How to Prepare a Squrriel Hide for Tanning

Squirrels come in several variaties, including gray and red.

Squirrel pelts are often used as patches in winter coats and in winter accessories, as well as practice for tanning larger animal skins. Squirrel hides are fairly easy to prepare for tanning due to their small size, while larger pelts have longer curing times and require extra effort to remove unwanted tissue and debris. The pelt of any animal requires drying and softening to prepare it for tanning. Salt can help dry a squirrel pelt, but it is not required.

Things You'll Need

• Small wooden board
• Tacks or nails
• Hammer
• Salt (optional)
• Scissors
• Knife
• Water
• Plastic or wooden container
• Scraping tool
• Smooth board
• Borax or baking soda
• Dish soap (optional)
• Large wooden spoon
• Wax thread

Instructions

1. Remove any excess flesh still attached to the pelt. Trim any ragged edges if necessary from the flesh side of the pelt only.

2. Nail or tack the pelt to a small wooden board, flesh side out. This allows the pelt to thoroughly dry. Position it so fluid drains from it easily.

3. Salt the pelt if desired to quicken the drying process, though squirrel hides are so small they should air-dry fairly quickly.

4. Soak the hide in cool water several times (three or four) in a garbage can or wooden barrel. This causes the hide to soften. Change the water each time you soak the hide to remove the excess flesh and grease that has come off the hide. The process should take about two hours or less, depending on the condition of the skin. Refrain from soaking the hide too long, which causes the hair to start to slip.

5. Lay the pelt on a smooth board as it begins to soften and work the flesh side with a scraping tool to remove tissue and fat. Dry pelts have a shiny tissue layer that must be broken up and removed before tanning. Scrap and soak the hide to remove the tissue.

6. Place the pelt in lukewarm water containing an ounce of baking soda or borax per gallon. Use enough water so you are able to stir the skin around in the solution --- a little more than what covers the pelt. Add a tbsp. of dish soap for extra-greasy skins. Stir the skin around in the solution with a large wooden spoon.

7. Place the skin on a smooth board with the flesh side up. Work the flesh with the back edge of a knife held nearly flat against the side, advises New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. Called "scudding," this process removes glandular tissue, dirt and debris. Rewet the skin in the solution if necessary.

8. Rinse the pelt in lukewarm water. Squeeze the pelt, but do not wring out the water. Repair any unwanted holes or tears using wax thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Large animal pelts, such as deer or bear, require salting in order to dry for tanning purposes.

• Pack the tail in salt to dry it out if desired.

• Do not soak hides for tanning in metal containers, as the metal reacts with salt and tanning chemicals.

References

• New Mexico State University: Tanning Deer Hides And Small Animal Skins

Resources

• National Geographic: Squirrel