How to Tan a Squirrel Hide With Salt 
How to tan a squirrel hide can be done at home without buying the animal, but first you’ll need to make sure you understand the process. Squirrel hunting can result in a lot of by-products, including tails. Learn more about how to use salt to brown a squirrel hide here. We’ll cover three different methods: Dry salting, fleshing with a fleshing tool, and brain tanning.
Dry salting
There are several ways to dry salt a squirrel hide. The most common is to immerse it in a five-cup solution of sea salt or table salt. This process will set the hairs and prevent the skin from degrading. Once the process is finished, you can remove the flesh and store the pelt in a sealed container. To dry salt a squirrel hide, start by soaking the pelt in the solution for 24 hours.
First, cut off excess meat and fat from the hide. Next, lay the hide flat and sprinkle it liberally with salt. Make sure that you cover the folds and edges of the skin. Make sure that the salt penetrates deeply into the hide. Allow the hide to dry for a few days before you display it. You can use a rack to dry the hide, but you should avoid placing it directly in the sun.
Using a fleshing tool
A fleshing tool is a piece of equipment that breaks down the membranes of a squirrel’s hide. The goal of this process is to make the hide permanently soft. Breaking the membranes will also leave a white cast behind. This is helpful when you’re tannishing the hide. If you’re not sure what to do with a fleshing tool, you can borrow one from a butcher.
Using a fleshing tool to ‘flesh’ a squirrel’s hide with salt is a simple process. First, you’ll want to stretch out the hide on a wooden board or piece of plywood. The flat surface of the board will help you flesh the hide. Don’t cut the hide too thinly, though, or you risk ripping it.
Using a tanning solution
If you’ve got some leftover squirrel hides from a hunt, you can tan them yourself with a few basic steps. First, prepare a Borax paste and apply it to the hide. Apply it with rubber gloves and leave it on overnight. After a few hours, remove it and scrape off any excess paste. You can then use the tanned squirrel hide to make something as unique as a leather belt or a nice decorative piece. Squirrel hunting provides plenty of squirrel hides and pelts for tanners, so it’s a relatively easy process.
If you don’t feel comfortable using a homemade tanning solution, you can use Fels Naptha or castille soap. These soaps need to be grate, just as you would make laundry detergent. Once dissolved in water, you can add a little Mink or Neat’s Foot oil to the solution. Next, apply it to the hide and roll it up while the solution is still on it.
Brain tanning
The first step in tanning a squirrel hide is to remove all of the fur. This step is simple enough, but it must be done carefully so that the hide remains intact. If possible, tan the hide using a hammer and a sharp knife. Then, place it on a flat surface that is about 40 degrees or above. Make sure there is no meat over one quarter of an inch thick.
The brain solution is similar to the ones that Native Americans used. They cook brains and rub them into the hide either hot or cool. The latter method is better because it removes the hair and makes the hide softer. Another method is the lard and flour method, which requires coating the hide with lard and rolling it until it draws blood. Once the lard and flour mixture has been mixed, it must be applied to the hide.
What is needed to tan a squirrel hide with salt?
In order to tan a squirrel hide with salt you need to have salt water and a large container.
How much salt is needed to tan a squirrel hide with salt?
For every gallon of water you need to add a half cup of salt.
How long does it take to tan a squirrel hide with salt?
The process of tanning a hide with salt can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
What is the first step in tanning a squirrel hide with salt?
The first step is to soak the hide in a solution of salt and water.
How often should the hide be soaked in the salt water solution?
The hide should be soaked in the salt water solution at least once a day.
What happens if the hide is not soaked in the salt water solution often enough?
If the hide is not soaked in the salt water solution often enough it will not tan properly and will rot.
After soaking what is the next step in tanning a squirrel hide with salt?
After soaking the next step is to remove the hide from the salt water and let it dry.
What happens if the hide is not allowed to dry properly?
If the hide is not allowed to dry properly it will rot.
Once the hide is dry what is the next step in the process?
Once the hide is dry it needs to be re-hydrated.
How is the hide re-hydrated?
The hide is re-hydrated by soaking it in water overnight.
After re-hydrating what is the next step?
After re-hydrating the next step is to remove the hide from the water and let it dry.
What happens if the hide is not allowed to dry properly after re-hydrating?
If the hide is not allowed to dry properly after re-hydrating it will rot.
Once the hide is dry what is the next step in the process?
Once the hide is dry it needs to be softened.
How is the hide softened?
The hide is softened by working it with your hands.
What is the last step in the process of tanning a squirrel hide with salt?
The last step is to apply a protectant to the hide.
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.
