How to Skin a Raccoon

Raccoon hunting is an old tradition in many parts of the United States. Valued for their hides and meat, the American raccoon is a useful and profitable crop. The processing of the corpse has been going on since the hunting tradition started. Ever wondered how Davy Crockett got that hat? Here's how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Skinning knife
• Stout cable or cord
• Rags
• Fleshing knife

1. Dry out the raccoon before skinning. Skinning wet raccoons is possible, but it is much easier when they are clean and dry. Use a dog grooming brush to clean off all of the dirt and mud.
2. Hang the raccoon by its back feet. Some sturdy clothesline or bailing wire works well. The first cut will be just below the pad of the foot. Continue this incision until you have circumscribed the leg. Repeat with all of the legs.
3. Connect the cut on each foot to the opposite foot, front foot to front foot and back foot to back foot. Start down at the cut you made connecting the front feet and slice up to the cut connecting the back feet. Continue past to the tail and be sure to cut around either side of the sex organs and anus. Separate the hide form the feet. Now pull the skin off of the legs and belly.
4. Pull the skin away from the cadaver where the tail meets the body. Stick your fingers through, making a space between the haunch and the pelt. Insert your knife with the dull side to the tip of the tail. Drag the knife up the to tip of the tail. Now slowly separate the tail from the hide. Use your knife to help cut the tissue connecting the tail to the hide if you need to.
5. Grab the hide and pull it down to the neck. It should only be attached at the spine and will come off easily. Before peeling the head cut along the gum line to separate the jaws from the the lips. This is a good time to cut the skin around the eyes as well. Then go to the back of the head and start turning the skin inside out, using your knife to cut the white connective tissue when necessary. Under the ears are two little chunks of cartilage; cut through these. Now, simply peel his face off, inverting it like a sock. The nose will be connected with a bit of cartilage. Trim this and the skin is free.
6. Scrape the hide. Start right above the neck. Make a shallow cut, without going through the skin, scraping off all the fat and gristle. Start with a few short strokes and the fat and flesh should come off easily. Be patient, as this is hard. Continue to scrape around the hide until it is free of fat.

Tips & Warnings

• Your skinning knife needs to be kept razor sharp to avoid holes and cuts in the pelt.
• If it is a male 'coon you will have to cut around the testicles.
• Many raccoons carry diseases, so wash your hands after skinning.