This is topic Air Skinning in forum Predator forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Jay Nistetter (Member # 140) on August 06, 2011, 09:02 AM:
Is it worth the effort?
Would it work good enough at the end of the day when the coyotes are stiff?
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on August 06, 2011, 09:28 AM:
Not worth it Jay.
Better to get a portable skinning machine.
Just start them, attach the legs and hit the button.
The winch does the hard part.
I built one that mounts on my Reese Hitch for under $200 including the 12 volt winch.
I also have one that I use in the garage with an AC winch. Work smarter, not harder these days for me.
Posted by JD (Member # 768) on August 06, 2011, 09:58 AM:
Steve, what did you buy for your truck, where?
edit to say......I see you said "built" I thought it said "bought" sorry.
How bout a picture or 2.
[ August 06, 2011, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: JD ]
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on August 06, 2011, 10:03 AM:
I just built my own, out of 11/2" ID water pipe and 1 1/4 OD pipe for an extendable use for coyotes/cats as you need about 12 feet to do them right. Winch from Cableas 2000#, and a couple vise grips for clamping the hide/feet. Slides right into my reese hitch with tail gate down so i can use it as a table in the field.
Posted by Jay Nistetter (Member # 140) on August 06, 2011, 10:12 AM:
Thanks Steve. I have a skinning rack for my Reese reciever with a boat winch on it that I have used. Winch doesn't really make it faster than horsing the hide off but it is a little easier.
Last time I used it, I had misplaced the golf ball and had to wad up a rag. Worked just as well.
Doggone things are just not worth the effort for coyotes here in AZ but once in awhile I skin one anyway and it usually sits in the freezer until I throw it away.
Generally I use it only for cats and badgers but haven't called a badger in 2 years now and only 3 cats.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 06, 2011, 10:38 AM:
I don't know? If I were pulling 8 or 10 prime hides every day, I guess the gear would be worth the hassle? Great, for those that are into it. I watched a guy pull six mulie bucks in Colorado once, kinda the same idea, particularly the golf ball, but you need two pick ups. Definitely saved time.
good hunting. LB
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on August 06, 2011, 10:39 AM:
I agree with Steve, the compressed air is no help. I built several skinning machines. I enclosed pics of the one I built for Randy and Q to take to Tx. I built one very similar for myself. I use an atv winch and power it with a 12v trolling motor when in the receiver hitch. It also has a stand it sets in in the barn for use there. Here are some pics. I took my ideas from Steves machine and the guy who puts on the skinning demos at NTA conventions.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 06, 2011, 10:49 AM:
What sort of switch are you using, Geordie? I assume a momentary contact push button or something foot activated?
gh....lb
edit: as far as the air, I think it is going to cause more damage on a hide already damaged if you are not very careful. No real control.
[ August 06, 2011, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by 22-250 (Member # 36) on August 06, 2011, 12:11 PM:
How a video the machine in action?
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on August 06, 2011, 01:44 PM:
Lb, it is just the switch that comes with the winch. I would like a foot control, but haven't come across one for the right money.
Sorry, but no video available, but Randy may have some pics of his in use.
I use mine on everything from frozen coyotes to coons. Cats will get hooked to the vice grips, but I basically use the machine as another set of hands, not a hard pull. For coons, I just use the winch to keep the animal at a good working height. The only down fall is animals that have been hit in the spine. With those, more time and finess, and less hard pulling.
As far as the compressed air, it just seemed to follow the area of least resistance. It did nothing in the flanks and the shoulder area, which are the toughest anyway.
Posted by RagnCajn (Member # 879) on August 06, 2011, 02:27 PM:
Geordie, have you considered the dimmer switches from the seventies that were used in vehicles.Mounted to the floor board on the left side. continuous on or continuous off with each depression.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/dimmer-switch/p2005016.jcwx?filterid=j1
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on August 06, 2011, 04:08 PM:
You would have to double tap the switch each time.. Look into the foot control from the old sewing machines or the foot control used for dremel tools....
Posted by Jay Nistetter (Member # 140) on August 06, 2011, 05:08 PM:
Just atched a couple youtube videos on using an air gun and looked like it popped the skin free fairly easy BUT that's all they showed making a coyote balloon up. Didn't show any actual skinning. Think I'll just stick to my fur guns on coyotes.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on August 06, 2011, 06:41 PM:
Geordie, I'll look Monday but I'm pretty sure I have a foot switch from one of my soldering irons I'll send you. Just remind me.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 07, 2011, 10:23 AM:
Agree with everyone else on the air skinning. I've got an onboar air setup on my Jeep for airing up the tires after a day of wheeling or reseating a bead when needed. So, I've tried it. Just like Geordie said - it doesn't do anything for the head or make pulling over the shoulders any easier and that's where all the time goes anyway.
- DAA
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on August 07, 2011, 07:12 PM:
Thanks Tom.....I'll remind you. lol
Posted by 3 Toes (Member # 1327) on August 08, 2011, 06:50 AM:
Cross J, Got your message the other day and I'm not ignoring you. It's just that you didn't leave your number so I could call you back. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Possumal (Member # 823) on August 08, 2011, 07:39 AM:
Leonard, I have watched my soninlaw skin a lot of big whitetails with his 4WD jeep, a golf ball, and a chain, with the deer hanging on a gambrel suspended from a heavy hook and chain mounted through the double 2 x 10 of his garage door header. His dog tried to help to no avail. (lol). He did let me drive his jeep to put slight pressure as he needed it.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on August 08, 2011, 08:16 AM:
Geordie I found one, send me your shipping addy.
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