[btbowhunter]

the way tom has em here, basically the smallest coon you can put on em is a 2x. now if you are opening the coon correctly, you should have very few coon that don't make the 2x mark. (less than 10% in my estimate) i'm talking basically a kit coon. for these small coons, i really don't worry about width a heck of alot. i've got some tapered down bobcat wood stretchers that i put the small ones on.

i will keep a few wire stretchers around with the hooks in tact for skunks and such.

the other advantage to these wood stretchers is the fact that you can "square off" the pelt. putting up on wire, you pull the insides of the legs and the tail (center of pelt both sides). when you do that, you ride the hips up the stretcher and thats where they measure from. you can use clothes pins to hold it for those kind, but it doesn't turn out as nice.