How do you cure squirrel fur?

Curing squirrel fur involves several steps to preserve and prepare it for use in taxidermy or crafting projects. Here's a general guide on how to cure squirrel fur:

1. Skinning and Fleshing:

- Humanely trap or hunt the squirrel.

- Skin the squirrel carefully to remove the fur and avoid damaging it.

- Remove any excess fat and flesh from the skin using a sharp knife or fleshing tool.

2. Salting:

- Liberally apply salt to the flesh side of the skin. The salt will help draw out moisture and prevent spoilage.

- Fold the skin in half with the fur facing inward and the salted sides touching each other.

- Place the salted skin in a cool and dry place for several days to allow the salt to penetrate the skin and draw out moisture.

3. Stretching:

- After salting, remove the skin from the salt and stretch it to its original size.

- Use a wooden frame or stretcher to stretch the skin evenly.

- Secure the skin to the frame using tacks, nails, or clamps.

4. Drying:

- Allow the stretched skin to dry thoroughly in a cool and dry location, away from direct sunlight.

- Depending on the weather conditions, it can take several days or weeks for the skin to dry completely.

- Make sure the skin is completely dry to prevent spoilage.

5. Tanning:

- Once the skin is dry, you can tan it to make it soft, flexible, and durable.

- There are different methods of tanning squirrel fur, including chemical tanning and brain tanning. Chemical tanning involves the use of tanning agents, while brain tanning uses the fats and oils from the squirrel's brain.

6. Finishing and Grooming:

- After tanning, the fur can be brushed, combed, and trimmed as desired to improve its appearance.

- You may also apply preservatives or conditioning agents to protect the fur and prevent it from becoming brittle.

It's important to note that curing squirrel fur requires attention to detail and patience to achieve the best results. If you're unsure about any of the steps, consider consulting with an experienced taxidermist or seeking guidance from relevant sources.