working for a better bobcat & otter season

[iayogi17]

Today I when down to help skin and samples (age, sex, weight, and reproductive) bobcats and otters. with the good hopes to better Iowas season setting on these animals. I think we have more info on these two species then some of the other fur bearers in this state.
One of the tom cats weighed 36lbs, that's a big cat!
I will post some pics tomorrow, right now I need a shower because I smell like a fur shed.

[x-demoman]

Great time today. Just love taking care of fur and learning. Nice to make mistakes on someone elses fur.



Don't know how many cats we did, maybe 100-120. Pile starting to get smaller.



Crew on the big table were collecting to biological data. Most in background were opening for the skinners.



This table of guys opening were from Hawkeye Tech at Waterloo



3 of the skinners. There were 2 more just to the left, no power skinner but a strong back. Was also at least one skinning outside.



The "think tank" L-R Cody Hutton Dr Bill Clark Ken Herring one of the commissioners Todd Gosslink sp? with his back to you

[x-demoman]

Also did probably 50-60 Otter. Did not get any pictures of them.

[minnow]

Wow! I missed the skinning party

[nailbender]

Was all that fur property of the DNR? Past quota catches? What's the story? Also how were the cats for prime?

[~ADC~]

I wish I'd known this was taking place I'd of loved to went and watched.

~ADC~

[dfox]

Brad did you find my otter?

The hides will be tanned and sent to nature centers across Iowa. this took place at Hutton's taxidermy school.

[dfox]

Mar 18, 2009 20:08:08 GMT -6 minnow said:

Wow! I missed the skinning party

I forgot to tell you about it yesterday Joe! Doh!

[iayogi17]

ADC, there is no watching its hands on ;D.
Dave, I didn't see your otter.
These aninals are round kill, found dead, and some hunter/trapper after season close. Most of the hides will be tanned for public ed use like in nature centers and so on.
some of the cats

otter


Me hard at it

Found this guy


Coworker I training him to skin so he can do my fur next fall

opening up cats

[iayogi17]

plus the already skinned carcasses from trapper and hunter so we can get the bio info

[~ADC~]

Mar 19, 2009 7:57:12 GMT -6 iayogi17 said:

ADC, there is no watching its hands on ;D.

Never skinned a bobcat or otter but I'm a fast learner.

~ADC~

[kennieg]

I had an otter that may of been in that pile also. Two days too late.

[iayogi17]

Here is a email I just got.
Folks,



I wanted to thank everyone for helping collect bobcat and otter carcasses this past year. We processed all the carcasses yesterday with a record number of volunteers helping (I counted 51 at one point), and processed 162 bobcats and 131 otters from 8am to 5pm. Previous to this, the Chariton crew processed 112 bobcat and 209 otters that were legally harvested (that’s a grand total of 614 carcasses collected and processed). This information gathered from the carcasses will ensure that we have sound scientific information on bobcat and otter populations for the state of Iowa, and educational pelts and skulls. My hat goes off to all the DNR, CCB, and furharvesters that have help throughout the year to help collect the carcasses.



Thanks again!



Todd



Todd Gosselink, Ph.D.

Forest Wildlife Research Biologist

IA DNR Chariton Research Station

24570 US HWY 34, Chariton, IA 50049

Office: 641-774-2958 Mobile: [phone]

[4fur]

Great pictures of a great project! Good job guys!

[x-demoman]

This was my 2nd year helping. Much rather work on the cats than the otter. Maybe we can remember next year to get the word out sooner, can always use the help.

[bch]

Now if you want to learn how to finish them, just cone on down starting tommorrow and we will fix you right up. Bruce