What's the best way to skin a squirrel?

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

I timed myself today and I averaged about 6 minutes per squirrel. I think that's too long. Help!!! Usually I can't get to skinning them 'till they are stiff, so I know that doesn't help much.

I cut thru the tail from the rear, (but not thru the skin on the top of the tail) and then cut thru the skin all the way around the squirrel right in front of the rear legs, stand on the rear feet and pull on the tail to get the skin started, then stand on the tail and pull on the rear legs. I usually cut off the front feet first.

When I get the skin off, there is enough hair on the meat to make another pelt.

Suggestions/tips anybody? These are pretty good sized Fox squirrels. I shot 5 this afternoon in about an hour. I figured that if they are a pain in the butt when I'm sitting in the tree stand waiting for a deer, why not grab the .22 and sit there waiting for some squirrels? The shots were from 20 Yds to 70 Yds.

Any and all help is appreciated!

Blue-Dot-37.5

[Redclub]

Blue Dot
What I do with rabbits and squirrels is (it never is easy to skin a squirrel) As soon as I shoot them I skin and clean them I cut the head ,legs and tail off then cut across the back and pull apart. Then I put in plastic bag,as at my age anything I don't have to carry is a plus. I know you said you couldn't clean right away but do as soon as possible.
As I type this I am watching/helping deliver yellow lab pups 6 on the ground and 4 more to go. Field champion sired
Redclub

[whyohe]

redclub nice tips. post some pics of pups in photo album here i d like to see them!!!

[bubba]

me too !

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Thanks for the tips. I usually let them lay where they fall, the area is crawling with them and if I stay still more come out. Last 2 times out I shot my limit (5) without moving. It takes about 1/2 hr. for the woods to quiet down & the squirrels start running about after I walk out (it's really open and you can see for quite a distance).

I'll have to breed the Female that I have, she'll be too old in a couple of years and I want to keep the line going. I've been too busy to watch pups the past few years, this year I hope to have a bit of time to stay by the house. It's a lot of work, but worth it!

Come on, Bubba, how do you skin them??

Blue-Dot-37.5

[whyohe]

OH NO HES GOING TO SKIN THE PUPS???!!! ;D

[jims]

I have heard about another way to skin a cat but I never heard about pups.

[Redclub]

We had 8 pups 4males 4 females, I didn't take pictures of the pups yet, however you can see pictures and pedigree of the parents at our webpage. There is a lot of info about labradors and what to expect from a pup
Redclub
http://personal.pitnet./LDoll/

[Redclub]

Sorry the address is personal.pitnet.net/LDoll/
redclub

[predator11]

If you get those squirrels soaking wet and then skin it helps keep the hair off the meat. Instead of letting them lay why don't you find someone that will take them?

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Predator11:

I only let them lay 'till I shoot my limit, or they go into hiding. Sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't make myself clear. I can reach out to about 80 Yds with the .22lr, so I can cover a good sized area waiting for them. ;D I do clean them, but sometimes they have cooled down by the time I start cutting on them. I didn't think about wetting them down! Thanks.

Blue-Dot-37.5

[tar12]

Scott, I have a small skinning gambrel, it is made just for squirrels. I bought it from a Nite-Lite catalog several years back. I believe they still carry it.It is the "extra"hand you need when skinning.It has aircraft cable running throught it to hold both legs at one time.I start by making a cut acrooss the middle of the back.Get a hand on both sides of cut and pull in opposing directions.Hang back legs in skinning device.finish pulling hide of front(I carry a small pair of side cuts for leggs)Reverse in skinning device ,leave head on,and finish out.once you get the hang of it,you can knock them out in about 3 mins,or less.

[Blue-Dot-37.5]

Ya know, I might have one of those catalogs floating around here somewhere.....

Blue-Dot-37.5

[HighTeckRedneck]

I saw a trick to get the hair off of them this past year. Use HOT water. Just as hot as you can stand to stick your hands in and the hair just rinses rite off. Cool water makes it stick tight, but for some reason hot water has the oposite effect.

[ozark]

Squirrel skinning has always been a two person job here in Arkansas. First, we always try to make head shots because that causes instant death and doesn['t waste meat. One person holds while the other skins. The holder holds the rear legs with the back toward the skinner and the head down. The skinner first works the legs to remove any stiffness and then cuts through the base of the tail and carefully slices through the skin toward the chest area for a couple inches. then lay the knife down, and pull the tail and skin toward the head. It should peal off over the fore legs to a point where the skinner can pull the front legs through and cut off the feet. At this point cut the tail off and reverse the holders hold so they are now holding the head with the fur side away from the meat. The skinner can now start on the belly side and easily pull the hide over the back legs cutting off the back feet. Now remove the head along with the hide of the fore portions and lay the ungutted body down on a clean surface. When all the squirrel are so prepared remove any hair from the hands and the body of the squirrel. Done right there will be very few hair on the squirrel. The holder then holds the back legs while the skinner carefully cuts the pelvic bone and slits the belly insurring that no internal parts are cut. I split all the way through to the neck area and then carefully remove the bladder annus and strip the internal organs out and discard. This leaves a neat squirrel for whoever cuts it into cooking size pieces. I have a great squirrel caserol recipe but perhaps this isn't the place for that. It is easier to do the job than describe how to do it. Hope I haven't thoroughly confused my reader.. Good eating........

[wilmsmeyer]

If I ever need surgury I know who I'm calling first!