To clean a squirrel, follow these general steps for an easy and hair-free process:
- Use a sharp knife to make a cut at the base of the tail, cutting through the vertebrae but not through the skin on the other side.
- Pin the tail under your foot or between a solid object, then grab the squirrel's hind legs and pull upward in one smooth motion. This will start peeling the hide off like a shirt.
- Continue pulling the hide off the body up to the front legs and head. The hide comes off easier if the squirrel is still warm.
- After the hide is removed as much as possible, you will have the carcass with just the rear legs still covered ("pants").
- Pull the hide down the legs to fully remove it. This step also exposes the head if kept.
- Hang the squirrel or place it in a skinning device, then gut the carcass by making a cut along the belly and removing the entrails.
- Clip the legs if needed with pruning shears and prepare the meat as desired.
This method minimizes hair on the meat and quickly cleans the squirrel for cooking. Wearing rubber gloves is recommended to stay clean and sanitary during the process.
