So I have several beaver tails frozen from this past trapping season and would like to make a beavertail grip for my recurve. Anybody have any experience making one from scratch and be willing to give me some pointers? Thanks
I bumped up a tutorial for you about installing Beavertail grips by Big Jim.
It does not cover skinning and tanning etc.But should be of help to you when installing on your bow once you get them skinned out.
So, I won't be much help, but I'm interested as well. I have a tail in the freezer from a road kill and the skinning/tanning is my issue (as it's the first step).
I believe there was an article in a past issue of Traditional Bow Hunter magazine. I've been searching past issues unsuccessfully.
Maybe the YouBoob has something in that regard.
And there it is:
How to tan a beaver tail (on the Google).
I do know that they are a pain in the A$$ to skin. I have a half dozen in the freezer waiting to tan that I skinned this year. Crazy thing about them is they smell like you are skinning a fish.
I have never attempted to tan a beaver tail. I can tell you that the professionals do a great job... most of the time.
It is funny how some batches turn out perfect, yet others are considerably more difficult to work. All of my tails at this time come from the same fur buyer and are tanned by the same tannery.
In the past, I received them from a different source and the tannery was also different... Same result. Go figure.
good luck, BigJim