Editing Skinning (section)

== Skinning methods ==
''Case skinning'' is a method where the skin is peeled from the animal like a sock. This method is usually used if the animal is going to be stretched out or put in dry storage.<ref>Burch 2002, p.63</ref> Many smaller animals are case skinned, leaving the skin mostly undamaged in the shape of a tube.<ref>Burch 2002, p.66</ref>

Although the methods of case skinning individual animals vary slightly, the general steps remain the same. To case skin an animal, it is hung upside down by its feet. A cut is made in one foot, and continued up the leg, around the anus and down the other leg. From there the skin is pulled down the animal as though removing a sweater.<ref>Churchill 1983, p.44</ref>

[[File:Rabbit dressing - freeing the hide.jpg|thumb|Freeing the hide from a rabbit carcass while open skinning]]

''Open skinning'' is a method where the skin is removed from the animal like a jacket. This method is generally used if the skin is going to be [[Tanning (leather)|tanned]] immediately or frozen for storage. A skin removed by the open method can be used for wall hangings or rugs.<ref>Burch 2002, p.63</ref> Larger animals are often skinned using the open method.<ref>Churchill 1983, p.44</ref>

To open skin an animal, the body is placed on a flat surface. A cut is made from the anus to the lower lip, and up the legs of the animal. The skin is then opened and removed from the animal.<ref>Churchill 1983, p.44</ref>

The final step is to scrape the excess fat and flesh from the inside of the skin with a blunt stone or bone tool.<ref>{{cite news | author = Wiens, Ray | author-link = Ray Wiens | title = Taxidermy and Field Care Tips and Tricks | work = [[Hunting Tips and Tricks]] | url = http://www.huntingtipsandtricks.com/a/Skinning_for_a_shoulder_mount | accessdate = March 17, 2013}}</ref>

''Dorsal skinning'' is very similar to open skinning, however instead of making a cut up the stomach of the animal, the cut is made along the spine. This method of skinning is very popular among [[taxidermists]], as the backbone is easier to access and cleaner than the stomach and between the legs.<ref>Triplett 2006, p.52</ref>
A dorsal incision is made by laying the animal on its abdomen and making a single cut from the base of the tail to the shoulder region. The animal's skin is easier to remove if the animal has been freshly killed.<ref>Triplett 2006, p.53</ref>

''Cape skinning'' is the process of removing the shoulder, neck and head skin for the purpose of displaying the animal as a trophy.<ref>{{cite news | author = Wiens, Ray | author-link = Ray Wiens | title = Taxidermy and Field Care Tips and Tricks | work = [[Hunting Tips and Tricks]] | url = http://www.huntingtipsandtricks.com/a/Skinning_for_a_shoulder_mount | accessdate = March 17, 2013}}</ref>