did a little killing this morning squirels that is, HELP

[yellowjacket]

cut the tails off of them to use for my jigs, how would you guys go about curing them,so they dont stink and all that stuff?

[short grub]

cut the bone out then scrape out the meat and fat then pin to a piece of wood and salt for about a week or so changing the salt every 12 to 14 hrs use plenty of salt about a half an inch on the inside where you cleaned the meat and fat from, keep them in a dry warm area also

[Fatman]

Pretty much the same except after getting the bone out I'd wash it and put hair conditioner on it, rinse well then shake th heck out of it. Take an old brush and brush it real good which straightens the hair out, I personally would use borax to do the curing but again that's me!! While you're at it do the same thing to the skin!!! you can make some nice flies and jigs with squirrel.

[Micropterus salmoides]

If you live in a wooded area like I, put that pinned tail on your roof!
Squirrels in season?

[skiptomylu]

Got to admit I don't even take the bone out of a squirrel, but do deer and other animals. I just cut it so there is not much meat and if any I need to I scrape it off, salt and Borax it and let it dry in the garage. Have never had any trouble doing this and have some that are several years old.

[yellowjacket]

Micropterus salmoides they always in season in my back yard, they eat our tomaters and stuff. so i let them eat lead pellets!

[skiptomylu]

I have the same problem in my back yard. They eat into my attic and my wife's plants and anything else they can destroy including my plastic boards on my boat trailer. I shot 32 one year and they just keep coming.

[sharpshooter223]

Most store bought squirrel tails still have the bone in and they aren't rotting or anything, its really in how you dry it. What I would do with tails of anything is wash them in soapy water, wring them out/dry the water off with paper towels or something, and then stick the stump end in borax until it is all dry, probably sprinkle some borax on the fur too. The danger of using salt is that is can more easily attract moisture back into the flesh later on if conditions are right.

[dblevens]

I just whack the tail off, sprinkle some salt on it or borax, and call it good. Coloring them, now thats the hard part.

[RetiredRR]

I put mine in a zip lock bag with salt. Get the air out and let it sit for a week. Never had any smell or problems with moisture causing ill effects.