15 replies to this topic

[lif2fsh]

finally find a gun that don"t blow them apart and even bade a pole to hang them from so i can skin them and found out it an"t that easy. any of you guys save the fur? i have watched some video they make it look so easy.

[ShooterJohn]

It's pretty easy to poke holes in a coyote skin. If you get to them while they are still warm the kins come right off. It's just practice but I used to skin animals I trapped everyday as a kid. A knife I've found that is super easy to use an doesn't poke holes is a muskrat knife made buy Knives of Alaska. I have a set of them but this is the only set you would ever need.http://www.gandermou...mp;merchID=4006They stay extremely sharp. I've done four deer with it and it still didn't need to be sharpened. The only thing with these blades is that they aren't stainless and will rust if not cared for properly.

[Baja_Traveler]

I use those same knives and can also vouch for them. The muskrat with the rounded edge blade makes skinning anything nice and easy with no holes like happens with a pointed blade. The reason they stay sharp so long is their high carbon steel construction - great for sharpness, not so great for it's anti rust properties. A tip that was given to me by a custom knife maker is to not oil the knife ( I was using a light coating of olive oil to prevent rust ). Oil will just attract dust and dirt, and will also eventually ruin the leather sheaf. Instead use a micro crystalline wax like This one - this brand is supposed to be the best and is what I use. I got it at a Rockler woodworking store.

[hsiehjohn]

I saw some videos on YouTube that some people are using air compressors to skin animals. They use a special tip on the nozzle and blow air between the skin and flesh. Seems pretty easy, they puff up like balloons and the skin is separated instantly.

[Baja_Traveler]

When I was a kid I watched a goat get skinned that way in a Costa Rican slaughterhouse. It worked really well, but there were no bullet holes in the goat either...

[mtn dog]

I saw some videos on YouTube that some people are using air compressors to skin animals. They use a special tip on the nozzle and blow air between the skin and flesh. Seems pretty easy, they puff up like balloons and the skin is separated instantly.

Oh, crap! Air compressors? One more piece of gear we need to haul into the field on our stands! Can I get one in Mossy Oak?

[Bennie]

Like shooter john said they are a lot easier to do when warm. It takes practice. You want to use a knife as little as possible. Here is a video on how to skin a hide for the market. Notice all the tools this guy use's. The right tools makes it a lot easier.Doc skinning a coyote.

[ShooterJohn]

Baja Traveler, I use some old Carnauba paste wax on my none stainless tools and knives. It works very well and I haven't rusted anything yet.

[tawnoper]

As said...practice. The first few you skin usually take up quite a bit of time but after you skin a few you'll start figuring it out. Also as said, if you can skin them right away it makes a difference...the fur pulls off easier. They get a bit more tough to pull as they stiffen up.Here is another good demo.skinning a coyote

[dangerranger]

Ive never saved fur. but Im reading that fur prices are rising enough to make me think about saving them. I do have a couple of questions for those that do save fur. I live where its really hot most of the year. I was told years back that only in the months of Dec throu Feb will the coyotes have a decent enough pelt to be worth keeping. where can I find out how to prepare them for market? and lastly who buys them? DR

[ShooterJohn]

You have to have a trapping license to be able to sell them.

[dangerranger]

so a test and a $100 fee, then Id have to sell quite a few to make it worth it. DR

[Switch]

Just keep practicing. My first skin took two hours. Taking care of it sooner than later is better. I've been working through some from this season and last. The final product is well worth it. These are going to be made into hats after tanning.

[lif2fsh]

Very nice indeed.

[homemade]

ya im kinda in the same boat have watched lots of animals get skinned in my youth but has been 30 years and I have never skinned anything and now wish to learn.I might have to bribe some peeps or go visit Rae with some dead critters

[CoyoteHuntress]

Ill show ya LOL Its really NOT that hard guys.. however it does take practice to not cut alot of holes.. Seriously just practice and you will get the hang of it.