There is more than one way to skin a deer. How to do this largely depends on whether or not you want to keep your head and shoulders as a trophy. This article describes both techniques.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Simple Method (Without Retaining the Trophy)
Step 1. Hang the deer
You can do this to a tree or a tractor with a rope wrapped around the horns or neck of the animal.
Step 2. Make an incision in the neck and chest
First, cut the skin around the neck, at the base of the skull. Then cut the skin down from the neck through the chest and abdomen to the genital area.
- After the initial neck incisions, make the subsequent cuts with the knife blade facing upwards. This will extend the life of the blade (as it will not have to cut the fur) and minimize the chances of accidentally cutting an internal organ.
- Be careful to cut only the skin and the underlying membrane but not the muscle.
Step 3. Make incisions on the front legs
Extend the chest cut towards the front legs and then cut around the knees.
Step 4. Begin to remove the skin
Use your hands to pull the skin down from the neck and paws, work down, towards the chest.
If muscle tissue follows the skin, use a small knife to cut the membrane that holds it bound to the skin
Step 5. Place a golf ball (or similarly sized stone) in the center of the torn skin in the area behind the neck once the skin has been peeled off the neck and front legs
Roll the ball into the skin. The ball will help you have more grip during skinning operations.
Step 6. Use a rope to peel off the skin
Tie a string around the leather bag that holds the golf ball. Then pull the other end of the rope to remove the skin from the deer body. Alternatively, you can tie the end of the rope to a vehicle to make less effort.
Step 7. Clean
Once the skin has been removed, rinse the carcass with clean water to remove any residual fur.
Method 2 of 2: Method for Storing the Trophy
Step 1. Hang the deer from a tree or tractor with a rope tied to its hind legs
Do not tie the deer by the neck if you want to keep the trophy, so as not to damage it.
Step 2. First make an incision around the chest
If you want to embalm the head and shoulders, you need to be careful not to damage them while skinning the deer. This technique will leave the head and shoulders intact for any subsequent storage.
- This first incision should be made around the animal's chest starting from the bottom of the sternum.
- After the first incision, make the remaining cuts with the knife blade facing upwards. This prolongs the life of the blade (as it will not cut the fur) and will minimize the risks of accidentally cutting internal organs.
Step 3. Make a cut on the legs
Make an incision on the inside of the front legs halfway between the knees and the armpits. The incision should follow the line where the white and brown hairs join.
Take the time to make the incision correctly, follow the line of the hair carefully
Step 4. Join the cuts
Once you have finished following the white-brown fur line, continue cutting straight on the back until it intersects the circular incision you made around the chest. Once done, the cut should be parallel to the deer body.
Step 5. Remove the top
With a small knife, slowly cut the underlying membrane and remove the skin. While skinning, unroll the skin from the carcass to prevent too much air from entering the meat.
Be careful not to cut the skin
Step 6. Take your head off
After removing all the skin from the front legs, chest and neck, you are ready to remove the head. To do this, use a small, sharp knife to cut the muscle down to the bone about 10 cm below the skull. Once you have reached the spine, use a bone saw to cut and remove the head.
- Now you need to cut the skin. The neck one should have already been removed.
- Your taxidermist will use 7.5-10 inches of neck to properly mount your trophy.
Step 7. Finished
Now you can skin the rest of the animal using the method you prefer. Once done, rinse the carcass to remove any fur residue from the meat.
Step 8. Take the head to your trusted taxidermist to have the trophy mounted
Place the head and top of the deer in an envelope and take it to the taxidermist immediately.
