Skinning a cougar????

[flinter]

Which way do you prefer to skin a cougar for a lifesize standing mount. Dorsal cut or belly incision

[carpsniperg2]

If I ever kill one to mount. I will do a dorsal cut on it. The spot that I have picked out for it, is going up the stairs and you will be looking up at it. So I think the dorsal cut will be the best way to do it.

[carpsniperg2]

I had thought about that as well. Just like how ya skin a yote. I just didnt know how well the lines on the back legs and across the backend would blend in when it is done.

I will like to hear the taxi's thoughts on this.

[Bean Counter]

Tag 

[cedarriver]

 I would recommend belly. Problem with a Mt Lion is their hair isn't quite long enough to hide the incision, especially after it comes back from the tannery and they shave the hide down to a different thickness on both sides. So when you sew it back together you have a thick side and maybe a thin side being swen together, the seam will show bad. Hope this makes since. Hair on the belly is plenty long to hide seam. Case skinning is good to, but some tanneries charge more when cased.

[boneaddict]

Thats a good question.......   I would probably belly it as I would with a bear.   That way I have options.   cut down the back and you are SOL for a good rug if you change your mind.

[carpsniperg2]

This is a good one. I have thought about what i would do as well. I have been around a few dead ones but never skinned a cougar before. I have often thought that the cuts on the back of the legs would be hard to hide. Since the hair is so short.

[cedarriver]

Nope carpsniper, if you stay on the hair line,(where the tan meets the white) it's no problem

[flinter]

If you case skin, can you then slip hide on form like a sock? Or do you need to cut form in half to get hide on when you mount it?

[pianoman9701]

can you separate the skin with an air compressor as with coyotes?

[MtnMuley]

I would recommend belly. Problem with a Mt Lion is their hair isn't quite long enough to hide the incision, especially after it comes back from the tannery and they shave the hide down to a different thickness on both sides. So when you sew it back together you have a thick side and maybe a thin side being swen together, the seam will show bad. Hope this makes since. Hair on the belly is plenty long to hide seam. Case skinning is good to, but some tanneries charge more when cased.

   For some reason my response didn't come though.  You summed it up exactly like I tried to. 

[MADMAX]

I tubed mine
left tail whole and pads from joint down
never gutted it at all and boned out the meat
Came out great as a rug

[JackOfAllTrades]

Tag!   

[Encore 280]

Just goes to show, There's more than one way to skin a cat!

[Michelle_Nelson]

If your going to skin a Cougar I recomend the skinning up the belly.  There should be no problem hiding the seam.