-20-2008, 10:04 AM

All AK, I was calling coyotes from the truck one morning and had the most beutifule bobcat come out of a ceter tree and come sit about a yard from the door of my truck and just stair at me. It was light gray. I couldnt make my self shoot him. we just wathed eachother for about 10 min.

AllAlaskan · 10-20-2008, 06:57 PM

^ thats pretty cool! The We have really been having a problum though lately with Predators killing our cats and pets. If it wasnt for That I really problulby wouldnt have shot that bobcat.

andrew cochran · 10-20-2008, 07:18 PM

Nuthin wrong with protecting your property or getting a a nice trophy!!!

Now if it were me I would get him mounted.

AllAlaskan · 10-20-2008, 07:21 PM

^ Ya I want to get it mounted but I dont have the money

trust me I wish I did!

andrew cochran · 10-20-2008, 07:30 PM

Money's always the issue. Are you sure you can't find a cheap kit to do it your self?

I know cabelas sells a squirrel mounting kit but for bob cat I have no idea.

Send some pics if you can. I don't think that salt needs changed too much. The first time yes but I don't know about a third. I've done a little work with fur. Mostly squirrel and rabbit.

AllAlaskan · 10-21-2008, 02:48 PM

Pics of the hide or hte skinning process?

the_harbinger · 10-21-2008, 05:10 PM

bobcat pelt sells for $165 in az. ant there cosidered varmit.there have been times bobcat has saved my ass from being evicted

andrew cochran · 10-21-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllAlaskan

Pics of the hide or hte skinning process?

Both if ya got em!

AllAlaskan · 10-27-2008, 08:49 AM

I will post em in just a lil bit, Have em Uploading onto my Photobucket.

10-17-2008, 12:56 PM	#1
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	how to skin a bobcat? Ok Just so some on of you dont freek out on me for killing a bobcat I want you to know that I already checked The regs for my area and it IS legal to Shoot them. they are considered a Nongame animal and are open all seasen. ALso My Wifes grandmother who lives just down the road (Her property sarounds ours and This is where I shot it And had permission) said she has seen Bobcats take 2 of her cats in the last year and has had lost a few others to Coyotes. So she and my mother-in-law have already asked me to shoot one if i see it. Well I went Squirrel Hunting this morning (Got 2) and while I was sitting still and scanning the trees this Ran about 20 feet in front of me and stopped.... I Have put im in the freezer for now. I Cant afford to Have him Mounted but I would like to skin him and tan the Hide. I Want to know if Any one here has Skinned one before for the purpose of Preserving the hide. How do I go about it? Any diograms? I have to run into town for a bit (Taking my family to the local Fair) but tomarrow I plan on pulling him back out of hte freezer and letting him thaw out and then skinning him. I hope some one on here has done this and has some information. I have skinned rabbits before and saved the hides but I think its diffrent than a big cat (well kind of a big cat). Also any good ideas on how to tan his hide? I have used Regular Salt for rabbits but Dont know how well it will work with a bobcat hide. When I get back from town Im going to do some more research on this but I would still appreciate some advice or information thanks

10-17-2008, 01:16 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness...Currently in Holiday, Fla. Posts: 11,008 Images: 2	You need to Case Skin them out, which takes time, and it should be done as soon as you shoot them, because the hair may slip if you freeze it first rendering it useless. To case them you cut them carefully across the back of the rear legs to the anal area, using a small bladed sharp knife you start carefully skinning the hide away, use side cutters to cut the tail bone which will be removed from the tail skin later. You slowly work your way to the head, turning the Hide Inside out as you go pulling it up around the body. You do NOT slit the Belly, you keep the hide WHOLE ! you work the knife around the legs in front all the way to the end knuckles and carefully separate the Knuckles , leaving the claws on the end of the Skin "Tube". when you get to the head, this is the hardest to skin, and you have to be very careful, skinning the ears to a certain point and cutting the cartilidge, to separate the hide from the body, you skin to the eye lids and carefully cut them loose, and then around the mouth and nose, separating the mouth at the lips, and the nose as far as you can to the end or the Cartilidge. When you get done , you have the whole Body separated from the hide, and the hide is one whole Tube that is inside out. Trim as much flesh as you can from the skin and then salt it heavily, place in a plastic bag in a cool place, the next day, remove it, shake off the damp salt and re-salt it, making sure to pack lots of salt in the ear , and nose cavities and in the feet "Claw knuckle" area, and the tail. Then roll it up , Bag it,and freeze it if you like...done this way it can be Tanned, stuffed and mounted, or just tanned as a hanging fur ! I hope this helps. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM! Last edited by Mooseman684; 10-17-2008 at 01:19 PM.

10-19-2008, 04:39 AM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness...Currently in Holiday, Fla. Posts: 11,008 Images: 2	You can Re-salt it... You really need a stretcher to dry it on...a stretcher is a split board shaped like a rocket that is about 4-5 ft long and about 3/4 inch thick with rounded edges...and about 6- 8 inches wide when closed...They are different sizes for different critters. when salted good, you slip the hide over the stretcher board, putting the nose on the point carefully pull the hide as long as it will go without tearing....Then you spread the stretcher carefully and nail a 1X2 strip across the bottom to keep it spread... Let the hide dry completely...It will dry and lock the fur in, but it will still need to be tanned later...Just let it dry completely for several weeks ... Here is a fox On a stretcher... MVC-005F.JPG MVC-006F.JPG Bottom of the stretcher board . MVC-007F.JPG The last pic is a close up of the stretcher board at the nose of the fox, you can see the split and how it is shaped...You also may have to stuff some newspaper in the very bottom of the hide to get it to stretch where the Haunches were...Leave the legs hanging...Oh and it is SKIN side Out ! you can brush the salt off and add more as it is drying... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

10-20-2008, 07:18 PM	#14
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,389	Nuthin wrong with protecting your property or getting a a nice trophy!!! Now if it were me I would get him mounted. __________________ I'm sweatin my ass off in Arkansas, Now I'm gonna freeze it off in Alaska!

10-20-2008, 07:30 PM	#16
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,389	Money's always the issue. Are you sure you can't find a cheap kit to do it your self? I know cabelas sells a squirrel mounting kit but for bob cat I have no idea. Send some pics if you can. I don't think that salt needs changed too much. The first time yes but I don't know about a third. I've done a little work with fur. Mostly squirrel and rabbit. __________________ I'm sweatin my ass off in Arkansas, Now I'm gonna freeze it off in Alaska!

10-17-2008, 04:13 PM	#3
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	Thanks alot! ok Well its semi frozen at the moment I just got home and read this so I pulled it out. Hope its not ruined but Im ganna let it thaw back out (Should take to long he wasnt fully frozen) and give it a try. Like I said I have done rabbits but never a bigger animal, well to keep the fur any ways. I have done moose and other game animals but that was just to get to the meat. I appreciate your reply there Moose Here hopefully in about an hour I will be skinning it. Im not sure exactly how much it weights but I think its about a 15-20 lb cat.

10-17-2008, 04:26 PM	#4
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	O and the .22 was plenty to drop him. When I shot him He actually looked up so it went in his mouth and and up into his skull through the roof of his mouth killed him instantly. Shocked me. WHen I aimed I aimed for his head cause he was looking strait at me no side shot, And I aimed between the Eyes and pulled the trigger. Well he looked up a lil higher just as I took the shot so It actually nocked one of his teeth out and with right down the throat. Most bizzaar shot I have ever maid. I forgot to Mention that in the Original post.

10-18-2008, 09:44 PM	#5
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	Ok shes done It took me 4.5 hours to finish it lol. I salted it last night and just pulled it out and used my knife to knock off the old wet salt and just smothered it in more fresh salt. I have one more question though. After this salting, should I continue to do it a couple more times? also Should I freeze it after word or hang it up to where it can dry and hang it like you said or does it still need to be tanned professionally?

10-19-2008, 07:38 AM	#7
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	Ok so I will still need to have it tanned later. But I think this up coming thursday I will pick up a 1x6 and cut it down the middle and round the edge to a smoothe rounded point like the on you have above. Untill then I will keep salting it. Roughly how much does it cost to have a hide tanned? and what exactly is it they do when the tan a hide?

10-19-2008, 10:31 AM	#8
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 275 Images: 3	Congrats on your Bobcat.I live in Indiana and they are protected here,there is just not enough of them,but, they are making a good come back.I'm not sure what it cost to get a Bobcat hide tanned,but A few years ago I had a Coyote tanned professionally and it cost $65.00.

10-19-2008, 01:13 PM	#9
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	O ok cool thanks. I wouldnt think A bobcat would be much more if any. I looked up the regs on em a few months ago just in case I came accross one. I really didnt think I would just because I know Lynx up in Alaska are very skiddish and its very rare to see one around any some what populated areas. So I figured the bobcat would be the same.

10-19-2008, 02:00 PM	#10
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,558	I thought bobcats were fairly common in Texas?? well either congrats on finding one and good luck tanning it.

10-19-2008, 02:31 PM	#11
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	^ THey may be lol I have only been here for 6 months so I dont know.

10-20-2008, 10:04 AM	#12
Gopher3604x4 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 1/2 mi. off the dirt road. Posts: 157	All AK, I was calling coyotes from the truck one morning and had the most beutifule bobcat come out of a ceter tree and come sit about a yard from the door of my truck and just stair at me. It was light gray. I couldnt make my self shoot him. we just wathed eachother for about 10 min.

10-20-2008, 06:57 PM	#13
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	^ thats pretty cool! The We have really been having a problum though lately with Predators killing our cats and pets. If it wasnt for That I really problulby wouldnt have shot that bobcat.

10-20-2008, 07:21 PM	#15
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	^ Ya I want to get it mounted but I dont have the money trust me I wish I did!

10-21-2008, 02:48 PM	#17
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	Pics of the hide or hte skinning process? __________________ Charlie

10-21-2008, 05:10 PM	#18
the_harbinger Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 239	bobcat pelt sells for $165 in az. ant there cosidered varmit.there have been times bobcat has saved my ass from being evicted

10-27-2008, 08:49 AM	#20
AllAlaskan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In HOT North East Texas Missing COLD South Central Alaska Posts: 886	I will post em in just a lil bit, Have em Uploading onto my Photobucket. __________________ Charlie