1. Preparation: Gather all the necessary tools such as sharp knives, gloves, a tarp or plastic sheet and a container for holding the hide. Choose a secure and well-ventilated area to work in.

2. Safety first: Always wear gloves when handling animals, especially if they are of unknown origin or health status. This will help prevent the spread of disease and protect you from any potential hazards.

3. Secure the animal: Position the carcass on a stable surface with the legs spread apart. To prevent slipping, consider securing the legs to hooks or nearby branches if working outdoors.

4. Make initial cuts: Starting at each of the animal’s ankles, cut around its leg by slicing through the skin, but not deep enough to reach muscle tissue.

5. Connect the cuts: Carefully draw a line between the cuts made on both hind legs, running along the inside of each thigh and connecting them at the base of the tail.

6. Extend incisions: Now connect the front foot incisions to the back foot incisions by cutting along the flank and sides of the animal.

7. Begin separating skin: Use your fingers to separate and lift away skin from muscle tissue in areas where cuts were made. Be cautious not to tear or puncture organs during this process.

8. Remove tail and genitalia: Once you’ve exposed enough tissue around the base of the tailbone, cut straight through using your knife. You’ll also need to remove any genitalia attached to the skin at this point.

9. Work your way forward: Continue working on one side of the carcass, peeling back and detaching skin from muscle tissue as you make your way towards its head.

10. Detach limbs: Once both sides have been skinned, move on to completely severing each limb from its socket joint.

11. Free neck and head: For smaller animals, simply cut out the head and twist it off. If you are dealing with a larger animal, skin around the neck by separating muscle from skin, and be extra cautious to avoid puncturing the windpipe or esophagus.

12. Finalize removal: Carefully cut and detach any remaining tendons or ligaments until the entire hide is removed from the carcass.

13. Clean the hide: Using a knife or sharp instrument, scrape off any excess fat, tissue, or debris still clinging to the inside of the skin.

14. Preservation: To preserve your newly acquired hide for later use, stretch it out on a flat surface and salt it generously. Let it sit for several days before moving onto additional tanning processes.

15. Dispose of remains responsibly: Be sure to properly dispose of any leftover animal remains in accordance with local regulations, being mindful of potential predators and scavengers in the area.

With these 15 steps, you’ll be well-equipped to skin a dead animal for various purposes such as leather tanning, taxidermy, or utilizing animal fur. As always, exercise caution when handling sharp instruments or working with unknown animals to prevent injury and ensure safety.