Easiest way to skin a squirrel?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

What's the easiest way to skin a squirrel? Do they have parasites and if so, can you get sick from eating one (new to squirrel hunting). Anything else you can tell me?

 

[JB12]

How about, not!

 

[JUST1MOR]

Easiest ??? Have your hunting buddies do it . . .
Seriously though, check with someone you hunt with or is a hunter, a lot easier to demonstrate than to explain over the Internet or phone.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Make a slit below the tail, deep enough to severe the tail itself but be sure to leave the skin between the now-severed tail and the animal's back intact.

Step on the tail with your full body weight. Grab the rear legs and lift, hard. The skin comes right off.

Here's an excellent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AVwthXgMA

Do this a few times and it will become obvious to you how to modify the technique to make it easier - small changes in the angle and length of the cut make it much easier, but they are hard to describe. You'll figure it out.

Squirrels are good eating if cooked well, but that can be tricky. Young ones are best. If using a .22, limit yourself to head shots, or better yet, learn to 'bark' them. Be careful to keep the hair off the meat, it is very difficult to remove. Latex gloves help a lot.

 

[MikeH]

Cut a slit on the squirrel's back just behind the front shoulders. Insert index and middle finger on each hand and pull. Chop off the feet and head, gut and rinse. This is a very easily done technique. The only problem is that, if the body is shot up badly, especially in the abdomen area, you may pull the critter in half and have to work the skin off in a more conventional fashion.

If it is an older squirrel, par-boil it before frying and it will be just as good as a young one. Make gravy and biscuits, preferably homemade. My favorite breakfast when I was growing up.

 

[hung-solo]

Make a slit below the tail, deep enough to severe the tail itself but be sure to leave the skin between the now-severed tail and the animal's back intact.

Step on the tail with your full body weight. Grab the rear legs and lift, hard. The skin comes right off.

Here's an excellent video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AVwthXgMA

Do this a few times and it will become obvious to you how to modify the technique to make it easier - small changes in the angle and length of the cut make it much easier, but they are hard to describe. You'll figure it out.

Squirrels are good eating if cooked well, but that can be tricky. Young ones are best. If using a .22, limit yourself to head shots, or better yet, learn to 'bark' them. Be careful to keep the hair off the meat, it is very difficult to remove. Latex gloves help a lot.

yep.

here is an interesting vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFheq3Djr2c&feature=related

 

[DennisStrickland]

i certainly second mikeh on the method he described. quick & less hair contamination.
dennis