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How to preserve squirrel tails?

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bjrogg:
For any hides just fur on rawhide. You split the tail. For my fur bearers I have a tail stripper and splitter. The stripper is kinda like a nut cracker pliers. It has two different diameter holes. Skin down the tail a ways. Then clamp the appropriate sized hole around bone and pull tail off bone. Then I use tail splitter. Which works kinda like a letter opener to split th tail. Then pin it on a board to dry. Scrape any fat or meat off. You could put a little borax mule team on leather to keep bugs off.
Bjrogg

chamookman:
The Mepps Spinner Folks buy tails. They tell You to split and remove the Bone and then salt. Kids have been doing this for Years. Bob

GlisGlis:

--- Quote ---They tell You to split and remove the Bone and then salt
--- End quote ---

actually they say not to remove bones:

Do NOT remove the bone from the tail. Deboned and split tails have no value.
Salt the butt end of the tail generously. Use either dry salt or dip in a strong saltwater solution.
Be sure the tail is straight before drying. Tails that dry in a curled position cannot be used.

bjrogg:
Really. I knew they used squirrel tail but I've never looked up their requirements.
I've never heard of anyone leaving bone in tail. Never tried it though. I have saved turkey legs by liberally rubbing borax into the cut off ends. Then I zip tie them to a form to dry them the shape I want the feet to be in.
Bjrogg

mullet:
Glis is right and you get paid by the quality and size of the tail. Brian, the way I skin the tail is ring it at the base with a knife then split a small branch 3/4 down and put it above the fir. Squeeze together and pull the squirrel up and the tail fur will come off.

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