How to Preserve a Squirrel Hide 
There are several methods of preserving a squirrel hide. You can dry salt it, use Olive oil to preserve it, or use Brain tanning. Listed below are three popular methods. Read on to discover the best ones! Whether you’re looking to preserve the brains of your new friend’s squirrel, or collect the entire skull as a collection item, these tips will help you. Let’s get started!
Dry salting
One method of dry-salting squirrel hides involves placing cooked brains in a paper sack. This keeps the brains out of reach of dogs. Another method is to fill a plastic container with a tight lid and leave the brains inside. The skull can be left intact if you wish to collect skulls from squirrels. The next time you hunt for a squirrel, dry-salt the hide.
To dry-salt a squirrel hide, simply apply a solution of Sodium Carbonate or alum in one cup of water. Once the pelt is completely dry, it should take about 48 hours to develop a nice tan. If the hide is light-skinned, you can use non-iodized salt (canning salt). Do not use rock salt. This method is not recommended for light-skinned animals.
After cutting away any excess meat or fat, the next step in dry-salting a squirrel hide is to lay it flat and apply a generous amount of salt. Do not cut into the hide, but rather, cut gently, without ripping it. Remember to save the skull, as this will contain the brains necessary for tanners. This process will take anywhere from two to four days depending on the size of your animal.
Brain tanning
The process to preserve a squirrel’s tail is simple, and doesn’t take much time at all. To preserve the tail, you’ll need non-iodized salt and a pliers. First, you’ll need to remove the bone from the tail. Using pliers, cut out the bone completely, then pour salt over the fleshy part of the tail. Treat the skin as soon as possible, and you’ll have a preserved tail.
The next step in preserving a squirrel hide involves cooking the brains. This will help remove the hair and other debris from the hide. Then, you’ll want to rub the brains into the hide. To add a touch of color to the hide, you can add a few grains of salt to the hide and stir them into the hide. Then, you can pour the brain solution back into the pickle, allowing it to soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, you’ll want to rinse the hide and pat it dry before storing it in the refrigerator.
Once the skin is ready, you can begin the tanning process. The tanning process is relatively quick, and can take up to 24 hours. You’ll want to stir the solution at least two or three times per day. While the hide is soaking, you’ll want to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. While California and Idaho do allow the sale of squirrel hides, the sale of eastern grey squirrels in Oregon and California is illegal.
Olive oil tanning
If you’re thinking of tanning a squirrel hide, you’ll probably want to know what to do first. There are several ways to do this, and each of them requires different steps. After all, you want to make sure the hide is properly dried. The first step is to remove the nails. Next, apply olive oil to the hide, working it into the skin side. It’s okay if the oil gets on the hair, as long as you’re careful not to saturate the hide too much. Then, fill a clean bowl with room-temperature water.
To begin the process, soak the hide in warm water for 15 minutes or overnight. Once the hide has been soaked, use a sponge or pastry brush to apply the solution to the hide. After the solution has been applied to the hide, use a wringing pole to gently squeeze out the excess solution. Once the hide has been thoroughly wrung, place it on a dry surface and wait for at least 48 hours.
Once the hide has been properly cooled, it is ready to be tanned. Before tanning, you should remove the hair. Then, place the skin over the bucket to let it drip. It should be ready to pickle in 15 minutes. You can even make a slackline from it! This technique is incredibly easy, and will result in a beautiful finished hide that won’t look cheap.
What is the best way to preserve a squirrel hide with salt?
Answer 1: By using a ratio of one pound of salt to two gallons of water the hide can be soaked for approximately two hours.
What are the benefits to preserving a squirrel hide with salt?
Answer 2: Salt will help to prevent the hide from decaying and preserve its natural oils.
How often should I check on the hide while it is soaking?
Answer 3: Every 30 minutes the hide should be checked to see if it needs to be turned.
What if the hide starts to float while it is soaking?
Answer 4: If the hide begins to float simply weigh it down with a plate or a rock.
How do I know when the hide is done soaking?
Answer 5: The hide is done soaking when it is pliable and soft.
What do I do with the hide after it is done soaking?
Answer 6: The hide should then be rinsed with clean water and squeegee off any excess water.
Can I preserve the hide without soaking it first?
Answer 7: Yes the hide can be preserved without soaking it first but it will be more difficult to work with.
What do I do if there is still salt on the hide after rinsing?
Answer 8: If there is still salt on the hide after rinsing simply pat it dry with a towel.
How do I know if I have removed all the salt from the hide?
Answer 9: Once the hide is no longer salty to the touch all the salt has been removed.
What do I do with the hide once all the salt has been removed?
Answer 10: The hide can then be placed on a rack to dry or hung up to dry.
How long does it take for the hide to dry?
Answer 11: Depending on the temperature and humidity it can take anywhere from 24 hours to several days for the hide to completely dry.
What do I do with the hide once it is dry?
Answer 12: The hide can then be tanned or used as is.
What is the best way to store the hide once it is dry?
Answer 13: The hide should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
How long will the hide last if it is stored properly?
Answer 14: Properly stored the hide can last indefinitely.
What are some uses for a preserved hide?
Answer 15: A preserved hide can be used for clothing rugs or other household items.
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.
