Handling foxes and coyotes is about the same thing. So I'm just going to do one
set of instructions for the both of them.
Hang from a hind foot, using a strong cord or gambrel.
Cut around each hind foot just above the pad.
Make a cut from one foot to the other just in front of the anus.
Then make two cuts on either side of the anus, connecting the cuts in front of
the tail.
Now using your knife cut he hide free of the feet. Once free of the feet you
should be able to pull the hide off the hind legs and the belly.
If it is a male you will have to cut around the testicle. You will see the
penis, pull the hide down to the end of the penis and then cut it free.
Now continue to pull the hide around the back to the tail. Work your fingers
between the back and the hide till you break through the other side. Now give
it a good pull, and it should start the tail.
Take your knife and insert it upside down into the top of the tail, and very
carefully draw the knife toward you. This should give you a 3-4" cut along the
top of the tail. Now pull on the hide near the tail, not the tail because on
young fox it can rip off. While pulling to get the tail
free every 1/2" cut along the underside of the tail (you should see a white
line). This will prevent tail hairs from being pulled out.
You can continue to do this till the whole tail is skinned out, or after about
3-4" you can use a tail stripper. If you use a tail stripper, after you have
stripped the tail cut down the inside of the tail and open it up all the way,
otherwise it may rot.
Once you have this done it is just a matter of force to get the rest of the
hide off. Wse your rags to help you get a better grip on the hide.
Pull down till you reach the front legs. Work your fingers in under the
shoulder between the carcass and the hide. Once you poke through to the other
side pull down on the hide as far as you can. Cut around the feet with you
knife.
Now using you knife pull and cut down toward the head, be careful not to cut
the hide. Cutting on the whitish lines closest to the animal
will prevent most accidental cuts.
Once you reach the skull look for the 2 white lumps of cartilage that mark the
ears. Cut them off close to the skull.
Continue to pull till you find the eyes, they'll be dark spots under a thin
layer of tissue. Use care or you'll get a "starry-eyed" pelt.
Pull down to the nose and cut off at base of cartilage.
Most foxes and coyotes don't need much scraping.
Place the pelt on the board eyes up, and scrape downward. Don't use too much
force on foxes as they rip easily.
Continue to scrape till all excess fat and flesh is removed.
Place fur side in on a wire stretcher or wooden form. Make sure it is centered.
Place the stretcher hooks into both of the hind feet, and the other in the
tail, pull until taunt.
If using a wooden form, place pins in hind legs on one side of board.
Crossing the legs helps to get the pelt tight.
Tack the tail out all the way to the end, this will make the tail appear
bushy and full.
Put a belly wedge in if using a wooden form.
Either way after 24hrs or less the hide needs to be turned fur out.
A neat trick on a wire form is to undo the hooks, and pull
the pelt off the stretcher a little bit. Then take the nose of the pelt and
stick it back through the stretcher. Now grab the bottom of the pelt and
slowly pull toward the top. It should roll right up just like a sock.
Then replace it on the stretcher.
On a wooden stretcher, take the pelt off the stretcher. Then stick your arm
and hand as far up inside as you can. Grab onto the front leg holes if
possible. Then roll the pelt down your arm again like a sock. Use care not
to tear the pelt. Then replace it on the stretcher.
If you do tear the pelt either skinning or scraping it, don't worry. It is
fairly easy to sew the holes shut using a needle and some dental floss.
EXAMPLE
I once caught two foxes. The one fox had a beautiful pelt but a nasty mangy tail. The second fox had a nice bushy tail but a nasty mangy rub from his shoulders to his ass. SO I skinned the 1st fox and cut off his tail. The second fox all I did was skin out the tail. Then I sewed the good tail onto the good pelt. Put it on a board and let it dry. After a little brushing it looked as good as the rest. I sold it right on through with my other foxes, and the buyer never even noticed.
Fox: