Submitted by T. Walker on 12/22/1998. ( prepper@aol.com )
My son and I are beginning taxidermists and we plan to get several squirrels in the late season here to practice on. My question is what is the best/easiest way to save them for later mounting: freeze whole, skin and freeze, skin & salt, or what? Also, how can we mount these with dry preserve? Or should we go with a cream tan? Thanks for any help!
This response submitted by Cary on 12/22/1998. ( )
If you have the time go ahead and skin them and put in the freezer for future mounting. You can put the whole squib in the freezer but then you will have to thaw before skinning. Dry preserve is my choice for small mammals, after skinning and washing, towel dry your hide and rub the preservative onto the skin and mount. Cary
This response submitted by Bill on 12/22/1998. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
I would suggest, knowing that you said you guys are beginners, that you freeze them whole so that when you DO have time to work with them you'll have the body to take measurements while you have the time. I personally wouldnt use dry pres. as it obviously wont hold up as well as a tanned piece. Tanning them the right way is easy and good practice. I guess if you like d.p. and dont mind it, that would save some time and steps, though. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. Good luck and have fun with your son!