Skinning: hanging by rear legs or front legs

[Antonyweeks]

The reason I ask this is that I've recently watched a youtube video where the guy hangs a deer by it's front legs and then skins from head downwards. I've always put the carcase hanging up by it's rear legs as that's the way I was shown. I have to admit I find the skinning of the carase the most challenging bit: takes me ages and it's always a struggle around the neck. I tend to hang my deer for a few days after shooting so not sure if that makes a difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[willowbank]

There’s no right or wrong way to do it, why do you struggle around the neck?

Willowbank.

 

[75]

Definitely a convert to skinning “upside down” - except with big reds where it’s not worth the hassle of turning them (I don’t have an electric hoist - only manual!).

 

[rem284]

Definitely find it easier to hang by the front legs. I skin front legs when it's on a bench, hang by front legs with two hooks. Then pull the now loose skin off shoulder, neck then down to the haunches. Free the tail area, cut tail off. Then pull the skin off the rear legs altogether. I find other than starting the front legs off with the knife, the knife is seldom required after this

 

[Dan Gliballs]

On its back on a skinning bench.

 

[Stalker62]

Another convert to suspended "Head Up".

If I can remember when it was, I last saw a dead deer...

 

[Woodsmoke]

I have another doe to process tomorrow. I usually hang them by the back legs too, but I'm intrigued now. What are the benefits to hanging from the front legs?

 

[hughsurrey]

Heads up here also

 

[Dickie]

I ask the same before Christmas along with a poll.

Skinning which way up?

I’ve always skinned hanging the carcass by the hind legs but I’ve seen pictures and videos of hanging by the front legs.

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Tim.243]

The reason I ask this is that I've recently watched a youtube video where the guy hangs a deer by it's front legs and then skins from head downwards. I've always put the carcase hanging up by it's rear legs as that's the way I was shown. I have to admit I find the skinning of the carase the most challenging bit: takes me ages and it's always a struggle around the neck. I tend to hang my deer for a few days after shooting so not sure if that makes a difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Watch vids from slaughter houses they all hang from the rear legs, must be a reason!!
Save from the NZ home kill you won't find much done on the floor...

Muntjac I use a thin boning knife, also I cut the front legs a bit above the knee joint (as they go to the dogs)
I run the knife up the inside of the front leg then head up to abt level with the kidneys to form abt a 2" wide strip.
That strip you can get hold of and pull down right the way past the inside of the leg down to the neck.

The rest is how you would ( or how I do it) per normal, never use a skinner just steel the tip of the 6" boning knife and get going.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I have done deer by the rear legs and on cradles but now do Roe hanging by the front legs and skin them while still warm before hanging in the chiller for a week before butchering.

I find the front leg method as demonstrated in the video, quicker, cleaner and easier.

 

[Antonyweeks]

I have another doe to process tomorrow. I usually hang them by the back legs too, but I'm intrigued now. What are the benefits to hanging from the front legs?

It was this video I watched. Really helpful and a great video. See what you think. The fellow does make it look easy..

 

[stephentri]

 

[Antonyweeks]

That looks fine to me!

 

[John Gryphon]

There’s no right or wrong way to do it,

There actually is a right way.

I can advise from experience as an ex slaught that there is only one way in a commercial abattoir that is employed and that is hanging from the rear end.

Tim 243 noted this. "Watch vids from slaughter houses they all hang from the rear legs, must be a reason!!"

On the mutton chain we were running 3200 sheep a day through the chain on our shift,all hock suspended. There obviously is a reason.

One thing I will note is that when pulling a hide by hand the head suspended method can be at times a little easier as the forend hide doesnt have the grip of the arse end and can give the skinner a good start.

 

[willowbank]

Obviously everyone’s entitled to an opinion, my money is still on whichever way you find easiest using the facilities to hand.

Willowbank

 

[shakey jake]

if you start with a fury deer and end with a skinned one does it matter how the skin was removed? ive tried both, munties are pigs either way!

 

[Apthorpe]

There actually is a right way.

I can advise from experience as an ex slaught that there is only one way in a commercial abattoir that is employed and that is hanging from the rear end.

Tim 243 noted this. "Watch vids from slaughter houses they all hang from the rear legs, must be a reason!!"

On the mutton chain we were running 3200 sheep a day through the chain on our shift,all hock suspended. There obviously is a reason.

I'd always assumed the reason in a slaughterhouse is that they are hung that way up to bleed and therefore they stay that way up as they continue through the process?

 

[Kjf]

I have another doe to process tomorrow. I usually hang them by the back legs too, but I'm intrigued now. What are the benefits to hanging from the front legs?

Best cuts are on the back end ,

Send the guts on the easiest course ,and let gravity do the job ( but you already know that WS)

Kjf

 

[John Gryphon]

I imagine that the whole process has evolved over centuries as 'best way' overall.

When budding hunters ask me what is a good skinning knife for large deer my answer is " a pro slaughter mans skinning knife" This is the same deal in that they have evolved over centuries.
I use the 'sheep skinner' style as opposed to the ' buffalo skinner' style and unless the custom knives being made are the same they will not hold their ground on an abattoir chain in keeping up in the chain speed.