I have been told to skin a racoon making an incision on the back instead of the belly. I am unfamiliar with skinning a racoon and would like some help. Your help is greatly appreciated.
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The incision really depends on the pose you want, but you're right about using the dorsal incision. It is usually the easiest to work with. The main thing is to take your time, the more holes you cut, the more you sew later. After making your incision, just peel the skin back and use a scalpel to separate the tough spots. You can invert the feet all the way to the claws, and cut the toes off at the last joint. You'll need to split the tail to remove the tailbone cleanly. Next, skin on up to the forearms and invert them the same as the hindlegs. Skin on up to the head and cut through the ear bases close to the skull. Also cut close to the skull when working in the eye area. Cut the lips close to the gum line and leave plenty of lip skin. Cut through the cartilage to free the nose and the hide from the carcass. Next, you will have to turn the ears, split the eyes, nose, and lips, and salt heavily. I suggest you get a manual such as the Breakthrough Mammal manual from WASCO or get a video to follow. Hopefully this will get you started though. Good luck with the coon.
Bryan Hays