Wyo Hunter,

You need more traps!!!

I know the cages are expensive but running three is going to be an excercise in frustration (in my opinion). Get Mercer or Bob Small to build you a dozen or better yet 4dz nestable traps and you will recoup your money with the first fur check.

Be carful with ...

I have.

Get Mercer Lawing's video "Caging Bobcats Guaranteed Success." It will get you going in the right direction.

How many traps do you have?
Are you getting refusals?
How are you making your sets?

An argument can be made for doing it before or after fleshing depending on the species.
I only wash my canines. Coyote and fox. Cats all get choked down and dry cleaned with Borax.

If you wash them before you flesh then you allow the leather to dry some as your fleshing and working Borax in.

If ...

I don’t turn fur other than once I’m done fleshing. I have never had a fur slip from putting them on the stretcher after fleshing fur side. I do not wait until they are “crinkly” or grocery bag dry to turn them. I do use a good dusting of Borax and I do like in arid AZ. If you pull the arms right ...

WOW! Nice cats. Those should bring some real nice averages this year.
That is just about how I do it as well. A picture says a 1000 words.

For the back legs use a good wood stretcher and pin the inside seams to the centerboard where they almost touch (left and right leg) or overlap. When skinning if you cut into the white just a little it will give the impression of a belly that is 10” longer when you put it up.

For the front legs use ...

I would put them up with a "Nevada Stretch". Front legs out, stretched and pinned toward the head. Inner part of back legs pinned to the centerboard. It gives a real nice look to the put up. My cats go in the top lot at our state sale and also do very well at Fallon and NAFA.

If it's got spots and ...

I was in the mid $400's. But I'm in the NE corner. Put up has a LOT to do with your average...