Preparing to skin a coyote

Coming soon! Instructions on how to get that hide off the coyote.  
 
 

As far as I go in the field...skinned right down to the top of the head.

The first step is getting the coyote hung off a tree/fencepost/pole/etc...this will make skinning much easier. A gusset (the wooden pole with small metal eyes 2 inches from each end) is just what the doctor ordered.

When cutting the slits for your gusset, pay extra attention not to cut the tendon. If you do, you will need to improvise another way to string up the coyote.

Slitting down the inside of the leg.

Working down the legs.

Approaching the tail. Depending on how well the skin is stuck to the coyote, you can often peel the skin away from the carcass by pulling fairly firmly with your hands.

Another perspective on approaching the tail.

For field skinning, I use a saw to cut through the tail bone. When I am back in my shop I will use a tail puller to get rid of the rest of the bones before splitting.

After cutting through the tail, I usually add a bit more brute force to the skinning technique....I force the skin off by pushing with my fist and pulling with my hands.

Pulling off the fur

Keep pulling!

This is where the pulling technique starts to get a little difficult.

For me, this is the most difficult part...pulling around the front legs will require some additional knife work where you will have to be extra careful not to cut through the skin.

Remember...be careful!

Here comes the gory part....I like to skin the head back in my shop where I can use sharper, more delicate tools in a warm and comfortable environment. This means I have to decapitate the coyote in the field....the saw makes quick work of this.