Skinning squirrel

[Irish]

What is the best way to skin a squirrel?

[treehunter2]

SOMEBODY else doing the chore,, when there warm is the best time , or with a buddy to hold on to them, they sure can make you sweat when there cold :(
frist.. i take there paws, heads ,tails, & off , then cut across the back and pull for all your worth then , slip the knife between the fur on the belly and pull of the head or tails piece then the other end. then its off to gutting them out, the rinse them good, then in to a big pot with salt, in a frig for a coulpe of day, the rinse off, and some dam good eatting.. that made me hungry ..

[Big Frank 25]

http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1999/11/3.htm

[Salmonsmoker]

For sure, while they are still warm. Excellent flavored meat.

[fishenfreak]

Tree
Do you have to keep the squirrel in the fridge with salt for acouple of days or can you clean it then cook it up in the same day.

[outsider]

No need to wait . Par boil ,and prepare as you chose . There are lots of ways to cook or prepare squirrel. But makeing sure that all the hair is removed ,imo is the hardest part. Then steam in a crock pot for the afternoon , and then pan fried, or boned and put in a gravy over rice is my favorite

[Salmonsmoker]

Look in the Small Game Recipies forum. There are several excellent recipies for squirrel.

[rkropp]

Wet and keep him wet. Cut all the way around the middle. Start peeling the skin back. When you've about got the skin back cut the legs and head off. Don't cut through the fur to remove head or legs By keeping the squirrel wet the hair won't get into the meat as much.

[treeman]

The best way to skin a squirrel is to make a horizontal slit through the skin below the tail of the squirrel and continue the cut through the tailbone. You will end up with the tail attached to the top of the butt by a flap of skin. Turn the squirrel on its back and stand on the tail and the flap of skin with one foot. Grab and pull on the back legs of the squirrel. The skin will peel off completely inside out which will prevent hair on the meat. The only piece left will be a triangular section between the rear legs of the squirrel. This can be easily removed by grabbing it with your fingers and pulling it off before you cut the head off the squirrel and while still standing on the tail. a good pair of diagonal cutters will cut off the feet and a sharp knife for the head. Should take less than one minute per animal.

[Dawg]

I slice the hide on the inside of the thighs and around the 'knees' then sever the front feet off completely at the middle joint. Then you can pull the tail while standing on the rear feet and pull the hide back clear to the neck and sever the head completely. Really not a two minute job with a good knife.

I've only ever done this while they are still warm. Good luck.

[tangleknot]

Originally posted by outsider
But makeing sure that all the hair is removed ,imo is the hardest part.

I was getting one ready for the freezer and the hair was very time consuming. Any tips on how to get it off the meat easier? It was almost as if it rerooted! LOL.

[outdoor junkie]

soak them in water first and hardly any hair will stick to the meat, makes it much easier.

[TAZ]

Hair removal
After soaking overnight in salt water with a little white vinegar added take a toothbrush and wipe over the meat. Works like a charm. Just don't use the wifes toothbrush. :D

TAZ

[Randy Kidd]

Dip the squirrel in boiling water for about 5-7 seconds, Skin zips right off with very little or any hair remaining.

[Ralph Smith]

Not sure on taking hair off squirrel, never cleaned any. But I know if there's hair on deer after skinning before I butcher them, I run a propane torch over them, which seems to singe up the hairs, and they just brush or fall off. May want to try it, just don't get too close to the meat.