Dave,
First....use a stud finder and determine for sure whether there are screws. I've attached a leather covered pad with screws that are anchored in epoxy, so there are no plugs or other outward evidence of screws. So it is possible. If they are there, then, yes, you can slit the leather to remove with minmal damage, but it's still damaged goods.
Second....If there are no screws and it is glued on I'd apply heat with a gun or hair dryer. If it was glued on with some foresight, it's possible the heat will soften the glue and you can work a piece of monofilament between wood/pad, and use a sawing motion to remove it.
Third...follow Chuck's advice, but you might want to just "git 'er done" and take off half a kerf of wood while you're at it.
