October, 192' 
Figure 2 
Figure 3 
Figure 4 
450 
SKINNING HEADS OF BIG GAME 
PATIENCE AND CARE MUST BE EXERCISED CONTINUALLY DURING 
THE OPERATION OF REMOVING THE CAPE FROM THE FALLEN TROPHY 
T HE mounting of a head depends to 
a great extent on the manner in 
which it is handled after the ani- 
mal has been shot. In this con- 
nection it might be well to mention that 
the two principal points to guard against 
are decay and a reckless handling of 
the skinning-knife. Patience and care 
go a long way in skinning out a head 
properly. A thorough and liberal ap- 
plication of salt as a preservative will 
do the rest. 
The most persistent defects in badlv- 
handled heads are caused first in bleed- 
ing the animal by making an ugly gash 
on the throat, and later on, in the proc- 
ess of skinning, by cutting the eyelids. 
In bleeding, the throat should not be 
cut. Instead an incision should be made 
under the front leg and behind the third 
rib. The heart lies close to this point 
and a thrust here (if bleeding is neces- 
sary) will do all that is required. The 
old method of opening deer heads on 
the throat instead of the back of the 
neck is fortunately not followed much 
now. 
Occasionally, however, a head skin 
comes to hand carelessly ripped off, with 
a slit up the front of the neck, badly- 
cut eyelids, and often decayed beyond 
repair. All these defects not only tax 
the ability of the taxidermist to conceal 
them, but cause an extra amount of la- 
bor, the results of which quite often fail 
to make the mount equal to a perfectly 
prepared trophy. 
Many sportsmen are apt to overlook 
the importance of devoting personal care 
and supervision when preserving their 
kill, and too often the hunter considers 
that, having shot his game, his work is 
over — the skinning and other details be- 
ing usually delegated to the guide who 
is always full of assurance on such mat- 
ters, but often sadly lacking in the knowl- 
edge that this work demands. 
It is not inferred that all guides are 
hopelessly irresponsible in this respect. 
Many of them are wonderfully pro- 
ficient; but, judging from the great num- 
bers of carelessly handled skins that are 
received each year by taxidermists, it 
would seem as though it would be good 
policy for the sportsman to keep an eagle 
eye on this preliminary work. Even a 
By ROBERT H. ROCKWELL 
moderate amount of labor and a little 
directing here and there may be the 
means of saving a prize head. 
\Y/ HEN an animal has been secured, 
and is ready for operations, it 
can be skinned best just where it falls, 
providing the location is dry and the 
ground level. The skinning of the head 
and neck should proceed first. The body 
may be skinned out after the opening 
cuts have been made on the neck and 
shoulders. 
To skin a deer head proceed as fol- 
lows: (The same methods apply to all 
horned animals of North America.) 
Begin by making the opening cut on 
top of the shoulder; continue this in- 
cision until it completely encircles the 
neck. The next incision starts at a 
point directly between the horns and 
preferably three inches nearer the base 
or rear of the skull. (Fig. i.) In order 
to make a straight, continuous cut fror 
this point to the opening on top of th 
shoulders it is advisable to place th 
animal on its belly with neck out 
stretched, and the front and hind leg 
bent and propped under the body t 
brace it. The actual skinning may no\ 
proceed by cutting and pulling the end 
where the two opening cuts meet at th ' 
high point on the shoulder. 
In cutting the fine white membran 
which joins the hide to the fleshy pad 
of the neck the skin should peel oi 
quite easily; care must be taken, how! 
ever, not to try to see how fast it ma 
be done until expertness is first acquired 
the danger of making holes will thus b! 
reduced to a minimum. 
Before skinning or cutting off th 
cartilaginous base of the inside of th 
ear the skin on the throat should b 
w’orked down towards the under jav 
Next grasp the ear firmly and, pullin 
the skin over it, sever the cartilage clos 
to the skull. (Fig. 2.) By pullin; 
smartly on the base of the ear the skip 
ning will proceed more easily. The but 
or base of the horn offers some resin 
tance. Bring the knife into play here b 
cutting up towards where the ha- 
growth commences on the base of th ! 
horn; encircle the base by cutting dow ! 
to the bone; then by pulling on the ski; 1 
quite hard the knife cuts will becoir 
much more effective, releasing the ski | 
from the tough fiber which holds it 1 
the horns. 
Now insert the left forefinger unde: 
the eyelid from the outside and into tb 
orbit (Fig. 3); skin carefully down t(l 
wards the finger — the explanation bein 
that the finger will give due notice i j 
the event that the knife cuts come tc 
near the eyelid. The finger also servi 
as a means of pulling on the eyelid, thil 
assisting the operation of skinnin : 
around this part. All around the ej 
the knife should be made to cut clos 
to the bone; otherwise the eyelids m\ 
be cut. The gland directly in front <j 
the eye, sometimes called the “tear,” | 
a deep cavity, and here the point of tl 
knife should be shortened in the har 
and kept close down upon the bon ' 
This part has sometimes to be actual 1 
( Continued on page 464) 
