First Rabbit Skinning...Awfully Done!

1shot16

After shooting a rabbit with the lamp i decided it was time to try skinning it and not throwing what i shoot out the foxes...normally shot crows and magpies with the air rifle....under derogation

Only managed to get the skin over the rabbits front legs in 50 minutes :P

Only got a small bita meat off the legs...it was late 12pm so i sed i have enugh for a taste!Will look up how to cool it 2moro must of wasted 80% of the meat but least i skinned the thing haha...room to improve!

Also got a nice square of rabbit skin its rinsed and on the line :P

Any basic rabbit skinning videos...teds holdover had a basic one with no cutting into guts...something like that!

Any other funny first time skinning stories?

Kinzig

if you dont know how to skin and use one , you shouldnt be killing them

Sir Arthur Daley

No doubt you tube has some videos on skinning rabbits or similar, very informative them videos do be.

The Aussie

Kinzig wrote: »

if you dont know how to skin and use one , you shouldnt be killing them

We all started somewhere dude...

Some of us were lucky enough to be shown the ropes, others are finding out the hard way.


Hey 1Shot, there is enough on YouTube to point you in the right direction, other than that practice and even more practice.

hiddenmongoose

Dont worry bout it lad, look up youtube as there is loads of vids and several different ways of doing it.keep your knife sharp as it makes it so much easier and dont be using a big rambo monster knife either.Enjoy the meat .

deerhunter1

hiddenmongoose wrote: »

Dont worry bout it lad, look up youtube as there is loads of vids and several different ways of doing it.keep your knife sharp as it makes it so much easier and dont be using a big rambo monster knife either.Enjoy the meat .

Good advice,enjoy many more. but I usually shoot mine with a gun:D:rolleyes:

deano2882

I just put little slit in belly wit knife..stick fingers in and pull out gut...then peel skin off meat it comes away handy leaves all meat intact for pot...

J.R.

Practice will make perfect.

It's much easier to pick it up if you've someone to show you but all of us are not that lucky.

There are different methods and everyone has their own favourite.

Look at these below.......few different ways............select the one you feel most comfortable with.




http://www.wikihow.com/Skin-a-Rabbit



http://www.wikihow.com/Field-Dress-a-Rabbit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeFr_HuAR1M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Ljr0bg-ss

dodderangler

I do mine with me hands, knife or scissors.
Should take around 3-5 mins to skin a rabbit. Just make sure you wash the body after it

cookimonster

Nice one on getting a rabbit.

Look up push gutting, takes a bit of practice but is worth it. There's little or no cuts reducing the risk of contamination etc. Large rabbits can be nicked above the pelvis to facilitate the process.

At home or end of the hunt you can tackle it one of two ways.

1. Using a sharp knife completely remove the paunch (empty belly), this has very little eating value. Cut away hide and flesh from below rib cage along the loins to the hips.
2. You can then pinch the hide at edge of the cut roughly in the rabbits mid section and pull it away from the flesh, work this around to the other side. Depending on the thickness of the hide you may be able to tear it if not cut through it.
3. Peal the hide from either end in one stroke by:
a. Hold hind legs and pull from the mid section toward head. Pull fore legs out like your removing a jumper.
b. Hold rabbit by neck and pull hide towards tail and over hind legs.
4. Cut paws off at the closest joint to the paw. Cut head off closest to the jar line.
5. Remove tail and pinch off any patches of hide.
6. Open the diaphragm in the chest cavity and remove heart, lungs.
7. Check internals for contamination, remaining offal.
8. Depending on size of rabbit split the pelvis (belly side up) or poke your finger into the pelvic cavity and remove anal passage.
9.Wash any contamination, trim bruised meat and pat dry.

The other way is to leave the belly intact and just nick the hide across the spine and tear it around from frount to back. Carry on from section three above. At section six split the belly from centre pelvis to just under rib cage.

Meat prior to rigor mortis can be cooked and eaten no problem. Once rigor has set in leave for at least 24 hrs to get best eating quality.

Now get out and shoot some more.......

dodderangler

I wouldn't bother with push gutting.
You can get some decent rabbits that just won't push and instead rip the intestines out and it's a mess.
A small blade and slice it in centre of the stomach and basically a quick shake and it all comes out.
Be sure to check for white spots on the liver

1shot16

Thanks lads will look on youtube...i really dont fancy cutting into guts etc but i may learn at some stage!

dodderangler

1shot16 wrote: »

Thanks lads will look on youtube...i really dont fancy cutting into guts etc but i may learn at some stage!

Your not squeamish are ya

1shot16

dodderangler wrote: »

Your not squeamish are ya

Kinda am

Took work experience with a vet...nearly fainted a few times

dodderangler

1shot16 wrote: »

Kinda am

Took work experience with a vet...nearly fainted a few times

Don't know if hunting is up your street then mate

1shot16

Haha i say ill be grand ...i know 2 or 3 people who could show me...should be flying den

Brianmeath

dodderangler wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with push gutting.
You can get some decent rabbits that just won't push and instead rip the intestines out and it's a mess.
A small blade and slice it in centre of the stomach and basically a quick shake and it all comes out.
Be sure to check for white spots on the liver

What is the white spots on liver?

Cass

dodderangler wrote: »

Don't know if hunting is up your street then mate

I go shooting form time to time with a mate of mine. Deer stalking mostly. Every time we open up the deer he pukes his ring up. He takes a few minutes and just carries on.

Stick at it and you'll be fine.

1shot16

I will get the hang of it i hope!Wasnt bad attempt least i got the skin off after 50 minutes haha

ronn

Good small sharp knife and you be flying, your 1st will be your longest, you'll get faster the more you skin.
Wear surgical gloves, keep yr hands nice and clean and you won't be touching the scary bits. :-)

reniwren

I always gut in the field but skin at home, quick cut down the front, grab the back one shake down, grab the back legs and flick, done and dusted, after that I find removing head and lower legs first then cutting in through the back easier than coming through the front

One shot on kill

Keep your knife sharp. Once of the pieces pieces I can give is use a half decent knife and make sure its good and sharp all the time. Squeamishness will fade after time. If it helps mentally us gloves. That's what I done at the start and it helped now I don't mind at all.

Well done on the rabbit and hopefully you will have loads more to practice on.