What Glands Do You Have to Avoid While Butchering a Squirrel?
Squirrels are easy to butcher, and their organs are located in the chest cavity. The organs, such as the lungs, are separated from the rest of the body by the diaphragm and pubic bone. To get to the organs, split the pelvis, and remove the last bits of intestine. Then, butcher the other parts of the body.
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Preorbital glands
Once you have the animal down, you can begin butchering. Cut open the belly and intestines, and then reach into the chest cavity to remove the remaining organs. These include the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Save the rib cage, if possible. Next, use shears to slice the pelvis. This is the exit point of the digestive tract, so cutting through this part is tricky.
While butchering a squirrel, be careful not to cut the preorbital glands. These glands come in two forms: the gray matter gland and the supraorbital gland. A gray matter gland looks like a dime-sized strip of skin, and is easily spotted. Use a sharp knife to cut them out. These glands produce a musk, which is the most common odor of dead deer.
Tarsal glands
When butchering a squirrel, it is important to avoid the tarsal glands and the digestive tract. When cutting off the tail, keep the digestive tract and muscle on either side of the tail in mind. Using a heavy knife or cleaver, cut the squirrel in half from the groin, using a straight line up to the sternum. Make sure to cut the tip of the knife upward, as it will prevent you from puncturing the guts.
After you’ve removed the tarsal glands from your squirrel, you can then move onto the next step: butchering the meat. You need to be very careful when doing this, because it can result in gamey-tasting meat. Always wash your hands thoroughly before butchering a squirrel, and don’t forget to wear plastic gloves. You can also hang the tarsal glands from trees three feet off the ground near your stand to make harvesting more effective.
Tarsal glands on the back of the legs
The tarsal glands on the back of the leg of a squirrel are particularly difficult to remove. The glands are a combination of gristle and fat. The white tail has two tarsal glands, which you should remove before field dressing. If you cannot spot these glands, you can always use your nose to locate them and rub them with a clean finger.
The tarsal glands on the back of the leg of a deer are a prime target when butchering a deer. The glands are located on the lower hind leg and are surrounded by long hairs. They secrete a musky odor when deer urinate on them. Bucks also urinate over these glands during the rut, which advertises their dominance and virility. Tarsal glands may contain special bacteria that make them smell particularly powerful. This may help determine the marriage compatibility between the deer and another member of the herd.
Deer tarsal glands are another source of bacteria. Since deer urinate and secrete an aromatic smell, these glands are prone to bacterial growth. These bacteria can ruin the meat or make you sick. To avoid these bacteria, you should thoroughly wash your hands before handling deer tarsal glands. You can also put them in a zip lock bag for safe storage.
Tarsal glands on the inside of the hind legs
Squirrels’ tarsal glands are a prime target for butchers. These glands have a distinct odor. They are connected to the sebaceous gland, which secretes fatty material on the skin to protect them from bacteria. The hairs on the tarsal glands are also arranged in scales for a larger surface area. The tarsal gland is also the source of urine deposits during rub-urination.
To avoid contamination, the tarsal glands of deer can be stored in a zip lock bag. The glands must be hung at least three feet off the ground to allow for a cross-wind to carry their scent. The tarsal glands should be placed in an area where the scent will be a deer’s first warning. It is best to avoid leaving the tarsal glands in the field as this practice is a good way to teach deer that deer are not welcome.
Tarsal glands on the inside of a squirrel’s hind legs are also a prime target for butchers. Deer have a secretion of a musky odor that identifies them as the original owner. This smell is enhanced by deer urinating on the glands and rubbing the skin against each other. During the breeding season, deer sniff each other’s tarsal glands to determine their sex or marriageable status.

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.