When skinning small mammals Such as Squirrels or rabbits, is it necessary to skin all the way to the toe joints, or can you stop at the foot joints and inject the feet with preservitive? I have been doing birds and am slowly learning small mammals. I really enjoy birds for the ease of work. Any help would be appreciated.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
sean skin to the toe bones because the forms have the feet.
On small mammals such as squirrels it is not necessary to skin to the toenail - leave the digit bones (toes) in and cut them off the carcass at the wrist joint or just below it. When fitting the hide on the form you will find that you will likely have to cut off a part of the foot - maybe 1/4 in on the front feet and about 1/8 in below the hock on the back feet. Use clay in your feet to get a good transition from skin to form and inject the toes with preservative of some sort.