Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Why, I otter...

Fuzzy was he?

You otter give 'em a what fur!

And continues to be, even. It wasn't anything like flying a chopper while getting shot at, but leaning down and out of the truck with the door propped open against the wind with left foot/leg, while on a turn, in the passing lane on the highway and snatching him barehanded on the go might've impressed someone. Maybe.

That someone ain't gonna' be Mrs. KG though, unless I get the blood off her seat before her next ride!

Gonna tan it? It's a beaut.

That's my hope. I'm going to see about calling F&G and see if I can get a tag. A buddy did that with a fisher cat. Said they generally didn't like folks grabbing roadkill, but let him slide. He'd just been killed. No rigor and blood was still running (don't ask me how I know that, but suffice it to say I got a few interesting looks as I walked into the office...)

Just got off the phone with an EPO Sgt., and he said I was all set, just to mention his name and call F&W Monday for a tag.

Anyone have a good contact/recommendation for case tanning furs, I'd appreciate it. Preferably in New England, but shipping isn't that big of an issue. As the bastards have essentially taken trapping away from us in MA, I don't have the foggiest idea about this stuff. Appreciate any help.

That's a big one, compared to the river otters I saw in CA. Give a short whistle they will often come to investigate.

Am I the only one who was expecting a 3 stooges vid?

Good snag, KG.

I've seen a few over the years, always in rivers. I know where there's a small population of them along a stretch of river near me.



I also managed to capture a couple of amorous sea otters in SE Alaska that I sneaked up on and caught doing the nasty (not my intent but when he jumped her I thought, WTH, it's a NG moment... ) .

The males are mean SOBs, biting and scratching their ladies while doing their thing. That one lady otter saw me, and hauled tail for the water. Her 'man', persistent as ever, was dragged with her, literally hanging on to her and leaving drag marks in the rocky beach...

I tan my own, but never seem to get the suppleness of a pro tanning outfit. Moyle's has a good reputation. Go to trapperman.com and start a thread. Our trappin' forum below has good people - not much traffic tho.

I'd dearly love to, really I would, but as my current residence is a condo/loft, with one large room, that ain't gonna' happen. I do appreciate the input very much, however, and thanks.

On a related note, I told the wife recently that we're moving soon. I need some land, a garage, a basement and a barn. It's nice, but I'm tired of being cramped up in that damned place.

KG what have you done with the otter ie is it in the freezer or cold storage to preserve the fur,or did you skin it and put it in cold storage?

I put some ice on it and it's currently in my truck in a box in the garage. Grabbed him 3 hours ago on my way to work. What I'd like to do is simply put him in my game freezer at home whole, and after getting the tag(s), send him as is to someone I'll happily pay to case skin and tan for me. I don't want to botch the job. I've skinned a few critters in my day, including large critters like bear, but never case skinned anything. Any suggestions gratefully accepted, and thank you.

not that hard just take your time and use a small blade.

You are doing it right,cool it off and freeze it.Don't know if this would do any good,but,just a suggestion put the otter in panty hose then freeze it. It may make it easier to skin,but again it's a suggestion.

Thanks kindly, sir. I appreciate the advice.

You're welcome.

Not sayin' otters are mean just because they can rip your face off and eat before you say 'Dayum!'. But you gotta give 'em credit for attitude...they eat 'gators.

I didn't know that. The ones I've seen eating were into fish, happily eating their heads off. That is an impressive critter, and to see then swim and maneuver underwater is an amazing thing. They're pretty well rounded little badasses. Here's a monkey that learned that the h-a-r-d way.