The skin is thin enough that you often can peel it free from the breast meat. Slide your thumbs under the skin and working it up and away from the keel, or breastbone, to the base of the neck. Continue peeling the skin down the sides of each breast, all the way to the wings.
We dont really eat the skin, but will taking it off before cooking dry the turkey out?
The first thing to keep in mind is that nearly the entire turkey can be used for something. The wing bones can be transformed into turkey calls, the primary wing feathers into arrow fletchings and the secondary wing, tail and body feathers into fishing flies. Christmas wreaths, dry flower arrangements, pins, earrings, necklaces, bolos, blankets, hats and many other items can be fashioned from wild turkey feathers, spurs, beards and bones.
For a quick-cleaning method, many hunters simply choose to breast the bird out. Simply cut the beard free as mentioned above and cut the skin along the breastbone. You can then peel the skin away, exposing the breast, the major source of meat on the turkey, and cut them away from the breastbone as described above also.
The last step with either dry or wet plucking is to remove the small, hair-like feathers, or down. This is best done with a flame from either a small propane torch or a torch made from tightly rolled newspaper. The birds skin should be dry before this process. Lightly run the flame over the bird, being careful not to burn the skin.
Breaking Down a Whole Turkey
FAQ
Can you skin a turkey without plucking?
Is it better to skin or pluck a turkey?
Do you cut the neck skin off a turkey?
Should you separate skin from turkey?