Even if you don't eat rabbit meat regularly, you never know when you might need to know how to skin one. Being able to skin small game is an indispensable skill. As far as rabbits are concerned, this is not a difficult job. If you decide to kill an animal, make sure you honor its sacrifice by cleaning it and consuming its flesh properly instead of letting it go bad. This article will teach you how to skin a rabbit with and without a knife.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: With a Knife
Step 1. Make a loop cut around each rabbit's leg, just above the ankle
Only cut just enough to detach the skin, do not make a too deep incision: it is useless and makes the work less precise.
Step 2. On each leg, make a long cut that goes from the ring incision to the rear of the animal
This will be useful at the end of the process.
Step 3. Begin to pull off some skin, working from the ring cut towards the rabbit's genitals
The skin should peel off without too much effort.
Step 4. Break through the tail bone, but be careful not to touch or break the bladder
The tail bone protrudes outward, so it is relatively easy to spot.
Step 5. With both hands begin to pull the skin away from the body
At this point it should come off very easily, just like peeling a banana.
Step 6. Insert your fingers between the skin and muscles of the front legs to detach it
At first it takes a little practice, but don't be discouraged if it takes a little bit of effort.
Step 7. Continue to pull the skin from the back towards the head
Pull the fur down until it reaches the base of the skull.
Step 8. Separate the head from the spine
This way the skin will be completely removed from the rest of the meat.
Step 9. With your hands, break the front leg bones and the hind leg joints
At the level of the joints, remove the skin from the bone with the help of the knife.
Step 10. Evisc and clean the animal, keeping the skin, if you want
Make sure the animal is well cleaned before eating it. Check the liver to make sure it has no disease and that the meat is edible. Save the leather if you want to tan it or use it for other purposes.
Method 2 of 2: Without a Knife
Step 1. Push the rabbit's knee until the skin separates from the meat
It will take some practice. Basically you have to push the joint in one direction and pull the skin in the other. This way you separate the skin clearly.
Step 2. Work with your fingers around the leg until all the skin of the knee separates from the joint and the flesh
Step 3. Push the knee up while pulling the skin down, in order to remove most of the fur from the paw
The movement is similar to what you do when you take off your pants, only the "pants" in this case are the skin of the rabbit.
Step 4. Repeat the process for the other paw
Step 5. In the genital area, work with your hands under the skin towards the abdomen
Pull the fur away from the flesh.
Step 6. At the back of the rabbit, above the tail, slide your hands under the skin along the back
Remove it from the meat and pull it to remove it from the tail.
Step 7. Pull the skin down with both hands until you reach the front legs
Step 8. Break the thin skin between the front legs and the head using your fingers
Even if it's fur, it shouldn't take superhuman effort. Once done, pull the leather "sleeves" off the front legs.
Step 9. Break the spine at the base of the skull
When you eviscerate and clean the carcass, you can cut off the remaining flaps of skin and the head with a flick of the knife.
Step 10. Evisc and clean the animal, save the fur if you want
Make sure the meat is thoroughly cleaned before eating and check the liver for signs of disease. Store the leather for tanning or other purposes.
Advice
- If you want to preserve the skin, you should work it immediately after skinning the animal. It must be cooled quickly and dried, to prevent the enzymes of the dermis from attacking the hair roots and causing them to fall out.
- When you remove the skin, make the movements as if you were taking off socks.
- Try to skin the rabbit as soon as possible to prevent the meat from starting to decompose.
Warnings
- Rabbits can be carriers of rabies, so try to hunt them only in February and March.
- Be careful, the knife is sharp.
- Take lessons to hunt any animal.
