Last night I attempted my first cape removal. everything was going fine until I got to the ears. I could not figure out how to turn the ears. and cut them up pretty good, but after I butchered them i went back to the video and the book and I think I realized my mistake. If anyone could shoot me an email and give me some advise that would be cool. I'm not looking for someone to tell me to scroll through the search button, I have some specific questions I want to ask, I and I want to talk with someone who had fumbled their first try also. Thanks for any help in advance.
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Matt, I don't know if I understand you totally. It sounds as though you were skinning out the cape, came to the ears and tried to turn them. Maybe I'm wrong. I will give some general information. The first thing with the ears is when you skin them is to free them from the skull. This is one of those things that you develop a feel for and can feel the ear canal down to were it is connected to the skull. Always aim to cut the ear canal as close as you can to the skull. You can always cut off some later if need be, but cut it too short and make yourself more work. After this continue skinning out the rest of the cape.
After the cape is removed and during the fleshing process is the time to turn the ear. Start at the ear butt(that big hunk of flesh that is still connected to the hide where you dissected the hide away from skull). Using a sharp knife free up the ear butt from the hide, pay close attention to your orientation (front-back). You will come to the part where the front of the ear has that "V" shape-don't cut any further on the front and orient yourself to the back of the ear. Use your knife to skin your way up the back of the ear. After so far you can actually use your fingers to separate the skin on the back of ear from the cartilage. Just be careful and don't pull to hard when you come to the edges. Come to the edges and stop and do this until the entire back of the ear is turned. Now this is where you stop. Turn your attention back to the earbutt and clean the muscle off the earbutt. Your hide is ready for tanning.
Once it comes back from the tannery or out of the tan if you do your own. This is the time to remove the cartilage from the front of the ear.
Matt, all of at one time or another have but a hole in a ear when skinning. Don't be discouraged most can be repaired. If I didn't answer something, drop another response. Good Luck.