I am just beginning my first squirrel today. I am thawing the specimin now. I do not have the mannikin, or anything for mounting at this time. Is it okay to skin the animal, dry preserve it, freeze it, then thaw it again when the mannikin comes in the mail? I hate to buy a mannikin when I will probably screw up the skinning. Any suggestion would be great.
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Skin squirrel from back incision,I would recomend then when you get your form everything would fit like a glove
Sandy, You could do as you describe but if I were doing it I would skin and freeze. When I had the form and the time to mount I would thaw and THEN dp and mount. Squirrels like to drop their hair if given much of a chance. To reduce the risk of hair slippage while you are learning and not real fast, work with the squirrel's body very cold. Also do not hold on to any part of the skin too long at a time as the heat in your fingers can warm the skin too much and encourage hair loss.Good luck with your 1st and enjoy, Aaron H.
I agree skin,freeze,and then dp