Mike,
A very useful design for a general field dressing knife. It wouldn't be my personal preferance for a dedicated skinner but really all you need is a good sharp knife to get the job done.
I will make a few comments/suggestions.
Plunges- It looks to me like you've got your blade ground to the point where a J-flex would be in order to clean up the plunges. Even if you use your file to "set" the plunges and want to stay away from there with your rough belts it'll be ok to use a worn 220 or fresh 400 to grind the plunges nice and even. You've got enough of a "shelf" on the plunges to help the J-flex wrap around the platen. When doing my plunge adjustments I have the blade against the belt but really no pressure against the bevel. The pressure is more of a left or right pressure to get the tiny sliver of belt thats wrapped around the platen to grind the plunge.
I think your definately on the right track ! Time to begin working at the next step in your grinding evolution
I like to peen my pins also. I see no reason not to as it can only add to the strength of the handle attachment, IMO.
I think makers kinda feel out their own way to get a good result.
I like to epoxy one slab on and drill my pin holes, then epoxy on the second side and drill through from the first side.
I do this before doing any shaping on the handle material other than roughly cutting it to the shape of the tang.
Now I'll shape the handles to 95% WITHOUT the pins in.
Now epoxy pins in and peen while epoxy is still wet. I upset the pin by hitting it with the flat part of the hammer on both sides to expand the pin and fill the hole. Then I'll go back over and peen around the perimeter of the pin "head" till it looks like a mushroom.
Now the pin should fully fill the hole so when you final shape the handle on the grinder it will remove the mushroom and leave a nice round peened pin.
I've never used that G-10 although I've got some. I would guess that using a fiber liner would take care of seeing the holes through the handle material.
I think your comming right along buddy ! I also think it's time to start thinking about working on a more refined finish on your handles and blades.
-Josh