I caught a coyote this morning with what looks like possibly a gunshot wound. It looks fairly fresh. I know the coyote has no market value, but I've been wanting one for the wall. Would you mess with skinning this one? Or would the wound cause issues if its already starting to get infected? Mainly just asking from a fur handling standpoint.

I've tried attaching a pic. Not sure if it will show

If just for your wall and you’re hanging it with the back showing, then you’ll probably never see that. I’d still do it if it’s one you want to keep.

Might be a little aggravating to skin and flesh around the wound but can be repaired and make a fine wall hanger.

Skin it. If nothing more than for the practice of skinning it and sewing it up.

What makes you think it has no market value? From what I see in the photo looks OK to me. Just skin and sew the wound area up. Here's one I did and you cannot tell it was damaged when the pelt is turned fur out. It also sold on a fur auction for a very good price.

Thanks for the replies. Im not really worried about a hole. My main concern was if any infection had started, would it affect or cause issues with drying or tanning the pelt. I've still never put up any fur, so I didnt know if it would cause it to spoil prematurely before I can get it tanned. May have been overthinking it.

Skin it,flesh it,going easy around the wound,then either pin it closed on the board to dry or put a few stitches in it.
In that location it wont show,and there should be no problems tanning or drying.

I would it looks like a nice white, clear bellly with no stains. There are many with no damage that would not look that good on your wall.

Bryce

Skin it, flesh it, look for any slippage or cut hair (angled shots, the bullet sometimes cuts a line in the hair before entering the animal) trim them out and sew it up. If it is infected it may slip a little around the hole from the infection, but usually only a quarter inch or so that is easily trimmed off

Right, good belly for a Hoosier 'yote !

Skin um. Good lookin pelt. Nice sew job bctomcat. I have mended some fox. Yotes have thicker skin. Hold the stich better.