Taxiderm, Squirrel

[Guest bigbovine]

After taking squirrel the other day, one of the boys asked about having feet done like rabbits feet. So having never had experience with such, I cut off the feet, tail, and hide and put them in a ziploc in the freezer till I could find out. Who in the area can tan cure, or whatever you might call it. I assume a taxidermist is the way to go. I would like to have the feet done like they make rabbits feet on a chain, and maybe "fix" the tail were we can keep it without rotting.

[Guest GunTroll]

Only in TN . WD??? he can answer for you I'm sure. I want a full squirrel mount for my wall. Saw one when I was a kid and I liked it.

[Guest bigbovine]

Until this one I never thought of it. It was a big Fox squirrel. Real pretty, would have made a great specimen for a mount, I just never think of it that way. My wifes grandfather had one of a Fox squirrel, and it was a little bigger than the one I got. Maybe I will try and skin em right next time if it is a worthy specimen, otherwise I just like to make quick work of it for the meat.

[Guest GunTroll]

I wonder what method of killing it would be best to salvage the hide with minimal damage. Can Fox squirrel's have a B&C score?

[DaveS]

Shoot them with a shotgun. .22's are ok if not a head shot. .17 HMR is OUT OF THE QUESTION for a squirrell mount. To preserve the feet, cut them off at the desired length and sprinkle 20 mule team borax on the raw flesh. Position them in the final position you want them in and allow them to dry. Tandy Leather Company used to sell "rabbit foot" foot fittings, but they most likely wouldn't work on a squirrel foot. If your handy with shop tools, a centerfire rifle cartridge, trimmed to length, polished and added to a key chain works well. Squirrel tails are done the same as the feet for preservation. I hope this helps you out!

[ShaunM]

I've never thought of a tree rat foot ha ha.

[DaveS]

When I ran my taxidermy shop, you would not believe the stuff people could come up with!

[Guest bigbovine]

I didn't think about the attachment at the foot, great idea. I'm thinking maybe .380 brass probably just right. As far as the "20 mule team borax", where do I get it. I live up in your area. I don't care to buy online unless it is absolutely necessary. As far as the current state of the feet and tail, they are frozen, I take it that was ok to do and I just need to thaw first. What to do with the skin, I may just toss it. I saved what I could because the boys wanted it. I do head shots(.22LR) to save for meat and I do not have a shotgun. Where would you recomend I place the shot if I think I might want to mount the thing? Thanks.

[Guest bigbovine]

Hey Gun Troll. Not to Highjack my own thread, but how long you been in Springfield. Another question, whatever happened to the little gun store down from the courthouse? I was at the parade the other day and it looked like it was shut down.

[DaveS]

20 mule team borax can be found in walmart and krogers laundry detergent isle. A chest shot on a squirrel would be ok. Head shots can be very hard to fix.

[Guest TnRebel]

a lung and hart works for these tree rats

[Guest bigbovine]

Talking to my mother today and the subject of the squirrel came up. Interesting story she told me about why they call it "20 mule team borax".

[buck1032]

Talking to my mother today and the subject of the squirrel came up. Interesting story she told me about why they call it "20 mule team borax".

Well,,,, lets hear it.

[DaveS]

I have a funny feeling that it has something to do with a hitch team of 20 mules pulling cargo wagons of borax out of death valley or the salt flats.

[Guest bigbovine]

Yup, and a commercial back in her days about it. It played during a show that ole Pres Ronald hosted. I'll try to get out to the store this weekend for that borax.

[Guest dthurston]

The show was " Death Valley Days".. Yep great westerns back then.

[roverboy]

WD, you was saying some wierd things people would want mounted. I saw something in a taxidermy shop once that blowed my mind(whats left of it). It was a Game rooster. Mounted with comb cut off like a fighting rooster. I wondered if somebody's prize rooster got killed in a fight or what the _ _ _ _ happened. Wierd.

[DaveS]

Dogs, cats, parrots, moles, hedgehogs, chicken feet with the middle toe stuck up. Last but not least, snakes, x's, current spouses, and the list just goes on and on! LOL

[roverboy]

WD, thats messed up man. Some people would mount anything. The pets is what freaks me out.

[DaveS]

I have never done pets, never will do pets. I talked to Dale Earnharts taxidemist one time, and he said that doing someones pet is a Taxidermist worst nightmare!

[Guest Jamie]

WD, thats messed up man. Some people would mount anything. The pets is what freaks me out.

Roy Rogers had an entire horse done. Remember Trigger?

[DaveS]

If any of ya'll want a squirrel mounted, DO NOT gut it out. Roll it up in newspaper then a plastic bag and freeze it until you can take it to your taxidermist.

[roverboy]

Jamie, I remember seeing a interview with Roy years ago and he said that people would come into the museum and kinda freak out seeing Trigger. He said that he had him so long that he couldn't see putting him in the ground. He thought he would have him mounted so that he could see him and fans could. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.