More Than 1 Way to Skin a Coyote

[apakesha]

What is your way to skin a coyote and how long does it take? I normally hang my coyotes in the corn crib and then fight to get the skin off. I use disposable scalpels that Big R sells for castrating pigs. For about $10.00 you get the handle and 10 blades. It takes me about 1-1/2 hour to skin real good without cutting any holes and leaving on the feet.
I just finished skinning one a little different. I did it in the shop hanging it from the forks of my forklift. After I got the skin pulled over the head I used the forklift muscle to help skin it. I lowered the forks with the Coyote hanging until it touched the floor. Then I did a double wrap with some climbing rope around the loose skin and then anchored the rope on the cross brace at the bottom of the fork cylinders. I raised the forks and the skin came off real nice. I did it a little at a time so I could cut the membrane that attaches the skin to the body. This time it shaved 1/2 hr off the skinning. How do you do it and is there an easier way?

 

[MrMajestic]

Saw a video once about using compressed air. Was real quick but never tested it personally. Search You tube and you should get a hit.

 

[A_Gamehog]

Big R

west coast?

What's your location? If you are near by Bend I would show you. I have 35+ years skinning those $$$being a Trapper, I start with cutting around the rear pads (1st) leg joint, pull the skin away from the legs. Then I use a rope and board to secure the legs where you just removed the fur and spread the legs as far apart as possible. Hoist it up to chest level and slice the leg with one smooth cut to the anus following the line to the other leg same way. Then slice and peel, most times I never use a knife again until I get to the ears and front legs. Timing is everything, if you shoot him he should be skinned same day or asap, the sooner the better.. The legs in front should be "Tubes" and leave the ears on. Peel to the nose and cut the cartalage off. Inverted it should not be missing anything but the feet. Stretch the fur "skin side out" and nail the legs to a wood stretcher . Let it dry one day and then turn it fur side out. After two weeks you remove the stretcher or it will turn moldy. It will hold it's shape if you did everything right. I trapped one day and skinned the next. Always worked fine for me.

 

[5spd]

^^^I do mine very close to Agamehog, but I use a chain looped and around the hind legs hanging from my rafters in the garage to hang it. I have a very sharp flexable paring knife I use when I have to cut around the head.
There is a great video on exactly how we are doing it over on NPHA site. Usually takes maybe 20 min. at the most on a large coyote for me.

 

[apakesha]

NPHA National Plot Hound Association? Under what heading will I find the video.
I'm located in Illinois.
I got my first Coyote in 2001. It was 8am Nov 5th and we had just moved here from a Chicago suburb. My son looked out the front window where there are endless corn and bean fields stretching to the horizon. He saw an animal trotting across the bare field and said "What's that? I looked and saw the Coyote moving east to west. I had enough time to get my rifle (Winchester 9417) jump in my truck and drive to the next gravel road and head him off. I got there just as he was crossing the road. I got out of the truck and sighted him in. I got him at about 100 yds with the second shot. I have used the 17HMR to get the majority of Coyotes in my area and like the fact the it hits hard without exiting the other side. When I skin them on the opposite side where there should be an exit hole, I find bullet fragments that look like pepper trapped just under the skin.
Anyway, I called the taxidermist and told him that I had just shot a grey fox and wanted to get it mounted. He said bring it in . So I did. He took one look at it and said, "That's no grey fox, That's a coyote. (He really was thinking in his head....That's no grey fox Dumb *** That's a coyote)
Six months later I picked up the mount from the Taxidermist. It was a full body mount with the Coyote walking with a hen pheasant in it mouth. It's beautifully done.
A couple of years ago I shot and trapped 10 Coyotes and decided to try tanning myself. I found a guy online that sold tanning supplies and did my first pickling using hydrochloric acid and salt. Made my own tumbler using a 6 ft round livestock tank to soften the furs after oiling them. They turned out OK. The whole experience was great but I have since lost interest in doing it myself and now send them in to be tanned. Kids love the coyote furs so I give them to any that are interested.

 

[5spd]

http://www.thenpha.com/forum/
Under the predator hunting forum, its a sticky.

 

[apakesha]

Great Video. I skin them for taxidermy. That's why it takes me longer. I see that it is not necessary.
Thanks
Mke

 

[Juma]

What is your way to skin a coyote and how long does it take? I normally hang my coyotes in the corn crib and then fight to get the skin off. I use disposable scalpels that Big R sells for castrating pigs. For about $10.00 you get the handle and 10 blades. It takes me about 1-1/2 hour to skin real good without cutting any holes and leaving on the feet.
I just finished skinning one a little different. I did it in the shop hanging it from the forks of my forklift. After I got the skin pulled over the head I used the forklift muscle to help skin it. I lowered the forks with the Coyote hanging until it touched the floor. Then I did a double wrap with some climbing rope around the loose skin and then anchored the rope on the cross brace at the bottom of the fork cylinders. I raised the forks and the skin came off real nice. I did it a little at a time so I could cut the membrane that attaches the skin to the body. This time it shaved 1/2 hr off the skinning. How do you do it and is there an easier way?

The compressed air trick is great for deer, hares , rabbits, pheasants .That's what we use here in NZ because it floats the skin off aiding a very quick and clean skinning.

 

[Preacher]

Plus 1 for the AIR SKINNER.. I use them a lot, on a lot of critters...

 

[StraightTimeStirrups]

Six months later I picked up the mount from the Taxidermist. It was a full body mount with the Coyote walking with a hen pheasant in it mouth. It's beautifully done.

And the photo of your mount is ... WHERE? I love posts like this! You talk about how something looks beautiful and you dont post a photo for us to see, lol!

Joe