Skin A Squirrel

    Items needed:

  • Sharp knife
  • Water
  • Bowl
  • Rubber Gloves (Optional)
  • Person to Help (Optional)

    Process to Skin or Clean a Squirrel

  1. Soak the squirrel in water to get hair wet.
    2. This is done to keep the dry hairs from sticking and clinging to meat during the cleaning process.
  2. Turn the squirrel upside down with the legs facing away from you. Have your helper hold the back legs and then remove some of the fur at the base of the tail.
  3. After a spot has been cleared, cut through the tail until you get to the flesh on the top of the tail. Do not cut the tail completely off.
  4. Start seperating the skin from the meat up the lower back with your knife.
  5. Make a cut on each side up the sides of the back approximately 1 inch.
  6. Now step on the tail with your foot and using the back legs, pull up until the skin pulled over the head.
  7. If all is working properly, you can now pull on the skin left on the back legs and pull up to remove the skin from the legs.
  8. Using your knife, break and cut off the legs at the ankle joints and cut off the head.
  9. Make a cut down the front of the body and open up the squirrel to expose the internal organs.
  10. Using two fingers, start at the top of the chest and rake down to remove all of the insides.
  11. Using fresh water, rinse out the body cavity and clean up the squirrel.
  12. You are now ready to quarter the squirrel by cutting of the legs and seperating the body at the bottom of the rib cage.
  13. Using your favorite recipe, cook up your squirrel and enjoy!

For those that would prefer a visual example, check out this video:

Or check out this drawn example by the Missouri Department of Conservation: