Coyote skinner

[bronc9239]

Hey guys
Anyone know of someone who does custom skinning
Edmonton area

[Marty S]

Extreme shortage of people willing to skin for a reasonable amount of money, however an over-abundance of folks wanting to gouge/pillage/etc

5 minutes to skin
5 minutes to flesh
5 minutes to board

15 minute job for a typical decent man.

What is it worth???

Snared/Trapped Coyotes

$10.00 a coyote = $40.00 per hour
$12.00 a coyote = $48.00 per hour
$15.00 a coyote = $60.00 per hour
$18.00 a coyote = $72.00 per hour
$20.00 a coyote = $80.00 per hour
$25.00 a coyote = $100.00 per hour


However, a very good skinner will skin in 3 minutes per coyote, flesh in 3 minutes, and board in not more than 3 minutes. = 9 minutes per coyote.

$10.00 = $65.00 per hour
$15.00 = $97.50 per hour
$20.00 = $130.00 per hour
$25.00 = $162.50 per hour

[wolfcrazy]

Extreme shortage of people willing to skin for a reasonable amount of money, however an over-abundance of folks wanting to gouge/pillage/etc

5 minutes to skin
5 minutes to flesh
5 minutes to board

15 minute job for a typical decent man.

What is it worth???

Snared/Trapped Coyotes

$10.00 a coyote = $40.00 per hour
$12.00 a coyote = $48.00 per hour
$15.00 a coyote = $60.00 per hour
$18.00 a coyote = $72.00 per hour
$20.00 a coyote = $80.00 per hour
$25.00 a coyote = $100.00 per hour


However, a very good skinner will skin in 3 minutes per coyote, flesh in 3 minutes, and board in not more than 3 minutes. = 9 minutes per coyote.

$10.00 = $65.00 per hour
$15.00 = $97.50 per hour
$20.00 = $130.00 per hour
$25.00 = $162.50 per hour

I’m sure not many people can put up a coyote in 10 mins all day and do a good job. I think its reasonable to skin 2 - 3 coyotes an hour.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Typical rates are usually $20- $30/ coyote if not shoot with big exit holes requiring sewing.

[Marty S]

I used a number of different people last year, and did plenty myself. Anybody that is serious in the custom business will be able to peel the fast, easy coyotes in 2-3 minutes, and the hard, slow ones in 5-7 minutes.

One guy I used charged $12, another charged $13, another wanted $15.

The year before I paid a guy $20 per hour, and he did coyotes under $8. It just depended upon how much his wife was texting him that day.

Ladies skin coon in the USA for $1.

[Marty S]

But I must add that I have no sympathy for people that blow the living feces out of their coyotes with violent ammo and/or stupid calibres. That kind of stuff first is disgusting, second is revolting, and third, is again disgusting in a different way. Twenty five bucks!!! The industry doesnt even want those skins. Would be nice if they would just collect them and leave them all in the ditch like the guy at Medicine Hat a few years back.

So I must make the distinctions:

- Snared/Trapped - $12

-Clean Shot - $15

-Moderate Damage - $20

Stupid Damage - $25, but instead encourage him to throw all his coyotes in the ditch along a primary highway just outside of city limits to demonstrate his high level of intelligence!!!

[HunterDave]

However, a very good skinner will skin in 3 minutes per coyote, flesh in 3 minutes, and board in not more than 3 minutes. = 9 minutes per coyote.

https://i.imgur.com/5Z3dTdL.gif

[Marty S]

You shoulda come to the convention Davey. We could have learned ya how to skin in not 3 minutes but actually 2 minutes. I have a couple nice little videos on my phone but don’t know how to post it. I think the fastest coyotes were skinned in 1:51, 2:00 and 2:26. Two years ago it was 2:24, 2:35 and 2:45 or so. Even poor little Duncan Abercrombie was right on 3:00 +/-

Funny how you scoffed at poor ole Coyote Skinner from sask when he was on here a few years ago. You could have learned from him.

So we are fast and our put up is excellent cuz we know what to do and how to do it. My put up is second to few, better than anybody’s in some areas and behind on minor irrelevant areas. I do a commercial put up but my fleshing is near perfect and my hair presentation is spectacular, gleaned from many years of a good ole fashioned Gen X learning process which I highly recommend... good ole wholesome blood sweat and tears. Ok maybe no bawling involved!

Lotsa tricks in this trade for the guy who earnestly seems it out. I’m still learning other ways, hopefully better and faster yet.

[HunterDave]

I think that you are confusing entertainment with education. :)

https://i.imgflip.com/2muefl.jpg (https://imgflip.com/i/2muefl)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)

[Marty S]

So what should 15 minutes of work be worth? How bout 20 minutes?

O.P. - I think Davey will put you coyotes up for you! But he'll probly want at least $25 bucks a coyote. I do know of a young feller in Athabasca that will put your fur up. Want to take them there? He's probably saving up to go to chiropractor school??? You might even benefit society supporting him! PM me for name n number.

Oh ya... definitely mark all coyotes before taking to any custom skinner. You protect both yourself from skins getting mixed up, or even switched, and protect him from false allegations. Drill a hole in nose or lip to insert tag.

[bill9044]

I run a few different guys coyotes thru my shop. Every one get a tag. It prevents mass confusion mainly by my brain. And there are guys that are phenomenal at skinning coyotes. It can be hard to find a good skinned that is at a good price point and is trust worthy. If you find those guys are busy. Good luck. Best bet is to train a fella up to your standards. Don't teach them slow poor skinning practices. Good luck. If you can't get your fur put up in time I'm sure there are a buyer or 2 that will gladly buy them whole. P.M. for details. I know a few around the province.

Bill

[Bud light]

Marty at 162$ an hour maybe u should consider skinning coyotes 162 X10 hour day day 1620 a day. Last time I checked u need a damb good education to get that kind of wage. And there is next to no expense custom skinning yotes. But until u skin 4000 a season “ which I have done “ ud find that ur math for skinning coyotes is not reasonable. Coyotes will average over $100 at sale. Twenty five percent of the value of the pelt is not unreasonable. Remember a risings tide lifts all ships.

[tomcat]

coyotes will average over $100 at sale. Twenty five percent of the value of the pelt is not unreasonable. Remember a risings tide lifts all ships. 10/4^^^^^

[Dmedlicott1]

Oh ya... definitely mark all coyotes before taking to any custom skinner. You protect both yourself from skins getting mixed up, or even switched, and protect him from false allegations. Drill a hole in nose or lip to insert tag.[/QUOTE]

What you guys using for a tag?

[Marty S]

Seems like things go up but never down. Hopefully WHEN Coyotes go back down to $25 everybody will be lining up to skin/flesh/stretch for $5 again.

IF you skinned 4000 coyotes a winter (Gosh I certainly hope you aren’t exaggerating) I suspect those were coyotes from yesteryear that were all blowed up. What did you put up a coyote for? I did plenty myself in that $7-$8 range for a certain buyer.

Do note I did make allowance for the extra bad damage. I’m not totally opposed to the $25 rate. Just a raw deal on them pretty little snared gems of the modern era. Don’t even hafta wash them unless somebody dumps them upside down in the fleshing machine.


But I must add that I have no sympathy for people that blow the living feces out of their coyotes with violent ammo and/or stupid calibres.



- Snared/Trapped - $12

-Clean Shot - $15

-Moderate Damage - $20

Stupid Damage - $25...

Also today’s relevant pricing... I am aware of 4 operations putting up Coyotes today for $12 - $18, $18 for bad damage.

[Okotok]

Brings back memories of the early 70s when we would skin mostly Beavers for Danbergers in Peace River. We figured $3.00 an hour was excellent pay! I recall allowing the hides to partially freeze and then laying them on a sheet of plywood out back and scraping with a garden hoe. Fun times! I also know that the smell of weasels on my hands wasn't one of my favourites.

[pikeman06]

Nobody will ever line up to skin a coyote for 5 bux. I wouldn't touch someone else's dog for less than 25. I spend a good hour on mine washing and brushing and fleshing and little things that seem to make for nicer averages. I'm a beaver guy and you couldn't hide frigg all on a beaver. When they were a hundo a pop one wrong move with the knife and you lost 70% of the value.

[HunterDave]

O.P. - I think Davey will put you coyotes up for you! But he'll probly want at least $25 bucks a coyote. I do know of a young feller in Athabasca that will put your fur up. Want to take them there? He's probably saving up to go to chiropractor school??? You might even benefit society supporting him! PM me for name n number.

I’m pretty sure that the young fella in Athabasca is charging $30 per coyote. :lol:

I heard that he does a decent job though.

[Marty S]

Ya!!!

The whole idea is your easy money goes to a good cause. If he goes to school to be a chiropractor, he'll probably be exceptional (runs in the family, impressive crew), therefore you will be supporting a great cause and he will benefit society, likely paying significant taxes the rest of his life, which do help make this country go round, and make people feel all better.

Maybe he'll move to Westlock Davey and he could be your personal cruncher someday!

[Bud light]

Skinned for a guy last year that didn’t want to pay fir the skinning up front. We agreed on a 1/3 deal. But I have to wait till the yotes sell and wait till he gets his money.

[Jtstahl]

The only way I could see myself making a deal like that is if u know the guy. I’m looking to get into custom skinning aswell. Haven’t really advertised that I want to. But it has crossed my mind. If there’s anyone still willing to talk, PM me.

P.s Marty, good luck finding a guy who does it under $20. Sure u might suck him into doing it for a year. But he will most likely get fed up and just stop, or just get smart and stop. Which ever the case may be. There are guys out there that pay $25 to $30 depending on the work. And they don’t bitch and complain either.. Especially with coyote prices being what they are. I think, everyone should live by this word, if u have a problem paying what guys are asking, do it yourself.


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[AlbertaAl]

The only way I could see myself making a deal like that is if u know the guy. I’m looking to get into custom skinning aswell. Haven’t really advertised that I want to. But it has crossed my mind. If there’s anyone still willing to talk, PM me.

P.s Marty, good luck finding a guy who does it under $20. Sure u might suck him into doing it for a year. But he will most likely get fed up and just stop, or just get smart and stop. Which ever the case may be. There are guys out there that pay $25 to $30 depending on the work. And they don’t bitch and complain either.. Especially with coyote prices being what they are. I think, everyone should live by this word, if u have a problem paying what guys are asking, do it yourself.


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Well said... $30 each is where it starts + extra cost for fixing damage

[heretohunt]

Brings back memories of the early 70s when we would skin mostly Beavers for Danbergers in Peace River. We figured $3.00 an hour was excellent pay! I recall allowing the hides to partially freeze and then laying them on a sheet of plywood out back and scraping with a garden hoe. Fun times! I also know that the smell of weasels on my hands wasn't one of my favourites.

The whole Danbergers experience is a treasured memory. He was a character, a little rough around the edges though.

[heretohunt]

My coyote skinning game clearly needs a lot of improvement. Could one of you more seasoned skinners put on a clinic?

[pikeslayer22]

Well said... $30 each is where it starts + extra cost for fixing damage
I’d leave it lay befor paying 30!!!

[Gboe8]

30$ holy I couldn’t imagine that’s insane. Maybe I need to quit my day job and start skinning coyotes full time. But if people are willing to pay that. Then good on you.

[nube]

30$ holy I couldn’t imagine that’s insane. Maybe I need to quit my day job and start skinning coyotes full time. But if people are willing to pay that. Then good on you.

x2

[HunterDave]

I get a kick out of guys that pay someone $15 to put up their coyotes half assed and think that they are somehow ahead by not paying someone that knows what they are doing $30 to do a good job. Great, they just did a 3 minute fleshing job on a Yote potentially worth $100 and turned it into a $80 pelt. In the end you are out $35 as opposed to the $30 that it would have cost you to get it done right. Not such a great business plan.

[H380]

Just cause a guy charges $30 to put up a coyote doesnt mean he is better than a $20 skinner .. for $30 he better be good . :budo:

[Jtstahl]

I know 4 different guys who put up coyotes for $30 a piece. Between the 4 of them they put up close to 700 coyotes a year from trappers all across Alberta. Yes! The Trappers deliver them right to the spot. And when the pick them up, they pay. And it’s all repeat customers. So u guys might think it’s unrealistic. But Trappers pay good money to get there coyotes done by professionals. Like Dave mentioned, most cases you get what u pay for.

It’s the same with buying whole coyotes. I’d say buying whole coyotes at $50 a piece isn’t worth it anymore. But there’s guys paying that. So it doesn’t matter how you look at it, paying $50 for a whole coyote or $30 to get it skinned. In the end if your not willing to dish out the money be prepared to get your hands dirty.


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[pikeslayer22]

Or you pay 10 and get the same job done or better than the guy charging 30!

[tikka250]

I happen to be one of those guys paying way to much for skinning and can explain why.
I am paying 30% of what I make at auction.
First of all this is not a major custom guy but a friend who does amazing work that offered to skin for me.
I was only ever able to sell for $30 (avg) to local buyers buying dogs whole so when my friend offered a deal to put more money in both our pockets I jumped at the chance. Im sure if I looked around I could find a Skinner for less but I figure knowing I am getting top quality work from skinning to sewing is worth something.

[HunterDave]

Or you pay 10 and get the same job done or better than the guy charging 30!

Yup, it works both ways, but based on what I've seen that's not usually the case. There was a guy custom skinning in Westlock that was charging $30 per and from everything that I've heard he was terrible. Word travels fast and I don't think that he's doing it anymore. In most cases though you get what you pay for and if you want the bare minimum then that's what it costs. If you want better than just meeting the auction average then that's going to cost you a little more because it's going to take the skinner a little longer to do things right. I put up all of my own fur but if I were paying someone to put my coyotes up I wouldn't be happy with a mediocre job.

[pikeslayer22]

The guys I am referring to have more than one top lot that they have put up. With the price of fuel and trapping equipment these days why would anyone trap might as well put up fur. I am painfully slow. And I can put up 3 an hour short of washing. That would be 90 an hour!

[philintheblank]

The price of a service is all relative to what people are willing to pay. I have skinned a few coyotes for people who lived near by or were friends of friends. i charged them $40 becuase it was more of a hassel that anything and i already have a fulltime job. I also skinned a small black bear for a guy for $150.

You name your price and people choose to pay it. I am deffinately not gods gift to skinning and got the price i offered, the price a guy charges does not always equate to skill.

[Marty S]

$55 anyone???

55 going 60????

You will certainly get the goodest good job then?

[Torkdiesel]

$20-25 is fair in my opinion, $30 seems a little high but if that’s what they get in your area then I guess that’s what you pay.

$10 each for the local ranch hand likely doesn’t happen too often these days with the popularity of social media and the fact you can’t bull **** them into thinking that’s good money these days.

Regardless almost anybody is going to get the most they absolutely can for the job they’re doing. Certainly can’t blame them.

[Marty S]

My whole point is to make people aware of their options, in hopes that folks aren't being taken advantage of. In doing so, it is quite possible that the odd guy that is over charging for custom skinning might get a little hot under the collar.


So currently, as of today, I am now aware of 7 guys/outfits that are in the $15 a coyote range, and they for the most part do very good work. I can't speak for them all. I am currently using a guy at $13 a coyote that is supposed to know what he is doing, and I'll be looking closely at his work and correct things if necessary. Snared coyotes I might mention, I'll pay him a premium for shot goods according to he extent of damage.

Generally, the better a man is at his work, the faster he can do his work, and the better his work will be... and the less he will have to charge.

[calgarychef]

My whole point is to make people aware of their options, in hopes that folks aren't being taken advantage of. In doing so, it is quite possible that the odd guy that is over charging for custom skinning might get a little hot under the collar.


So currently, as of today, I am now aware of 7 guys/outfits that are in the $15 a coyote range, and they for the most part do very good work. I can't speak for them all. I am currently using a guy at $13 a coyote that is supposed to know what he is doing, and I'll be looking closely at his work and correct things if necessary. Snared coyotes I might mention, I'll pay him a premium for shot goods according to he extent of damage.

Generally, the better a man is at his work, the faster he can do his work, and the better his work will be... and the less he will have to charge.

😜. When I got better and faster at my work I got paid more not less.

[Marty S]

Hourly wage, I suspect?

Different concept than piecework. The piecework guy can charge less as he gets better cuz he's faster and gets way more pieces done per hour than the less skilled.

[goose slayer10]

Hourly wage, I suspect?

Different concept than piecework. The piecework guy can charge less as he gets better cuz he's faster and gets way more pieces done per hour than the less skilled.

Marty brings up a good point, plus he is also probably providing this guy with many a coyote..if a skinner is able to skin a lot of coyotes for $15 dollars per...or not a lot of coyotes for $20 per..I kinda think he would take the 15. It's different for say 50 or so coyotes a year..this at 15 dollars is hardly worth the time..so maybe the skinner charges more to make it worth while. where as 500-1000 coyotes per year well $15 dollars per doesn't seem so bad anymore. plus it doesn't burn the guy who is having them skinned...$20 per is a lot of cash over that many dawgs.


Tbh people seem to be getting worked up about wanting to be right (as per usual). Pay the guy what he is asking to skin..or skin it yourself...or find someone else.

[gman1978]

Is the skinner really charging 30 bucks for good snared coyotes?? Maybe for the 30-06 deer season gutless method coyote. Or coyotes riding in the back of the farm truck for a week full of matted straw and green bellies. If your coyotes are snared and looked after I bet the charge is less. I could be wrong but 30 bucks seems like a awful lot for a clean snared coyote.

[Bud light]

Don’t u really think of a skinner gets real good at his job that he , the skinner should get rewarded same as the trapper. If the trapper catches 2 coyotes per ten traps versus someone that catches 8 per ten traps. The more experienced trapper is going to walk away with more money and rightfully so. I think the same goes for the skinners. And yes more money does not mean a better job. It’s up to the trapper to make sure he’s getting what he paid for. And if he don’t like it, walk away.

[Marty S]

1 coyote per hour = $15 to $20 /hr

4 coyotes per hour = $60 to $80 /hr


That's already happening. The better the skinner gets, the more he makes.



Good skinners both learn to work fast and also do excellent work. The best guy that I know of is very fast and his put up is better than anybody that I know of in western Canada. The reason his put up is better than everybody else's is because he does all that is necessary very well, and he is more knowledgable than anybody else out there and does extra things that nobody else knows to do. I'm just being blunt and right to the point... it's the Dutch upbringing, I'm sure.

And I do know a lot of people!

What say you Davey? What say you?

[AlbertaAl]

$30 per coyote is not just for skinning.
Price would include the process of fleshing...washing... sewing, if needed... stretching the pelt... taking off the strectcher and turning the pelt and nailing back onto the stretcher.. brushing out the dry pelt...and disposing the carcass.
The finished pelt is clean and grease-free.
The pelt, lips, nose and ears are nicely positioned and trimmed up.

I've seen the $13. jobs with the heads mangled and greasy fur.

[HunterDave]

I've seen the $13. jobs with the heads mangled and greasy fur.

I've seen similar with $15 skin jobs with fat dripping off the hide. In fact, I spent some time in a well known skinner's shack. "You don't have to do that, most of it will come off in the washing machine." Yeah, he did them quickly (not as fast as 9 minutes....lol) but his work was merely good enough IMO. When you gave his pelts a flick they sounded stiff like cardboard from not fleshing nearly enough. Mine sound like wax paper. Considering that that is the first thing that the grader does to help determine what grade to give it, I think that's just a little bit important, but everyone has their standards.

The point that I'll make is that you are no farther ahead by cheaping out on getting your coyotes put up. It's important. If you have a choice between a $15 skinner who'll do a half fast job and a $30 skinner that will take the time to do things well you're going to come out ahead with higher grades. If you can find a $15 skinner that does a $30 job you had better treat him well because they are rare.

I have the luxury of having the time to put up all my own fur so I'll pay myself $15 per plus the extra $20 that I'll get in better grades. :)

[pikeslayer22]

I see Canada goose jackets boycotted in China stocks dropped 17%. That 30$ you pay the skinner might be hard to recoup!

[HunterDave]

I see Canada goose jackets boycotted in China stocks dropped 17%. That 30$ you pay the skinner might be hard to recoup!

I zoned in on that story as well. One store in Hong Kong and one in Beijing trying to break ground into China. It’d be outstanding to get into the HUGE Chinese market but may be a setback for now. It doesn’t sound like the end of the world but it sure would be nice to tap into that market.

[pikeslayer22]

No not the end of the world but coyote is the only fur paying now. The more you pay to put up the more you need to make to break even. Wasn’t that long ago coyotes were under 50$ and they will be back to that sooner or later. Canada goose is a major player

[HunterDave]

Coyote trim isn’t going to cool off anytime soon IMO. I was watching the Grey cup and one of the big sponsors was a parka fur trim company (trying to remember their name:sign0161:). Anyway, I did a google search and not only did I find that company but also well known names like Woods and Woolrich selling coyote fur trim. It would appear to me that due to CG success, other manufacturers are joining in on the coyote trim game as well.

I’m guessing that any concern about breaking even by trapping coyotes must be due to owning a Trapline because there’s not a lot of overhead for me as a Resident Trapper......maybe one coyote per week?

[pikeslayer22]

I will probably never break even on my registered line unless fur takes a huge jump. Loggers moved in and pretty much decimated my little line.

[goose slayer10]

Coyote trim isn’t going to cool off anytime soon IMO. I was watching the Grey cup and one of the big sponsors was a parka fur trim company (trying to remember their name:sign0161:). ?

I think you're thinking "Nobis" looks like they make nice stuff

[HunterDave]

I think you're thinking "Nobis" looks like they make nice stuff

Yup, that’s them.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Canad goose was just crying for for more yotes this fall per info from NAFA, Suspect coyotes will still stay at good prices for few years regardless of the computer show in Vancouver.

[Redcoat27]

$30 per coyote is not just for skinning.
Price would include the process of fleshing...washing... sewing, if needed... stretching the pelt... taking off the strectcher and turning the pelt and nailing back onto the stretcher.. brushing out the dry pelt...and disposing the carcass.
The finished pelt is clean and grease-free.
The pelt, lips, nose and ears are nicely positioned and trimmed up.

I've seen the $13. jobs with the heads mangled and greasy fur.

Are you doing any custom skinning. Got a call on a friend who arrowed one. I am not in position to help him out.pm with details. Thanks

[AlbertaAl]

Are you doing any custom skinning. Got a call on a friend who arrowed one. I am not in position to help him out.pm with details. Thanks

I am not in the business of processing coyotes, just do my own.

[kingrat]

I've done custom processing for years and wouldnt dream of charging less than the 20 I do. You get skinned, fleshed,ears done, sewed if need be, washed, combed etc. Basically I do all your dirty work as if they were mine.

[CoyoteTrapper85]

Just wondering how guys mark there coyotes when someone else is skinning I've heard horror stories of people swapping out people's coyotes when skinning them any info would be great

[pikeslayer22]

Just wondering how guys mark there coyotes when someone else is skinning I've heard horror stories of people swapping out people's coyotes when skinning them any info would be great
Zip tie in the ear. Make sure no one else they are skinning for have the same colour

[coyote_man]

Zip tie in the ear. Make sure no one else they are skinning for have the same colour

Sorry but this is bad advice to give out to someone wanting to make sure they get their own coyotes back.A dishonest skinner can go to any hardware store to match the color.You can get zip ties that are numbered and a bit more trouble to duplicate.Marty used to carry the above mentioned tags but a bit of a heads up as they can snap off in cold conditions or with rough handling. I used them with a hole through nose for an honest but unorganized skinner.