Cleaning Squirrels?

TGUNTER · 08-23-2009

I have heard different ways to clean squirrels it takes me a long time. Does anyone have any tips to doing it faster.I skin them basically like a deer. Also do you take the guts out in the field I do this for rabbits but is it necessary for squirrels?

esrice · 08-23-2009

I find dog shampoo to work fairly well, but getting the squirrel to hold still is the tough part.

TGUNTER · 08-23-2009

I can try the dog shampoo because they are usually not moving to much by the time I am ready to do the cleaning.

longbarrel · 08-23-2009

Tin snips and a sharp knife. Cut the feet off with tin snips. cut their head off. Cut under the tail along the back. Work the skin loose around the legs and arse. Hold by the tail and pull. Should be able to do it in less than 2 min.

Mgderf · 08-23-2009

The squirrels around my house clean themselves, what makes you think they need YOUR help?

TGUNTER · 08-23-2009

The skin and tail come off all in one pull?

Mgderf · 08-23-2009

Seriously, it's not a necessity, but it's a good idea to leave the guts in the field, especially if it's going to be some time before you get them cooled down.
If it's cold outside, just gut it and be done with it 'till you get home.
It's a LOT more crucial, if it's hot out. DON'T leave the guts in the animal for too long in warm weather.

Other than that, squirrel, deer, rabbit, etc... = mammals. They are all pretty much the same for cleaning. Some are just a LOT more work than others!

TGUNTER · 08-23-2009

Thanks for the info.

WinChoke · 08-23-2009

Make sure they're dead before sticking them in your pouch (don't want to get bit in the ***). Take catch home. Cut them round the middle with a sharp knife and peel back enough hide to be able to pull outwards. It's like pulling off pants and a shirt at the same time the opposite way with both hands. Cut it's hands and feet off as previously mentioned (I just do it with the knife, but tin snips sounds like a good way, too). Gut and cut up. Soak meat in salt water for a while. Cook and enjoy! Squirrel stew...YUM!

esrice · 08-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGUNTER

I can try the dog shampoo because they are usually not moving to much by the time I am ready to do the cleaning.

My comment was totally in gest, so don't go using dog shampoo on my account!

(I have to make comments in the Outdoors forum every once in a while!)

08-23-2009	#1 (permalink)
TGUNTER Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plainfield Posts: 199	Cleaning Squirrels? I have heard different ways to clean squirrels it takes me a long time. Does anyone have any tips to doing it faster.I skin them basically like a deer. Also do you take the guts out in the field I do this for rabbits but is it necessary for squirrels?

08-23-2009	#2 (permalink)
esrice Former Mod =( Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southside, Indianapolis Posts: 8,505	I find dog shampoo to work fairly well, but getting the squirrel to hold still is the tough part. __________________ Guess I'll have to come up with a new signature. . .

08-23-2009	#4 (permalink)
longbarrel Down a creek, with a paddle. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 323	Tin snips and a sharp knife. Cut the feet off with tin snips. cut their head off. Cut under the tail along the back. Work the skin loose around the legs and arse. Hold by the tail and pull. Should be able to do it in less than 2 min. __________________ Why have a 17 round mag when it should only take one?, Unless you are a madman and plan to kill 17.

08-23-2009	#5 (permalink)
Mgderf Shooter Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,597	The squirrels around my house clean themselves, what makes you think they need YOUR help? __________________ NRA Patron Life Member DORMANT U.S. Marine Semper Fidelis "The secret of my influence has always been that it remained a secret". "Cogito, Ergo armatium sum": I think, therefore I am armed

08-23-2009	#7 (permalink)
Mgderf Shooter Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,597	Seriously, it's not a necessity, but it's a good idea to leave the guts in the field, especially if it's going to be some time before you get them cooled down. If it's cold outside, just gut it and be done with it 'till you get home. It's a LOT more crucial, if it's hot out. DON'T leave the guts in the animal for too long in warm weather. Other than that, squirrel, deer, rabbit, etc... = mammals. They are all pretty much the same for cleaning. Some are just a LOT more work than others! __________________ NRA Patron Life Member DORMANT U.S. Marine Semper Fidelis "The secret of my influence has always been that it remained a secret". "Cogito, Ergo armatium sum": I think, therefore I am armed

08-23-2009	#3 (permalink)
TGUNTER Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plainfield Posts: 199	I can try the dog shampoo because they are usually not moving to much by the time I am ready to do the cleaning.

08-23-2009	#6 (permalink)
TGUNTER Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plainfield Posts: 199	The skin and tail come off all in one pull?

08-23-2009	#8 (permalink)
TGUNTER Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plainfield Posts: 199	Thanks for the info.

08-23-2009	#9 (permalink)
WinChoke Plinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alexandria Posts: 118	Make sure they're dead before sticking them in your pouch (don't want to get bit in the ***). Take catch home. Cut them round the middle with a sharp knife and peel back enough hide to be able to pull outwards. It's like pulling off pants and a shirt at the same time the opposite way with both hands. Cut it's hands and feet off as previously mentioned (I just do it with the knife, but tin snips sounds like a good way, too). Gut and cut up. Soak meat in salt water for a while. Cook and enjoy! Squirrel stew...YUM! __________________ A mine is a terrible thing to waste

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