How to Skin a Rabbit

Like Elmer Fudd, there are many people who like to hunt rabbits. Once a hunter has acquired and field-dressed his prize, it's time to skin the rabbit. Whether you need to skin the rabbit to save its pelt or to cook up some rabbit stew, these steps will have you well on your way to a fur-less bunny.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Sharp knife or scissors
• Large plastic trash bag or rubber mat

1. Make sure the rabbit has been completely field-dressed (internal organs removed) before skinning.
2. Put a plastic trash bag or rubber mat on a non-porous surface or work table. Do not use newspaper, as the print is hard to remove from the rabbit meat.
3. Lay the rabbit on its back with its head facing you. Starting with the left side of the opening in the skin where the field dressing took place, begin pulling the skin away from the meat. Keep pulling the skin until you get to the other side of the rabbit.
4. Grab the rabbit under its skin using your left hand and use your right hand to pull the rest of the skin off.
5. Remove the head, legs and tail with a sharp knife or pair of scissors. It is best to remove the legs at the joint because the bones are extremely sharp. Removing the head is best accomplished by slicing around the neck with a sharp knife, then using a twisting motion to dislodge the vertebrae.
6. Clean the rabbit meat with water to remove any fur or blood, then dry it with a clean towel.