Skinning squirrels

[Bicycleman]

Often, I watch YouTube videos on "HOW TO" do things.  Recently, there was one on the quickest way to skin a squirrel.  It was over seven minutes long. 
HUMMMM!
I have had some practice skinning squirrels and have tried several different techniques.  But I am not the best.  However, at normal speed, being careful not to get hair on the meat, a squirrel will be skinned and gutted in less than five minutes.  If I hurried it, I could probably get the time down into the three plus minute range.
How fast are you?  Time yourself next time and post the time.  Also, you might mention the method you use.

[Xraycer]

The method I use takes about 5 minutes. First I chop off all 4 paws. Cut a slice through the fur across mid back. Using both hands at the cut section, pull one section of fur towards the head and the other section of fur towards the tail end. Just like taking off a sweat shirt and pants. When fur reaches head, chop head/fur off, and when fur reaches tail, chop tail/fur off. The I carefully make an incision just below the sternum/rib cage, and using the handy gut hook of my knife, run it down to the pelvic bone, and then up into the shoulder region. Using my index and middle finger, like a set of hooks, I grab all the anatomy in the chest cavity and pull down and out to free all the guts. Once all the guts are hanging on the outside of the carcass, very carefully cut off the very end section of the intestine, to free the guts.

[19Sheridan57]

   +1
Pretty much the same method as Xray. I skin them when they are still warm , too.

[Xraycer]

I skin them when they are still warm , too.

Definitely much easier to do before rigor mortis sets in

[longislandhunter]

I use the method where you lift the tail, make a cut at the base of the tail cutting through the skin and severing the tail bone at the same time, then you lay the squirrel on it's back, place your boot firmly on the squirrels tail while you grab both rear legs firmly.  Now you pull up forcefully on both legs and pull the squirrel up forcefully.  The skin will peel off all the way up to the head and front legs.  A quick pull frees the skin from the front legs and you now cut off the head.  Now all you have to do is grab the small section of skin that stayed on the rear legs during the procedure... grab it and peel it off.   I hope I'm explaining it so you get a picture of it.  Works fantastic.  Takes me about 30 seconds to skin a squirrel.  I first saw the method on YouTube years ago and have used it ever since. 

Jeff

[Xraycer]

I use the method where you lift the tail, make a cut at the base of the tail cutting through the skin and severing the tail bone at the same time, then you lay the squirrel on it's back, place your boot firmly on the squirrels tail while you grab both rear legs firmly.  Now you pull up forcefully on both legs and pull the squirrel up forcefully.  The skin will peel off all the way up to the head and front legs.  A quick pull frees the skin from the front legs and you now cut off the head.  Now all you have to do is grab the small section of skin that stayed on the rear legs during the procedure... grab it and peel it off.   I hope I'm explaining it so you get a picture of it.  Works fantastic.  Takes me about 30 seconds to skin a squirrel.  I first saw the method on YouTube years ago and have used it ever since. 

Jeff

I've tried this method a couple of times, and ended up with the tail completely ripped off

[longislandhunter]

That can and does happen if you don't make the cut just right, it took me some practice before I got it down.  The key is to make the cut about   1 1/2 inches long, a little longer is ok too,  and make sure the meat is pulled away from the skin on the cut area (I use my knife point to make sure the meat is pulled away). 

If you make the cut to short or the meat is still attached to the skin of the cut then the tail will just rip off when you pull. 

Sounds like you already have a method that works well for you though.   

Jeff

[Bicycleman]

Something I failed to mention in my original post:  The sharper your knife is, the better the whole operation will go.  Someone who is very proficient at skinning squirrels could probably be successful with a stick, but WHY?  I use a knife that has a nice point for the reason Jeff pointed out.  And the blade is razor sharp since squirrel skin is on the tough side.  I check the edge before each hunt and dress it if necessary.
Do yourself a favor and the squirrels will thank you - or maybe not.  Hee hee

[squirrel_hunter]

  yes sharp knife helps speed up the skinning.i have the outdoor edge razor-lite.it has replaceable blades and they are really sharp and easy to replace.

[Bicycleman]

Mark, my brother has one that his son gave him as a little Christmas gift.  He has not had enough practice with it yet - I am trying to remedy that.  The knife I use was given to me by a good friend.  It was a kit that he decorated with a nice handle pair.  It is amazingly sharp and easily kept that way.  I have thanked him several times for being so thoughtful.
EDIT:  Picture of knife.

[anti-squirrel]

I've used the "cut a belt-line, then pull the pants off" method a few times.  The back/side meat and rear legs are all I've used.  Haven't messed with the front half much.  This upcoming Summer, I'll experiment with the "cut at the base of the tail" method.

I just read the wiki on them... I had no idea they can live up to 15 and even 18 years!

[longislandhunter]

I had no idea they could live that long.  I just always figured they lived perhaps 7 or 8 years.  Did the info you read say how you go about gauging their age ? 

Jeff

[Bicycleman]

Interesting reading  --->  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_squirrel

[wimpanzee]

I'm trying my shop compressor into the leg next time I skin one.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

I use the lift the tail method too. My Dad showed my how is done, long, long, ago. I use Stanley razor knife blades in a deer gutting knife, that I bought long ago.  It takes me about 40 to 45 seconds once I'm warmed-up and have done a few.  I used to use an Alaskan Ulu knife to skin deer, that's goes real fast too.   

[Xraycer]

Did the info you read say how you go about gauging their age ? 

Skin them then cut them in half and count the rings 

I picked up this cheapo knife on clearance for $7 at Wallyworld, and it works great on squirrel....particularly that gut hook..........Opens up that underside as easy as pulling on a zipper. The beefy 4" blade effortlessly chops off squirrel limbs and head with a single blow

[Pellgunfun]

Check out this video.  Yes it is a rather old video, but if you are taking any longer than this guy to skin a squirrel you are doing it wrong, and wasting your dang time. 



You'll need to sign into Youtube of course cause of the age restriction thingy. 

[Xraycer]

Check out this video.  Yes it is a rather old video, but if you are taking any longer than this guy to skin a squirrel you are doing it wrong, and wasting your dang time. 

Yeah, if you just want to skin a squirrel, it shouldn't take much longer than about a minute, but the OP was actually referring to skinning and gutting, which obviously would require more time

[Bicycleman]

In my original post:  “How fast are you?  Time yourself next time and post the time.”
I have not seen anyone answer this question yet!  Don’t be shy - give it a try.

[Xraycer]

In my original post:  “How fast are you?  Time yourself next time and post the time.”
I have not seen anyone answer this question yet!  Don’t be shy - give it a try.

If we're just talking removing the skin (and head and tail), I'm sure I can beat 30sec. However, this will have to wait until Sept as squirrel is out of season until then.