How to Make a Homemade Squirrel Skinner
The best homemade squirrel skinners come in handy for many purposes. It can help you remove the organs and diaphragm, and the pelt is not difficult to separate. To make it easier, the skinner is made from bamboo, and it can easily be stored in a cabinet or the backyard. This recipe can be used to skin more than one squirrel at a time. The following instructions will walk you through the process.
Table of Contents
Remove the diaphragm
Before you can remove the diaphragm from a squirrel, you need to cut through the rib cage. The diaphragm is the resistance you feel along the sternum. This will allow you to remove the organs from the internal cavity. If you’re not careful, you may cut through the lungs or bladder, which will taint the meat.
Once the diaphragm is out of the way, you can begin pulling on the tailbone of the squirrel. The skin will fall off, allowing you to get a clean skin. You’ll need to practice to make sure you’re pulling straight and steady. Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to begin cutting. Remove the diaphragm to reveal the squirrel’s intestines.
The best way to skin a squirrel is to cut it below the tailbone. You can also try ripping the skin off in one piece. Regardless of the method you choose, you can always save the tail for arts and crafts. To make the process easier and faster, cut the tail and head at the same time. You can even make the skinnier a catfish skinner, if you want.
Remove the tail
A home-made squirrel skinner is simple to make. A small piece of aluminum plate, about 5×33/4 inches, has two slots cut through it and a single hole through the middle. The two outer thirds of the plate are bent at a 90-degree angle. This creates a U-shaped channel. The tail can be removed by pulling the hide from the rear of the squirrel.
Once you’ve removed the tail, the next step is to skin the rest of the animal. This requires a few cuts on the feet, head, and legs. It’s best to cut the tail off at the same time as the legs. Once you’ve removed the head, cut the legs off at the first joint. The back legs should come off in one piece. You can also use a catfish skinner if you’re short on space.
Remove the organs
After you’ve skinned the squirrel, you can start the process of removing the organs. First, you’ll want to separate the intestines from the rest of the body. Fortunately, it’s very simple to do this. Splitting the pelvic bone will allow you to access the organs and intestines. Generally, you can simply discard the organs and intestines.
To begin, you’ll need to prep the squirrel. You’ll need to separate the male’s organs from the female’s, which includes the organs of the stomach, intestines, and penis. If you’re using a male squirrel, first cut the slit across the back of the torso and insert your fingers to expose the organs. On female squirrels, make sure not to cut through any organs when skinning them.
Then, you’ll need to remove the organs. The liver is the most important organ. It’s best to avoid any organ that’s spotted or off-colored. In addition, if you see any white spots, you can discard it. Make sure to clean everything thoroughly before preparing and cooking the squirrel. After the squirrel is cleaned and prepared for cooking, it’s time to separate the organs.
Portion out the pelt
A home squirrel skinner makes it easy to portion out the pelt of a squirrel from the body. To do this, you’ll need a knife and a pair of hands. Start by holding the squirrel’s tail, then carefully break it. This will allow you to skin up the back, leaving a flap of skin attached to the tail. Next, make small cuts under the back legs, continuing the skin flap two to three inches up from the first vertical cut. Now, pull out the remaining skin to reach the point on the head.
Using a knife, begin by cutting the tail. This will release the skin, allowing you to reach the rest of the animal. Repeat this process until the entire pelt has been removed. If the pelt is too thick, you can use a scraper to make the task easier. You can also use a boot heel to catch the flap of skin beneath the tail.
How do you make a homemade squirrel skinner?
You will need a sharp knife a pair of pliers and a bowl of hot water.
First make a cut around the squirrel’s neck.
Second locate the skin’s seam that runs down the squirrel’s back and make a shallow cut along the seam.
Next use the pliers to grab hold of the skin and begin peeling it away from the body.
Be careful not to cut into the flesh.
Once the skin is completely removed dip it in the hot water to loosen any remaining fur.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
