When I took that cottontail out of the freezer and let thaw
out for a few hours, I took the measurements. Did I take
them too late? Then before I began to skin it, I flipped it
over and noticed that there was a lot of hair missing on the
area around the back of the head and ears. Was that freezer
burn? Then when I open it up, it looked like there was a
bunch of chopped up fat or something. When I continued to
cut down toward the hind legs, it was hard to tell the
difference between the skin and the meat. Was I doing
something wrong?
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HMM, Ugh, OK,
first, I think you worry too much, but I'm as confused as you are with your questions.
maybe this will help-
DO WHAT I SAID THE FIRST TIME!
Order a mounting kit for a rabbit, it will come with basic instructions that will explain most of your questions.
(You made your post only 3 days ago.)
here are answers to your questions--- Measurements can be taken at any time, preferrably when the rabbit is thawed and before it is skinned.
freezer burn takes place on the inside--it will look like a dry spot on the meat or skin.
You are describing something else,a slipped spot will be completely bald. if you can see a bad spot already, then that's not a good sign.I advised you to thaw in alcohol to help prevent this problem, although it is possible that your rabbit was left out too long after you killed it.
That chopped up fat is stuff that you have to remove---Welcome to Taxidermy!
the skin of a rabbit is very thin, no more than 1/32 inch, everything else has to go.once you make a cut, you should be able to work your hand in between the skin and the carcass, because the skin hangs loose on a bunny. if you can't tell the difference between the skin and meat, then you aren't getting dirty enough.
Taxidermy isn't a real clean job.You might as well pick up your rabbit, and smear him all over yourself, just go ahead and get good and bloody, and "get used to it".
If that creeps you out too much, then just stick to model airplanes or something like that.
If you still want to do that rabbit, then re-read my first instructions, and follow them.
Good Luck
Dave