Is it possible to just zip the tail with a utility knife hook blade first and then just pull the tail rather than the two step method od pull then zip?

Yes it's possible, but IMO it's quicker and safer to use the pull then zip, with a tail splitting guide, method for all species other than otter.

It is possible, but also probable you are going to regret it times ten, as it will take longer, will not be straight, likely to have hair pull through and tears. Everyone tries the short cut and goes back to the pull and split.

Yes It can be done.
I bought a bunch of green skinned dog hunter coon. And they for the most part just lop off the tail bone at the base. I just made a small cable slip noose placed It around the end of the bone and placed the other end In a vise. Then used the puller.

I don't find using a metal tail stripper then a tail splitter takes any time at all. Pull - split done probably the easiest part of skinning to me

I skinned my second coon and thought I was slick by splitting the tail and pulling with my hand and not a stripper. Worked fine before and then until I got to the end and the last 3" popped off. This is my first year and I've been caught unprepared many times. I am buying a lot of stuff soon and hope to not make these mistakes again. It pays to have a splitter and puller!

You will get a better finished product and presentation by pulling and then splitting. If you are gonna take the time to put it up, you might as well have enough pride in it to present it well. In a down fur market, your presentation is more important than ever in my opinion. FWIW

I use a bench mounted tail stripper. If you get a broken tai, or someone doesn't pull the tail out, I put a visegrip on the bone to finish it.

i use a thompson snare i have hangin to hold bobbed tails then pull.workin for furbuyers i had to get good at it.

Pull tail bone out first, then split tail fur is a fool proof method.

I would bet that you would get more torn tails on most critters if you ziped the full length and then tried to pull (peel) them without using a puller.

I have never used a zip type tool. I start about 5" down on the tail Insert a sharp pointed knife and cut towards the butt. Skin out that area then use a puller to strip out the bone. Then take a long thin bladed knife and Insert It and open up the rest of the tail.

Trying to open a tail and starting from the big end and slicing toward the small end Is just asking for trouble. And any one that does any otter It should be done the same way. You just have more control over your knife.

Right on Beav.