Anyone got a handle on good youtube videos about skinning critters for taxidermy? I've skinned about every kind of critter I can legally kill. But it's always been just to get the hide off for fur market or to process the meat.
I did skin a few skunks some years back for a taxidermist. Basically I just cased them down to the last leg joint and back of the skull. Left the feet, head and tail for the taxidermist to skin as he pleased.
I got a guy wanting me to trap a few critters this fall just for him to mount. Shipping will be killer if I don't lighten them up. I'm going ask him how, where he wants them cut. But I'm not against watching a few videos see how other do it.
I'm sure like most things more than one way to do it.


Mac

I'm sure if you look on YouTube you'll find something. However, many times it depends on the taxidermists particular wishes.

I've skinned out a few marten and red fox for taxidermy, and the preference was for a dorsal cut; one cut up the back starting about an inch before the tail to just beyond the shoulders. It was a little difficult getting my mind around cutting a fur-bearer up the back, but it really makes sense for the taxidermy trade.

Dont have a video reference.
Yeah the cut depends on the Taxi preference. Other then that.
Make sure to get the eyelids cut close pretty important and plenty of the lip material so they can tuck.
Then its just a matter of skinning paws down around toes which can take a little time ,if you dont want to cut them off at paw.

Watching here. I am gonna give taking the cartlege out of the ears and skinning out the paws of red fox this season.

I was just watching this the other day on YouTube, as I'm considering trying my hand at it this season. Brian Hendricks is who to look up on YouTube if my link doesn't work. He covers just about anything you want to know on the mounting process.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmTqMPRj1iU1DX3Krw6oTSw-kL9yZM4bq

Drying skins for taxidermy you need to make sure that all the parts are there and skinned out sufficiently to ensure they dry properly and quickly,and can withstand the tanning process without degradation.On small specimens this means skinning out the feet to the last toe joint.Do not cut the pads,just turn the entire foot inside out as you skin it down.On animals with meaty ears,like fox you will have to turn the ears for proper drying.No need to entirely remove the cartilage,just separate it from the back of the ear and dry inside out.
For larger animals like bear and wolf,in addition to the ears,you will need to also split the lips and eyelids(separate the inner and outer skins),turn the nose,leaving about an inch of cartilage attached and flesh the skinned feet.
As far as skinning cuts,that will be up to the taxidermist you are dealing with to let you know.If you are selling taxi skins at auction,cased or open(bears) is fine.

You could also learn how to take carcass measurements before skinning, they are important for sizing the form they use.

Most all taxidermists after they have been in business for a time will have a certain way to skin each mount for what the customer does.

It's important to contact that particular one to find out his basic needs. Then learn how to salt cure the pelts properly for no slips to develop, as there are certain areas of the body that are more prone to slips than others.

You will find that doing all this is going to cost you extra time, make sure you charge for that as well.

I do it for almost every animal that comes to me full body, it's worth it in the long run for selling full pelts for showing and those who may want a mount done, as well as my hat work.

Only ones I don't fully work down are those with major holes or body part loss's, they just get garment material prepped, no head or foot work.

Here's a taxidermy channel I watch once in awhile

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Qoa8yRp3E

There's also a DVD set from Taxidermy 101

https://m.facebook.com/learntaxidermyschool/

The majority of the hundreds of wolf wolverine and bears handled by the auction houses for taxidermy are stretched and dried.Thats how I do mine.I do a few lynx for taxidermy each year and ship stretched and dried to the auction.