Squirrel skinning question

[Bloodnativ]

Every time I try to skin out the tail of my squirrels the thing just breaks off. I want to save them as part of the whole skin but this makes it very difficult. Please help. I am wasting part of the squirrel and this is distressing to me.

[Ridge Runner]

ok, cut the tail a little deeper into the back, when done correctly, you should have about a 1/2-5/8" strip of hide left, then slide the knife tip down around each upper thigh and cut the hide to get it started, takes a little practice but works like a dream when you get the hang of it, around nov. they start getting tougher so you have to cut further around the hips to initiate the peeling.
RR

Born To Hunt, Forced To Work.
http://ridge_runner_stw.tripod.com/r...twscyberspace/

[Tree climber]

if you want to save the skin on the hide to dry or the tail for lures.
once you get the squirrel skined down to the tail,put a large nail on each side at the base,grip the nails in your hand and the tail between your fingers,let the nails slide down the tail fron base to tip.the bone will slip right out of the skin.

if that is not what you are talking about,are you wanting to keep the meat from pulling off the hams????

or are you skinning the squirrel by the tail???

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

[Bloodnativ]

Thanks TreeClimber, I'll try that next time. I try to keep and use as much of the animal as possible regardless of what it is. Some of the tails probably will be sold others will be kept for personal use. The meat goes to the frying pan.

[gilber]

Are you talking about just tryig to save the tale or are you trying to save the whole squrill skin? Let me know and i can help you out...my im is sluggerman1518 and my e-mal is sluggerman1518@cs.com

[Bloodnativ]

Gilber, yes I am trying to save the skin and tail intact as one piece. They are worth more that way for the ones that I decide to sell. I think they just look better that way when displayed. My son just took his first one (I'll post the pics as soon as I get them developed) and his broke off. He was crushed. Just imagine how I felt!! Anyway, I don't want this to happen again. Thank you in advance for your help.