ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1920. 93 
Handling of Skins. 
Skinning.—Fox skins are removed much in the same manner as those of 
most fur-bearing animals that are prepared for the market. The tail is split 
for a few inches on the lower side, the cut beginning at the anus; cuts are 
then made along the inner side of each hind leg, these incisions extending 
from the heel (the lower end of the metatarsal bones) to the anus. The pelt 
is first loosened around the base of the tail, the tail is then pulled from 
its sheath of skin, and the entire pelt is removed by pushing it loose from the 
fat and flesh with the fingers, a knife being used only about the head. After 
the skin has been loosened from the posterior part of the body it is simply 
everted over the head, so that the nose is the last part to be severed. The 
forelegs are pulled out of the skin without any cutting, except where a knife 
may be needed to separate the pelt from the tougher subcutaneous tissues. 
While the skin is being drawn off there is some danger of tearing it or of 
forcing a finger through it, but such holes are usually the result of haste or 
carelessness. However, tears are sometimes made by the best of skinners, and 
in a large catch it may be difficult to secure perfect work throughout. Natu- 
rally, the pressure is always toward better workmanship. 
After the skin has been entirely removed by the method outlined above, it is 
turned right side out and hung up on a peg or nail. When the work of the 
evening is over, the skins are counted, but are left in the trap building until 
ready for cleaning and stretching; the skins must be kept as cool as possible 
during this time. 
During the first few killings of the season it is advisable to examine the 
flesh side of the skins, as the color found there is a good guide to the degree of 
primeness of the furs as a whole. The earliest skins may be found to be rather 
dark on the flesh side because of the roots of the growing hair and fur. This 
color fades as the season advances. While the writer has seen skins having 
what appeared to be fully prime pelage with the flesh side quite dark, it is not 
advisable to take any large number of skihs during that part of the season 
when the bluish color on the flesh side of the skin is most pronounced. 
The flesh side again darkens with the approach of unprimeness, but it has 
been observed on St. George Island that felted patches and rubbed spots are the 
first indication of the change. The fact that decision must be made before the 
fox is killed makes this a valuable point. 
Cleaning—The morning after the trapping the skins are taken to another 
building where the cleaning, stretching, and drying is done. The more skillful 
men sit in a row behind a beam which is placed in a horizontal position about 2 
feet above the floor. A nail or peg is fixed in the beam opposite each man. 
The skin is turned flesh side out, the nose is placed over the peg and all the 
fat and flesh is removed with a very sharp skinning knife having a curved 
blade about 6 inches in length. The tail is split and all the fatty tissue removed 
from it; the forelegs can be cleaned without splitting. The work described 
here requires genuine skill with the knife. 
After the pelt has been thus cleaned it is taken by one of the other workmen 
who turns the skin, rubs dry corn meal through the fur for the purpose of 
removing free grease or dampness, and then shakes it out. It is now turned 
again and searched for holes and if any are found they are sewed up. Small 
sticks are then inserted within the skin of the forelegs and bound in place; the 
tail is spread and bound round a larger stick and the skin is then ready for 
the stretching frame. 
Stretching—The stretching frame is a very simple arrangement of two light 
boards (1-inch material is usually used) put together on an acute angle, the 
length of the sides being in the neighborhood of 4 feet. The boards are joined 
edgewise, the nails of the joint being carefully toed; no third piece enters into 
the construction. After the joint has been secured, the boards are planed so 
that the edges form a smooth wedge with a rounded point. Properly made 
frames will last many years. 
The skin is drawn on by inserting the smaller end of the frame in the opening 
across the hind legs and then slowly forcing it down the frame until the nose 
fits snugly. The entire surface of the pelt is then gently stretched downward 
with the palms of the workman’s hands, and when it is well in place the hind 
legs are spread and bound to the sides of the frame in the manner shown in 
figure 3. The lips have been previously stitched together to prevent distor- 
tion of that part of the skin, and after the whole pelt has been well rubbed with 
corn meal it is set up for drying. 
