I often times shoot small game such as squirrels and rabbits. but i think that i would like to keep the hide so what is the best way to skin those types of animals. I can pretty much so get the hide off alright but im not sure on how to preserve it. also, they smell really bad so how do i get rid of that smell? thanks

Do a internet search on skinning, preserving, stretching, tanning, etc.... Skin them the way you want them and then be sure to get the flesh and fat off of them. If you are going to tan them, than you can start the process then, or salt dry them to preserve. You can (once fleshed) stretch and dry them without salt and often they will last some time. Borax will also help to dry them out more quickly if you don't salt. The smell may be the flesh, fat, blood, etc. You want them clean. A good soak in cold water will take out most blood. Some wash with dawn to help with fat, others hand wash with water and a bit of laundry detergent. Use cold water. There are countless ways you can tan them and many different things you can do with them to display.

I am by no means a professional, but I go from anus up the belly to the neck and slip it off like a jacket. The way I tan it is strech it on a board and rub salt into it and let it sit, then bend it until it is soft.

What gicts is doing will help preserve it, but is not a tan. It will last a long time, salted if taken care of. I've used protan from minnesota trapline products. It is user friendly and a chrome tan, so the chemicals won't leech out if it gets wet. Brain tanning can be effective and smoking the hide will help it to stay soft if it gets wet after brain tanning. Rittles EZ tan has an excellant reputation. Go to taxidermynet.com and look in the tanning forum.