Mounting a squirrel ,need help

Submitted by Nate on 01/26/2004. ( nwilling@bestlights.com ) 64.1.82.40

I just skinned out a squirrel and salted it. bought a video that says to use a dry preservitive. Can i rinse the salt off & use the D.P. now ? in this video he called the D.P. Borax. can you use one or the other or do you need the D.P. ? i noticed in a catalog i have that you can get a Fluffy Borax , What is this used for ?

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No salt

This response submitted by Dean Gregg ( Coal Hollow Taxidermy) on 01/26/2004. ( gregg8664@msn.com ) 65.128.92.5

When using Dp there is no need to salt just take your measurements at time of skinning skin it roll it up and put it in the freezer. Now is the time to order your supplies form, DP, eyes ect... Once you have every thing at hand thaw fleash rub DP on it and mount That simple. Good luck Dean


It's easier to get another squirrel.

This response submitted by duckfeathers on 01/26/2004. ( ) 68.236.27.50

When useing DP you must absolutly clean all flesh,fat, etc from the skin or it will not last long. If you did this before salting the skin then you can soak it in warm water with a little pine sol, lysol, or dawn dish liquid until it relaxes. Then rinse with warm water. Towel dry and apply DP and mount. After mounted, blow dry hair and groom. The tail will be almost impossible to get fluffed and nice looking. You can replace just the tail if you want later.
If you did not remove every spec of flesh I'd say get another squirrel and then do the DP process. Or do the tanning method.
Trust me some DP powders are no good. But some do work very well(chase or Touchstone). Borax is good for moth proofing but has it's limitations. DP may contain borax but they are not the same. You need to use DP on small mammals.
Fluffy or puffed borax is a finer mesh powder. There are no crystaline chunks which don't rub in or dissolve. Some feel it works better and doesn't show on a darker mount.
The best way to get a great squirrel tail is to never freeze it.
Cut the tail off and debone it as soon as possible. Have your wrapped wire tail ready. Apply a small amount of DP and insert. If the tail wrap is correct you can groom out a fluffy tail easily. Try it.
Let this tail dry. Later when mounting the squirrel you can attach the tail.


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