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Is there a trick way to clean a squirrel?
hedgeapple:
This is how I do my first attempt at cleaning a squirrel. It works about 80% of the time. If it fails and I just pull the tail off then I cut a slit across it's back, work my fingers in under the skin a pull in opposite directions as sited earlier.
I cut the tail off at the base of the pelvic bone. There's two very small tendons right under the skin that lead to the tail cut these without cuting the hide. Now make about an inch cut down the back of both hind legs. Put your foot on the tail as close to the squirrel's body as possible. Grab a hind foot in each hand and pull up. It will skin all the way down to it's head. But, the skin will break leaving the squirrel looking like it's wearing pants. Just grab the squirrel by the front legs and grab the little fur tab left on the belly side of the squirrel and pull back toward the hind feet. It will peal off easily. This method is the fastest and easiest I've found. Occassionally the tail with break off and I have to go to plan B.
RidgeRunner:
I clean my squirrels the same way Hedgeapple does.
It works well. Most of the time.
We call it the "Tail Stomp Meathod." ;D
David
FlintWalker:
I've done it both ways and prefer Hedgeapple and Ridgerunners way. I get less hair on the meat and strain less on them big red squirrels doing it that way.
hedgeapple:
Sometimes with an old white-face fox squirrel you might have to use a knife to cut the belly band using the "tail stomp" method. But, all in all I agree with Saw Filer about less hair. And don't forget you can use the upper part of the hide and head as a hand puppet to amuse friends and torment the dogs. Just don't let the dogs get close enough to chomp down on the puppet and your hand. Does that sound like experience talking? haha
Justin Snyder:
Let someone else clean them for you. ;D
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