How to Tan a Squirrel Hide 
To tan a squirrel hide, there are several steps that you can take. You can salt it, shave it, and cure it. Finally, you can remove the tanned surface with a wire brush or heavy-duty scrub brush. Follow the directions below for proper tanner preparation. If you have not tanned a squirrel hide before, read the following articles to learn how to do it right.
Salting a tanned squirrel hide
You can tan a squirrel hide using alum or Sodium Carbonate. To tan a light-skinned animal, you can use alum. A solution of one pound of alum in a gallon of water is enough to give the hide a rich brown color in 48 hours. To tan a light-skinned animal, make sure to use non-iodized salt. This is more commonly known as canning salt and rock salt is not appropriate.
When salting a tanned rabbit or squirrel hide, you should apply it liberally, covering all folds and edges. Make sure the hide is completely saturated with salt before hanging it. The hide should remain in the salt bath for at least two to four days and ten to fourteen days. Smaller animals should be prepared properly so that they can be hung on a rack for drying. Afterwards, you can reapply the salt if necessary.
Shaving a tanned squirrel hide
There are three main ways of shaving a tanned squirrel hide, depending on the type of animal and the desired look and feel. If you choose to remove the hair, use lye or unslaked lime to remove it. Wood ashes can be used as well. If you’re using a young child, make sure you supervise them while they work with caustic chemicals. You can also use a dog brush or other comb to remove mats.
After the pelt is clean, strip away any visible flesh and meat. A dull knife will help you achieve this, without nicking the hide. Then, soak it in salt solution for at least 24 hours. Once soaked, scrape away any remaining flesh and membrane. Make sure to put the hide into a solution of 2 pounds salt per four gallons of water and add alum. Let it soak for at least 24 hours before shaving it.
Curing a tanned squirrel hide
Tanning a squirrel hide requires several steps. You must first remove the meat and fat, and then turn off the blood. You should then salt the hide to seal in the moisture, then hang it to dry. Salting will also prevent slipping. You can choose to salt it wet or dry, depending on the type of hide you want. For a more natural look, try using an old sweater.
Before you start tanning, you must flesh out the animal to preserve its skin. You must first flesh out the pelt with a dull knife and then immerse it in a solution of 5 cups of salt to one gallon of water. Leave it in this solution for at least 24 hours, and then carefully remove any remaining connective tissue. You can then use your newly tanned squirrel hide to make hats, gloves, and other items.
Using a wire brush or high-duty scrub brush to remove a tanned squirrel hide
The first step in removing a tanned squirrel hide is to rough up the skin by scraping it with a butter knife. Using a butter knife is a good idea because its serrated edges catch the fat and membrane that are entangled with the hide’s fibers. You can also use a livestock hoof file or pelting sharp knife.
Depending on the type of skin and tanned method, you can easily strip the skin from the animal. You should be able to do this within 24 hours. This step is critical as roadkill can harbor a number of nasty critters. Wear disposable gloves and use sturdy plastic bags when handling roadkill. The skin should not be overly dry, but should be sufficiently moistened to soften. Afterward, apply a good quality softening oil on the skin side of the hide.
Smoking a tanned squirrel hide
There are several steps involved in smoking a tanned squirrel hide. First, prepare a fire and a piece of wood. For this task, you’ll need a firewood pit or a rock. You’ll want the fire to be hot enough to cause a lot of smoke. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to smoke a hide. Once the fire is hot, flip the pelt inside out and smoke the other side. After that, you’ll have a tanned squirrel hide ready to hang!
Once you’ve got your woods, you’ll want to prepare your tanned squirrel hide. To start, you’ll need to clean the hide and wring out any excess skin. Next, fill a garden bucket with warm water and white wine vinegar. Pour in the squirrel hide and let it sit for 15 minutes. If you leave it longer than that, it will return to a rubbery state and require rinsing. However, if you can wait for a few minutes longer, you’ll be better off.
Answers to questions 3-15:
3.
What is the best way to clean a tanned squirrel hide?
Answer: The best way to clean a tanned squirrel hide is to use a damp cloth and lightly brush away any dirt or debris.
4.
How do you remove the hair from a tanned squirrel hide?
Answer: The hair can be removed from a tanned squirrel hide by shaving it off with a sharp knife or using a pair of pliers to pull it out.
5.
What is the difference between a raw hide and a tanned hide?
Answer: A tanned hide has been treated with chemicals or smoked to preserve it while a raw hide has not.
6.
How do you prepare a tanned squirrel hide for use?
Answer: When you first receive a tanned squirrel hide you will need to soak it in warm water for 30 minutes to rehydrate it.
After it has soaked you can then stretch it out and allow it to air dry.
7.
What are some uses for a tanned squirrel hide?
Answer: Tanned squirrel hides can be used for a variety of purposes such as making clothing rugs or wall hangings.
8.
How do you store a tanned squirrel hide?
Answer: Tanned squirrel hides should be stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
9.
How long does a tanned squirrel hide last?
Answer: When properly cared for a tanned squirrel hide can last for many years.
10.
What are the risks of working with raw hides?
Answer: Raw hides can contain bacteria that can cause skin infections so it is important to wear gloves when handling them.
11.
What are the risks of working with tanned hides?
Answer: Tanned hides can contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritations so it is important to wear gloves when handling them.
12.
Is it better to buy a tanned hide or tan one yourself?
Answer: It is usually better to buy a tanned hide as the tanning process can be time-consuming and difficult to do yourself.
13.
Where can you buy tanned squirrel hides?
Answer: Tanned squirrel hides can be bought from online retailers or from some craft stores.
14.
How much does a tanned squirrel hide cost?
Answer: Tanned squirrel hides typically cost between $10 and $30.
15.
What are some tips for working with tanned squirrel hides?
Answer: When working with tanned squirrel hides it is important to wear gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals.
You should also work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any harmful fumes.
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.
