The all-day clinic was designed to teach trappers how to handle fur from the time it is taken from a trap until it is presented to a buyer. Middelstadt, who has been trapping and skinning animals for 40 years, along with Bill Wivoda, owner of Arctic Raw Fur Co., served as instructors for the seven-hour workshop.

Middelstadt and Wivoda first told the class to treat the animals they trap or hunt with respect and to use as much of an animal as possible.

“If you’re going to kill something, treat it correctly and don’t waste it,” Wivoda said.

From there, Middelstadt and Wivoda went on to teach trappers the finer points of skinning, fleshing, stretching and drying the hides of beaver, marten, fox, lynx and wolves.

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It’s a busy time for this guy during trapping season, since many trappers no longer have the time or resources to devote to preparing all of their furs.

Wilson, 38, skins and fleshes the carcasses of trapped animals, getting the furs ready for buyers from Canada who in turn sell them to European and Asian markets.

“I pretty much do them all: coyote, muskrat, beaver, basically every animal in this area. I do several thousand every year,” he said, adding he’s been at it for more than 12 years.

I would challenge any beginning trapper to devote some time to learning the art of skinning, stretching and fleshing.  I’d also encourage one to participate in selling their fur at a local auction.  Catching an animal in the field and processing its pelt for market allows the trapper to capture the entire experience first hand.  In my opinion, processing your own pelts makes trapping a more meaningful experience.

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