Hunting

How To Skin A Bird

By Outdoor Life Online Editor

Updated on Feb 1, 2021 9:29 AM EST

1 minute read

Outdoor Life Online Editor

1. Make the Incision
Slit the skin at the end of the breastbone lengthwise, keeping the cutting edge along the center of the breastbone. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
2. Peel Skin
Peel the skin away from the breast, down to the legs and up to the neck. work the skin over each thigh and upper leg, stopping when you reach the first leg joint. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
3. Break the Legs
At this point, bend each leg backward until the joint cracks. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
4. Behead the Bird
Remove the head and the feet with a knife. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
5. Break the Wings
Peel the skin away from the rest of the body. then take each wing and bend it backward at the first joint until it cracks. use a knife or shears to cut off the wing tips. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
6. Cut the Tail
Finally, cut off the tail at its base. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor
6. Cut the Tail
Finally, cut off the tail at its base. Extra: Six Tips for Game Bird Care Outdoor Life Online Editor

This illustrated six-step process is the basis for preparing all game birds: pheasant, grouse, quail and so on. As a bonus, we’ve included another six tips to ensure you don’t spoil the meat. Ready to get started?