An animal hoisting and skinning apparatus and method that facilitates skinning and processing of large game animals such as deer, as well as smaller furbearing animals, while the animal can be lifted either by the hind legs or the head. The hoisting and skinning apparatus, self-contained and not dependent on a tree or vehicle, has a stationary base with a winch attached at the ground and a crown at the top supported by multiple legs. A winch cable from the winch is passed through a pulley at the crown and back to the ground where an animal is attached and lifted. The disclosed hide grabbing devices are attached to loosened hide, secured to the base, and the carcass is pulled from the hide.