I'm interested in skinning a racoon to make an adult cap. What is the best way to skin it?
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your local library and look for the book by readers digest called back to the basics and this will tell you as well as a whole lot more. Brad
You'll need two decent sized hides for an adult sized coon cap. You'll cut a circle or oval about 9 inches in diameter(this will be the top of the cap)out of one in the back area .The other (Sides of the cap)you'll cut two strips 4-6 inches wide by approximately 12 inches long depending on the size of your head.Butt the ends of the sides together(the short way)then you'll have a band or hoop when you're done adjust the size of this band to fit loosely around your head.The circle should be sewn(whipstitch) so the lay of the hair starts at the front seam of the sides .Save the faces of both (attach one to the cap)You'll cover the seam on the front with the coon face. and if you wish you can save and attach the legs to the cap for more of a mountain man appearance.Make a liner for the cap out of a flannel type material and whip stitch it to the inside of the cap this is an authentic design.A leather sweat band can be installed (2" X 8")at the band /liner seam in the front.The tail should be attached to the mid way of the rear seam. The legs at the appropriate areas and mid way down also. If you really want to get fancy or authentic to some parts attach a Gouget(a brass crescent shaped piece worn by army officers ) to the front of the cap under the coon face to act as a sun visor.A brooch was sometimes attached at various areas on the sides and near the front kind of like we now display our deer harvest pins on our hunting caps.Happy sewing and wear it to your favorite outdoor gathering(rendevous)
to know which way to skin it. Belly incision and go down the back (elbow side)of the front legs and follow the path of the bone on the back legs. cut the tail off at the base and strip and split the tail.Skin out the feet and leave the last joint on each toe or finger so the claws don't fall off. I thought you wanted to know how to make one -oh well have fun