Before skinning a beaver first make sure it is dry and clean. If the beaver needs to be dried it is best to lay it on its back on a grate or something similar so that air can circulate around the whole beaver. Putting a fan on the animal will speed up the drying process. Brush the beaver with a fur comb to remove any burrs, mud or mats.

The next step is to remove the feet. Very close to the fringe of fur above the feet on the front legs is the wrist joint. This joint can be felt with the finger and thumb and one cut across the joint with a sharp knife will sever the foot. To cut off the hind foot, first, bend the foot forward towards the belly of the beaver, bending it fully forward at the heel. With the foot held this way, cut across the cords at the back of the foot and keep cutting all around the foot with it still bent forward. A snap sideways after this cut is finished will usually break the foot free from the leg.

The next step is to slit the pelt from the chin to the tail on the belly side in a straight line. Cut around the vent on both sides.
Cut the pelt around the tail being careful not to cut too deep. Cutting deep will sever veins which will cause much bleeding. Leave the tail on as it will give you a place to carry the carcass once skinned.

Note: Beaver castors, on both males and females, are found on each side and just forward of the vent.

These should be removed carefully with a knife or pulled free with the thumb and finger so the sacs are not broken, which would let the oil run out. They should be tied at the cords and hung until dry. The more care used in removing and drying, the more castors are worth. They are used in making scents and perfumes.

The pelt is then skinned back one side at a time to the back. When the legs are reached, do not slit them open but pull them through, pulling the hide off the way you would take off a sock. Be careful with the skinning knife around the legs because the skin is easily cut in these tender places. Skin the head carefully. Cut the ears off close to the skull. Skin around the eyes and nose and the pelt is free from the carcass.