A method for removing a pelt-retaining device from a pelt board on which a pelt, especially a mink pelt has been retained by the retaining device during a drying process, the pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a longitudinal middle plane, a lower end, an opposite upper end and a first major side and an opposite second major side and a first lateral side and an opposite second lateral side, the pelt-retaining device comprising a first elongated element and a second elongated element, each having a length, a width and a thickness, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and a first longitudinally outer end portion and an opposite second longitudinally outer end portion, characterized in that said elongated elements being elastically bendable and arranged opposite each other on respective major sides (7,8) of the pelt board and bent to bring the respective inner surfaces in retaining engagement with the outer surface of the pelt and retain the pelt on the pelt board, opposite outer end portions (15,16) of each of the elongated elements extending beyond the first and the second lateral side (9,10) of the pelt board, and adjacent outer end portions (15,16) of the elongated elements being mutually connected by means of a ratchet-pawl arrangement comprising a ratchet bar with a plurality of teeth being provided at and being integral with one of the outer end portions and a pawl means being provided at being integral with the other one of the adjacent outer end portions, the method comprising the following steps: a. arranging the lower end of the pelt board with the pelt retained thereon by means of the retaining device in a pelt board-holding device b. bringing a gripping member into engagement with the outer surface of each of the elongated elements arranged opposite each other on respective major sides (7,8) of the board, c. applying a pressure to the outer surface of each of the outer end portions of the elongated members being provided with a ratchet bar in order to bring the ratchet bar out of engagement with the pawl means, e. moving the gripping members being in engagement with the respective elongated members away from the pelt on the pelt board, thereby removing the elongated members from the pelt, after the pressure on each of the outer end portions of the elongated elements has been released the pelt board having a longitudinal board axis, a longitudinal middle plane, a lower end, an opposite upper end and a first major side and an opposite second major side and a first lateral side and an opposite second lateral side, the pelt-retaining device comprising a first elongated element and a second elongated element, each having a length, a width and a thickness, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and a first longitudinally outer end portion and an opposite second longitudinally outer end portion, characterized in that said elongated elements being elastically bendable and arranged opposite each other on respective major sides (7,8) of the pelt board and bent to bring the respective inner surfaces in retaining engagement with the outer surface of the pelt and retain the pelt on the pelt board, opposite outer end portions (15,16) of each of the elongated elements extending beyond the first and the second lateral side (9,10) of the pelt board, and adjacent outer end portions (15,16) of the elongated elements being mutually connected by means of a ratchet-pawl arrangement comprising a ratchet bar with a plurality of teeth being provided at and being integral with one of the outer end portions and a pawl means being provided at being integral with the other one of the adjacent outer end portions, the method comprising the following steps: a. arranging the lower end of the pelt board with the pelt retained thereon by means of the retaining device in a pelt board-holding device b. bringing a gripping member into engagement with the outer surface of each of the elongated elements arranged opposite each other on respective major sides (7,8) of the board, c. applying a pressure to the outer surface of each of the outer end portions of the elongated members being provided with a ratchet bar in order to bring the ratchet bar out of engagement with the pawl means, e. moving the gripping members being in engagement with the respective elongated members away from the pelt on the pelt board, thereby removing the elongated members from the pelt, after the pressure on each of the outer end portions of the elongated elements has been released a. arranging the lower end of the pelt board with the pelt retained thereon by means of the retaining device in a pelt board-holding device b. bringing a gripping member into engagement with the outer surface of each of the elongated elements arranged opposite each other on respective major sides (7,8) of the board, c. applying a pressure to the outer surface of each of the outer end portions of the elongated members being provided with a ratchet bar in order to bring the ratchet bar out of engagement with the pawl means, e. moving the gripping members being in engagement with the respective elongated members away from the pelt on the pelt board, thereby removing the elongated members from the pelt, after the pressure on each of the outer end portions of the elongated elements has been released