Author Topic: squirrel skinning 101  (Read 9837 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
squirrel skinning 101
« on: January 16, 2005, 08:40:33 AM »
HOWDY ALL!

 this will be my first post . hope this is helpful to some of you.


 here is a little video that my friend knottybumpo and i made which shows squirrel skinning 101. you will need a late version of wmp to see it!

i am the scamp doing the skinning. http://members.localnet.com/~nickdd/

here are a few tips that may help you.

1. pull the tail along the back towards the head. just before the point where the tail joins the body there may be a part in the hair. this is the place to make the first cut. you cut straight down through the tailbone towards the back. some folks leave 1/4" or so of the bone on the body when finished. this won't hurt anything. avoid cutting below the tailbone. when you get this part right, you should never be cutting into meat at all.

2. after the tail bone is severed, you want to skin a flap of skin big enough to get the edge of your foot onto solidly. that's what this is all about. it's the flap of skin you stand on and not the tail. the tail is weak and will break. when you skin this flap back with your knife, as you get further back and wider, start to angle the cuts on both side toward the underbelly. i skin to about where the back legs join the body. at that point i will have the cuts angled toward the underbelly. on fox squirrels, i may make a longer flap for more surface contact. their hide is considerably tougher than the grays.

3. when you step down on the flap of skin, use the edge of your shoe and get it as close to the meat as possible. it helps to do the skinning on a flat hard surface. this is to keep the skin from slipping out from under your foot.

4. if the skin starts slipping from under your foot as you are skinning, it is best to stop and reposition it. breaking the tail makes it more difficult to get your foot into the correct postion. i have broken tails and still manage to skin them this way but it is a little more difficult.

5. if you get a big fox squirrel and the skin does not want to seperate at the belly on its own, you may have to use your knife to seperate it. this is not usual but with the tougher fox squirrels, it does happen.

6. i skin the squirrel all the way to where its head and front legs are showing and then stop. i wipe the hair on my right hand onto my britches(this keeps most of it off the squirrel) and grab the varmint with that hand around the skinned out ribs. do not take the pressure off the tail! now wipe the hair off your left hand onto your britches for the same reason. the hide is very tender on the belly. you can push your finger under it there and pinch it between them and your thumb. then with a quick jerk rearward the skin will come right off. see video. wipe off any hair on your left hand. with that hand, pull the front legs out of the skin.

7. you can now do one of two things. you can either grab the body with both hands and pull the head loose or you can just cut the head off while still attached to the skin. i usually just pull the head out of the skin. i normally never touch a knife once i have made the first cut through the tailbone. see video!

for you folks who have never tried this, you find it clumsy at first. remember, i have been skinning squirrels for over 40 years and have skinned a few thousand. it will take you a few to get the hang of it. when you do get good at it, you will enjoy squirrel hunting a little more!


the video is hosted by num1dad. many folks have viewed this on his webpage and i like to make sure we thank him for it occasionally!

luck!

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 26944
  • Gender: Male
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2005, 09:42:02 AM »
That takes too long. I just make a cut mid way of the back big enough to get a couple fingers into. Then grab with things on both hands and pull away. All of the skin comes off even from hind legs. Then cut off legs at joints and tail. Can do it faster than I can type it for sure.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2005, 10:36:23 AM »
graybeard:

 i have hunted squirrels in quite a few states and have personally witnessed some methods of squirrel skinning that made me shudder. one was to nail its head to a tree.

 the video is intended for folks who have no clue on how to start cleaning a squirrel. this is also a method that young folks can master as they may not yet be up to the strength it takes to pull the hide off by pulling in both directions.  those big fox squirrels can be tough.

 it is also the most hairless way of skinning squirrels i have yet seen. none are completely hairless.

 there are lots of ways to skin a squirrel. this is just one of them. the cut across the back method is a common one. there are good squirrel hunters that use both methods.  life is about options and they are what make it interesting! lol!

                                                       luck!

Offline ratgunner

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2005, 04:31:10 PM »
That was very interesting,I learned a new way to skin a cat I mean squirrel.One thing for newbies is to not wait too long after they are dead to skin em,it seems tougher to do.Can't wait to try this method,but what about the back legs? :D
"Non Gratum Anus Rodentum"

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2005, 07:34:58 PM »
ratgunner:

 you better get your good eye on the video again. lol!  i did skin out the back legs.  

 hope the vid is useful to you.


                                                     luck!

Offline rickyp

  • Trade Count: (19)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3052
  • Gender: Male
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2005, 06:41:39 AM »
that video is good for a start. You need to make one showing how to gut a squirrel

I can see a new forum for graybears: how to videos


What did you use to make that video and how did you put it on the web?

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2005, 07:02:43 AM »
rickyp:

 the video is a couple years old. transfering files has become lots faster these days with some folks having cable modems. it does not take much time to make a vid/aud. file huge. we edited it to the skinning only to keep the file smaller.

 the skinning part is what most people have trouble with. i now use a pair of game shears to gut and cut and they are really great. i will put it my my long list of things to do....make new squirrel video. lol!

 the video was shot and edited by my hunting partner with a digital camcorder. he worked it down to under a meg. by cutting the front and end.

 i then put it on my webpage where it got so many hits that my isp sent me nasty notes and threatened to cut me off.

 the vid. as you see it is on a website hosted by a nice fellow who uses the name num. 1 dad.  he is the reason you can see it. he has a copy of it with my permission.

                                                     luck!

Offline Dave in WV

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2162
squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2005, 10:25:07 AM »
Good info. Thanks for sharing.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
--Albert Einstein

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2006, 05:48:30 AM »
since the squirrel season is either here or coming up soon, i thought i would bring this back up.

                                                  luck!

Offline DaveH

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 438
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2006, 09:47:09 AM »
SQUACKS,
                I have always cut around the middle of the squirrel and worked the hide off of it working back then once I have the tail and rear legs cleared I work the hide off forward.  This has worked for me for years, but you know what they say you learn something new every day...

dave h.
Dave H.
US Army SFC(Ret)

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2008, 06:23:49 AM »
for those of you who are starting a new season or folks just starting out for the first time, this may be of use.

 good luck this fall.

Offline 357magrifleman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 54
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2008, 01:01:08 PM »
i learned as a child to clean a squirrel as Graybeard described, but I have read about this method in a wildlife cookbook.  I just couldn't picture the process in my head..  Thanks for the information

Offline okieshooter

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Gender: Male
  • shoot for the moon, land in the stars
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2008, 06:07:25 AM »
you guys don't make your wife skin 'em?? ;D ;D ;D
Thanks,
Okieshooter

Offline TribReady

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1059
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2008, 06:13:11 AM »
Interesting....thanks.

Don't know if I'll change from the method I use (same as Graybeard), but who knows?
A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have. -Thomas Jefferson


...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  -2 Chronicles 7:14

Offline Mack in N.C.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 271
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2008, 03:57:45 PM »
i also use the same method as graybeard and i beleive it is the fastest and easiest...mack

Offline Kurt L

  • Trade Count: (15)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 684
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2008, 04:21:05 PM »
I must say I like okieshooters method best ;D
KURT LGo TO RIFLE RED RYDER SUPER MAG CARBINE

Offline beethoven

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2008, 01:35:50 PM »
Liked the video. Very helpful. Got one for rabbits?

Offline XD9

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 308
  • Gender: Male
  • Match Grade Makes A Difference!
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #17 on: October 14, 2008, 02:07:45 AM »
I had been using GB's method as well for the last few years.  However, late last season, I ran across this video and I am now using it.  I really like it and it's very fast and clean.  I've shown it to a few buddies who are now using it too.  Thanks Squacks!
I'm an accountant and I carry a gun...'nuff said

Offline S.S.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2840
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #18 on: January 24, 2009, 07:56:35 PM »
A buddy of mine found this video on another site and after skinning the squirrels
we had shot in this manner, he decided to tan the hides and has since made
a really neat armguard for bow hunting from one of them. and is working on a
knife sheath from another one. I am going to get him to make me
a small pouch to carry the roundballs for my muzzle-loader in too.
The other way is much faster but this way leaves more of the hide in tact to
get creative with.
Vir prudens non contra ventum mingit
"A wise man does not pee against the wind".

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #19 on: June 28, 2009, 12:00:06 PM »
S.S.

 I was a trapper for many years and i would suggest to you that if you want to use any animal for its hide, then you should learn to skin it using the cased or open method.

 the cased method is going to leave less hair on the carcass if you intend on eating the animal.

 the cased method is meant for pelting animals and i would not use it on squirrels where i am only going to eat them and discard the hide. either the method i have shown here or cutting across the back is going to be faster.

Offline Dee

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23870
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #20 on: June 28, 2009, 01:02:19 PM »
SQUACKS, I have been huntin squirrel for over 50 years and I must say I have never seen that method. With arthritis in my hands, I have now learned something I will most thankfully use. Much obliged.
You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas. Davy Crockett

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #21 on: June 29, 2009, 03:22:14 PM »
Dee:

 I have been hunting squirrels for 48 years and that was the way i was taught by my dad.

 this is a clean way to skin squirrels and works on big fox squirrels too. it is also easier for youngsters to do and i personally watched 2 ten year olds skin some this way just a couple of weeks ago down in south Mo.

 we had an invitational hunt there and 16 folks showed up from kansas, mo., il. and arkansas. it was a great time for sure!

                                                              luck!

Offline teamnelson

  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4487
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #22 on: June 29, 2009, 03:42:16 PM »
In the spirit of the only dumb question is the one not asked ...

how much meat do you get off a squirrel? and using the cased method to preserve the hide, what then do you do with the hide?

Hunted a lot of rabbit and ground vermin; not had occaission to hunt squirrel yet.
held fast

Offline Dee

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23870
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #23 on: June 29, 2009, 03:53:16 PM »
Dee:

 I have been hunting squirrels for 48 years and that was the way i was taught by my dad.

 this is a clean way to skin squirrels and works on big fox squirrels too. it is also easier for youngsters to do and i personally watched 2 ten year olds skin some this way just a couple of weeks ago down in south Mo.

 we had an invitational hunt there and 16 folks showed up from kansas, mo., il. and arkansas. it was a great time for sure!

                                                              luck!

It seems to be a dying pastime down here in North Central Texas. In the fifties I have seen my Cherokee Grandfather knock the nose off of squirrels in the forks of huge sycamore trees (BEFORE SCOPES) when I couldn't even find the squirrels. All we have here are fox squirrels here for the most part, until you move about 30 miles east and you run into some grays.
My favorite squirrel gun now is a Model 92 Winchester clone loaded with extremely light 38 special cast bullets I mold, and load. With the 24" octagon barrel, and the Lyman peep sight these 60 year old eyes can still take one off a limb with a head shot, and you don't have to worry about the bullet, it runs out of steam much faster than a 22 rifle.
Our method of skinnin was to make a cut between the back legs and pull it over his head startin there. I like yours better. ;)
You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas. Davy Crockett

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #24 on: June 29, 2009, 04:26:10 PM »
In the spirit of the only dumb question is the one not asked ...

how much meat do you get off a squirrel? and using the cased method to preserve the hide, what then do you do with the hide?

Hunted a lot of rabbit and ground vermin; not had occaission to hunt squirrel yet.

 Sir;

 i have personally never used a squirrel hide for anything but tying flies . i used to sell the tails to a spinner outfit that shall remain unnamed because we fell out over the price. somebody here mentioned wanting to use the hide and the way i skin them for meat is not the way  to get an entire hide.

  have seen folks say they make bullet pouches and some other small things out of them. i do have a squirrel skinning knife a good friend made for me and he covered the sheath in squirrel hide with the hair attached.

 2 or 3 squirrels will feed a feller one meal. they taste really good and make the FINEST gravy you ever tasted.

                                                               luck!

Offline Dee

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23870
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #25 on: June 30, 2009, 03:43:38 AM »
4-10 on the squirrel gravy, and squirrel and dumplins ain't half bad either. A friend of mine, now deceased said he and his brothers used to tan squirrel hides, lay them out flat, and cut them in a circle, making shoe strings out of them back in the depression. He said they used everything on the squirrel. Even the "bark".
You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas. Davy Crockett

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #26 on: June 30, 2009, 03:21:36 PM »
Dee;

 you should try and make the Shawnee hunt sometime. it will always be in mid
Sept. and your rifle is legal to use there. There are a lot of good squirrel hunters that come and  i have learned a thing or three from them.

 There is a hunt in Mo. in the spring and there is supposed to be one in Arkansas later this fall.

 There are some great folks that show up at these hunts and we have a lot of fun.

 

Offline Dee

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23870
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #27 on: July 01, 2009, 01:37:09 AM »
Might try and make the Shawnee hunt.
You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas. Davy Crockett

Offline SQUACKS

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 224
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #28 on: July 01, 2009, 11:43:07 AM »
Dee;

 if you ever come to Shawnee, be sure to bring a good scoped rimfire rifle of some sort as a back up. the timber is Tall and it is pretty tough coming by squirrels most of the time with an iron sights gun.

 we have an iron sights contest while there, but nobody hunts with one much except at that time...and for good reason! lol!

                                                                     luck!

Offline Dee

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23870
  • Gender: Male
Re: squirrel skinning 101
« Reply #29 on: July 05, 2009, 02:52:44 PM »
I have an old marlin 22 automatic with a Leopold 3.5 X 10 Vari-X III on it. The scope is worth about 10 times more than the rifle. :D
You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas. Davy Crockett