Properly removing a foxes tail

[the cheater 1]

Another item into the rucksack then John..you,ll have to get Mark to show you how it,s done by hand

[Guest JohnGalway]

When I done them john, I just put table salt down them using a bit of 3mm fencing wire to push it down packing it in.... then hung the tail upside down, just clip/clamp the tip on something.. you get all the moisture out this way.... Butler told me, its very easy saves the meths carry on...

 

I'll try the salt method on the next one Ian I put a cable tie down each tail where the bones used to be, it'll stay nice and flexible I hope.

 

Butler, or the butler??

[T78 4]

When I done them john, I just put table salt down them using a bit of 3mm fencing wire to push it down packing it in.... then hung the tail upside down, just clip/clamp the tip on something.. you get all the moisture out this way.... Butler told me, its very easy saves the meths carry on...

thats what i do when i do them. works a treat.

[Guest JohnGalway]

Has anyone tried both the salt method and the meths method, obviously on different tails, any thoughts on either. Obviously the salt would cut out a lot of messing and expense. Does the meths then have any advantage over the salt?

[Matt 160]

I've used both methods of presevation John.

 

I can tell you that the salt method is easier, cleaner, quicker, and results in a better brush...

 

The other thing is to invest in a 'Tail Stripper' from the States. The plastic ones are light and only cost a couple of dollars.

 

[Guest JohnGalway]

How do you lads get the salt into the bone cavity? I found it rather difficult, and messy, to say the least.

[Matt 160]

One of those little plastic funnels (10p from tesco), and a pouring type bottle. Stop every once in a while and 'tamp' it in with a piece of wire.

[Guest JohnGalway]

I had a funnel but the exit could have been too small to be honest. My other magnificent tools were a cable tie and biro lol. I'll get the proper items tomorrow

[T78 4]

I had a funnel but the exit could have been too small to be honest. My other magnificent tools were a cable tie and biro lol. I'll get the proper items tomorrow

i just pour it in straight out of the tub and use an old chop stick to pack it in!

[Guest JohnGalway]

Chop stick would have good length for the job alright

[Deker 3,478]

Has anyone tried both the salt method and the meths method, obviously on different tails, any thoughts on either. Obviously the salt would cut out a lot of messing and expense. Does the meths then have any advantage over the salt?

 

 

Done both and only ever use the meths now!

 

I find the salt difficult to get all the way down, with the meths I just put the whole tail in a screw top jar, fill will meths and leave for about 10 days.

You can salvage almost all the meths for the next one!!

 

Good wash after treatment (I use shampoo) and a SLOW dry...absolutely brilliant results and no smells either!!

[Trapper 0]

Deker-would the meths treatment work on a full pelt?

[3jackwhite3 2]

to put salt all the way into the tail get a straw like the ones from mcdonalds and put that all the way into the tail with it sticking out the top so you can get it out later and then pour salt down it and when you take the straw out it fills all the tail.

[victor 10]

Well I done my first two tails just now. The first as I said was a cut tail with the bone inside. So I tried LnL's method using two short lengths of dowel and a vice. Some on the bone was sticking out, maybe an inch and a half or so. First try and the bone came away from the vice. I hadn't tightened it enough for fear of crushing the bone and mucking it up entirely. Second go the bone was well and truly squashed in the jaws of the vice One dowel one side of the cut and another the other side, squeezed them together and gave a good pull and away came the tail leaving the bone etc in the vice Easy!

 

 

As you can see I have a very well equipped shed, just no bench Worked all the same though ;)o

 

I headed out to pick up my second fox from last night. After a while searching I found her Slit the skin around the base of the tail, put a dowel each side of the cut on the fox side, squeezed them together and pulled while standing on the foxes legs. Away came the tail so easily I couldn't believe it!

 

Thanks for all the help lads Dowels are now part of my lamping kit

 

At the moment I've the two tails in a five litre plastic water jug, along with some meths. Is this an ok way to preserve the tails? I plan to leave them in there for a few weeks then wash them with washing up liquid when I take them out. Can't remember where I read that method.

 

we do it just the same, but insted of taking the bone, it stays on the fox.

[T78 4]

you can remove it with your bare hands if you get it right.i've never used any tools apart from a knife to take them off!