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How to Dry Out Squirrel Skin

Drying squirrel skin is the first step to long-term preservation whether you choose to mount the pelt or if the goal is to dry tan to make it like leather and flexible. The purpose of the drying process is to make sure all of the guts, membranes and inside organs of the squirrel have been removed, thereby preventing bacterial growth.

Things You'll Need

Squirrel hide
Wood work surface
Staple gun
Staples
Non-iodized salt

Instructions

- 1
  Lay squirrel skin hair side down on a wood surface. With staple gun, staple the pelt close to the edges onto the wood work surface.
- 2
  Liberally apply non-iodized salt onto the exposed skin with your fingers. Leave no skin unsalted as it will be unprotected.
- 3
  Reapply non-iodized salt as the skin becomes moist. Allow the non-iodized salt to stay on the skin curing it for 10 to 14 days, during which time all moisture will have dried.
- 4
  Remove the salt from the hide with your fingers.

Animals & Science