When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary...oh, wait...why I am quoting the Declaration of Independence??
Anyway, as I was saying, sometimes things don't always work the way you plan...take yesterday for example. I was going to mow the pasture (get started on the job at anyrate). Instead, I ended up finding out that I can drive the Caddillac afterall, and butchering the rest of my chickens. I had ten left, a coon having gotten in and massacred the other seven. With a little help in deciding from my Mum, I figured I might as well butcher the remaining ones so I didn't just feed them to the coons.
Nevertheless...I decided that I shall keep right on trapping and killing coons. That way when I get more chickens (which is the plan--after I get a better coop), I won't have to worry about them as much.
I made a spur of the moment decision either last night after I went to bed, or this morning before I crawled out of bed, that I was going to skin and tan the hide of the next one I caught. There were several factors leading to that--first, I just thought it would be neat if I could, second, I've been asked if I were going to make a coonskin cap out of any of them, and third, I got told yesterday that I am a "jack of all trades"--to which I responded, "I try to be!" Somehow, all those illogical reasons compounded into a nutty desire to skin out and tan a coon...
I haven't the supplies to finish the job (yet), but the coon is now skinned and the hide safely tucked in the fridge. *Warning...if you think coons are "cute" and "adorable" and "innocent" don't look at the following pictures. If it helps any, the thing didn't smell sweet. (My hands still smell rather "coonish".)
I sharpened my knife before I started, but by the time I got done, it needed to be sharpened again.
Anyway, as I was saying, sometimes things don't always work the way you plan...take yesterday for example. I was going to mow the pasture (get started on the job at anyrate). Instead, I ended up finding out that I can drive the Caddillac afterall, and butchering the rest of my chickens. I had ten left, a coon having gotten in and massacred the other seven. With a little help in deciding from my Mum, I figured I might as well butcher the remaining ones so I didn't just feed them to the coons.
Nevertheless...I decided that I shall keep right on trapping and killing coons. That way when I get more chickens (which is the plan--after I get a better coop), I won't have to worry about them as much.
I made a spur of the moment decision either last night after I went to bed, or this morning before I crawled out of bed, that I was going to skin and tan the hide of the next one I caught. There were several factors leading to that--first, I just thought it would be neat if I could, second, I've been asked if I were going to make a coonskin cap out of any of them, and third, I got told yesterday that I am a "jack of all trades"--to which I responded, "I try to be!" Somehow, all those illogical reasons compounded into a nutty desire to skin out and tan a coon...
I haven't the supplies to finish the job (yet), but the coon is now skinned and the hide safely tucked in the fridge. *Warning...if you think coons are "cute" and "adorable" and "innocent" don't look at the following pictures. If it helps any, the thing didn't smell sweet. (My hands still smell rather "coonish".)
I sharpened my knife before I started, but by the time I got done, it needed to be sharpened again.
The initial set-up. I soon moved it...
First step: Cut around the ankles...
Second step: Cut down to the "ahem"....
Hat picture...I think I need to hunt up another buzzard feather.
Step three: Start "taking his pants off" as Daddy would say. :D
Step four: Split him down the belly...
Continue peeling the hide back....
Nasty critter...
Savannah said, right before she took this one: "They're going to call you 'the Butcher'! (Look over here and smile!)"
Take a hand full and pull!!
Getting ready to trim off the head. The ones Daddy has done he kept the hide from the top half of the head. I decided not to--partly because my knife was so dull and partly because I wasn't sure how to go about it.
The tail is the only thing left attached...
Not any more!!
All done! (No, that is not a bullet hole. I'm actually pleased that I only poked one hole in the beast's hide!)
My clothes went straight into the washer when I came in.
Now, I'm off...I'm doing the grocery shoping today (both human and bovine)...so I have a busy afternoon in store. See ya!
Now, I'm off...I'm doing the grocery shoping today (both human and bovine)...so I have a busy afternoon in store. See ya!
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