How to Skin a Deer

After a deer has been killed and field-dressed, the next step is to skin the deer. It can either be skinned quickly, while the hide is still warm and fresh--within a few hours of being killed--or days later. The choice is up to the hunter and the possible need to preserve the meat for longer by keeping the skin on. These steps will work for whatever time frame you choose.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp knife (preferably short and light)
• Skinning knife
• Clean cloth
• Warm water

1. Hang the deer by either the head or the hind legs.

2. Using the tip of a sharp knife, blade edge facing up, make a shallow cut in the skin just above the knee on the inside of each leg (to prevent damaging the meat). Continue cutting until you reach the joint of the legs and the deer's main trunk.

3. Make a slit through the skin around the deer's neck, below the chin. This step is for those not planning on mounting the head.

4. Enlarge the abdominal cut made during the field-dressing by going down the centerline of the chest, brisket and neck to the slit made in Step 3.

5. Using the skinning knife, take a flap of the skin at the neck and start pulling it down and away with your hand. Use the knife to gently help release the skin where it is securely attached, being careful not to cut the skin. If the deer is hanging by the legs, pull the skin from around the legs first--without cutting through the Achilles' tendons--then around the tail.

6. Take the skin and roll it just a little bit to get a good grip on it. Use your body weight to push downward with your fists. The more the skin begins to come away from the carcass, the easier it is to roll and get a better grasp on.

7. Inspect the carcass for damaged areas that may need to be cut away. Using a clean cloth and warm water, wipe the exterior of the carcass to remove any hairs left from the skin.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on putting the deer carcass in a game bag, you may want to saw off each lower hind leg just below the knees with a hacksaw. If you are not putting it in a game bag, the lower legs can be removed during the beginning of butchering.
• If you want to save the cape, cut the middle and rear part of the deer hide free by beginning to skin just behind the shoulder, then working down the body.

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