Skinning Process

Hang the rabbit by its hind legs from a gambrel or rope. Cut the skin around each hock joint, then slit the hide along the inner thighs to the tail. Grip the pelt at the hips and pull downward toward the head in one smooth motion, peeling it off. Cut around the forelegs, tail, and head to fully detach the pelt.

Why It Works

Rabbit skin has a thin fascia layer that separates easily from muscle while the carcass is still warm (within 15-20 minutes of dispatch). Gravity assists on a hanging carcass, allowing the pelt to pull away cleanly with minimal knife work, reducing the risk of nicking the meat.

Tips

• Skin while the body is still warm; once cooled, the hide bonds tighter and tears more easily
• Use the knife only where the skin resists; most of the pelt should pull free by hand
• Save pelts by stretching on a wire frame and salting with non-iodized salt if you plan to tan them later