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tanning squirrel skins

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BrianS:
I tried a (new to me) product called Dixie Tan to tan these squirrel skins. Not sure what is in it. Smells like Sassafras and spreads on like mud. I was not too concerned with the tails as I will probably cut them off if I make the skins into little bags. Seemed to do a pretty good job. I guess time will tell how the skins hold up.

Hawkdancer:
If the hides are pliable and soft when they are staked and stretched, you done good.  They should make nices pokes.
Hawkdancer

Ed Brooks:
I just did a squirrel hide with Mayo, it turned out pretty good. Ed

Cade:
I'm not really familiar with Dixie tan or any other commercial tanning solutions. Do you know if it will stay pliable even if it gets wet? Or do you still have to smoke it for it to stay soft like with brain tanning?

BrianS:
I was not sure about the smoking part so I smoked them. Figured it would not hurt. Here is a picture of smoking the skin using punky birch in a ammo can stove and two little bags I made (still need to make a little toggle from a antler tip to keep the flap closed). Front is Dixie tanned squirrel and back and flap is from a brain tanned deer I did last summer. I made one for myself and the other as a gift to my Grandson (I am planning on putting a fire starting kit in his). I hope he likes it (His "Papa" killed the deer and squirrels, tanned the hides and then sewed up the neck bags).

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