Taxidermy Squirrel Where Do I Start!?

Ameera rishme · Nov 21, 2022

Yesterday on my way from the reptile store I found a fox squirrel or so I think it's in really good condition and is now in my freezer any tips and how should I go about it I don't have any tanning solution at the moment I usually use isopropy alcohol and borax bit do I use borax and denatured of should I get this tanning solution
I'm getting a form off ebay also would a grey squirrel form work here he is

Tanglewood Taxidermy · Nov 21, 2022

Get a squirrel kit from Ellzey's supply co.. It has everything you need and get a video from them at the same time. That is where you start. That tanning solution in your pic is garbage. The kit and the video will get you where you want to be.

Ameera rishme · Nov 21, 2022

Tanglewood Taxidermy said: ↑

Get a squirrel kit from Ellzey's supply co.. It has everything you need and get a video from them at the same time. That is where you start. That tanning solution in your pic is garbage. The kit and the video will get you where you want to be.
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I would like too but I just spent 28 on a form :// so I can't get the kit is there anything else I can do .?

Ameera rishme · Nov 21, 2022

Ameera rishme said: ↑

I would like too but I just spent 28 on a form :// so I can't get the kit is there anything else I can do .?
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I got it from MacKenzie supplier its in a sitting down pose I alsogot denatured alcohol and somone accidentally threw it away can I use isopropy alcohol?

Tanglewood Taxidermy · Nov 21, 2022

I have never used alcohol. Just dp or tanned them. Both work equally well, so for me just DP alone works fine. Get the squirrel DVD from Research Mannikins. It is by John David Ellzey. Don't start without it.

How this should work, is to get the instruction video first. Then save up for the form and supplies after. Not the other way around. If don't get the video first, you will be putting the cart before the horse.

Sea Wolf · Nov 21, 2022

You have no idea how long the squirrel was there before you found it. Decomposition from inside was probably already in progress. Before doing anything, order a bottle of Stop Rot and use it. Will go a long way in preventing the hair from falling out as you work on it. It will be fine with borax as long as the belly isn't green on it.

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Sea Wolf said: ↑

You have no idea how long the squirrel was there before you found it. Decomposition from inside was probably already in progress. Before doing anything, order a bottle of Stop Rot and use it. Will go a long way in preventing the hair from falling out as you work on it. It will be fine with borax as long as the belly isn't green on it.
Click to expand...

It was fresh as when I found it it had a couple signs of life around 2 hours later it became cold and stiff and it was outside where it was cold

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Sea Wolf said: ↑

You have no idea how long the squirrel was there before you found it. Decomposition from inside was probably already in progress. Before doing anything, order a bottle of Stop Rot and use it. Will go a long way in preventing the hair from falling out as you work on it. It will be fine with borax as long as the belly isn't green on it.
Click to expand...

Also what do you mean the belly is green does it depend on how well you flesh it or

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Tanglewood Taxidermy said: ↑

I have never used alcohol. Just dp or tanned them. Both work equally well, so for me just DP alone works fine. Get the squirrel DVD from Research Mannikins. It is by John David Ellzey. Don't start without it.

How this should work, is to get the instruction video first. Then save up for the form and supplies after. Not the other way around. If don't get the video first, you will be putting the cart before the horse.
Click to expand...

Yeah that makes sense on top of it I got charged for shipping so now 39 dollars gone although I have found a few. Good video and non video tutorials for skinning and mounting so I'll try to send u the link I only have a couple days cuz my family is allready about to kill me for having. Squirrel in the freezer

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Here's a couple I know it's not the best but as things stand it's better than nothing I also found a bunch of reference images for preserving the skin I'll thaw it out in rubbing alcohol unless it's bad idk how it would work on squirrels then skin and flesh I and was it with a degreeseing soap add salt and dry it out for a couple hours and then Borax and mount

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Ameera rishme said: ↑

It was fresh as when I found it it had a couple signs of life around 2 hours later it became cold and stiff and it was outside where it was cold
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Then placed in a freezer

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Tanglewood Taxidermy said: ↑

Get a squirrel kit from Ellzey's supply co.. It has everything you need and get a video from them at the same time. That is where you start. That tanning solution in your pic is garbage. The kit and the video will get you where you want to be.
Click to expand...

Sadly I'm unable to get a tanning solution but for future projects is this one good

Jean M · Nov 22, 2022

There are great FREE YouTube videos from Ellzey's. I'm guessing they are similar to the video they sell. Search Ellzey's Taxidermy on YouTube.
There is one with John skinning and fleshing- no fancy tools required.

The other I watched from them was Miranda (Ellzey?) actually mounting the squirrel using what comes in their mounting kit. But you already have the form, so I'm sure you can easily find the other supplies.

The videos seem to be geared toward beginners, again no fancy equipment or supplies.
I think they are just using Borax as a preservative.
I do not have the experience to offer any better advice on the tanning or use of alcohol.

Ameera rishme · Nov 22, 2022

Jean M said: ↑

There are great FREE YouTube videos from Ellzey's. I'm guessing they are similar to the video they sell. Search Ellzey's Taxidermy on YouTube.
There is one with John skinning and fleshing- no fancy tools required.

The other I watched from them was Miranda (Ellzey?) actually mounting the squirrel using what comes in their mounting kit. But you already have the form, so I'm sure you can easily find the other supplies.

The videos seem to be geared toward beginners, again no fancy equipment or supplies.
I think they are just using Borax as a preservative.
I do not have the experience to offer any better advice on the tanning or use of alcohol.
Click to expand...

Thank you I'll be getting to form tomorrow wish me luck!! I'll just have to flesh it Hella well and hope for the best

Sea Wolf · Nov 24, 2022

Ameera rishme said: ↑

Also what do you mean the belly is green does it depend on how well you flesh it or
Click to expand...

When you skin the animal and the abdomen is green colored it is already in an advanced state of decomposition. If the hide in that area is also discolored, the hair will slip. Buy a container of Stop Rot and use it.

Ameera rishme · Nov 24, 2022

Sea Wolf said: ↑

When you skin the animal and the abdomen is green colored it is already in an advanced state of decomposition. If the hide in that area is also discolored, the hair will slip. Buy a container of Stop Rot and use it.
Click to expand...

Ohh okay

Ameera rishme · Nov 24, 2022

Sea Wolf said: ↑

When you skin the animal and the abdomen is green colored it is already in an advanced state of decomposition. If the hide in that area is also discolored, the hair will slip. Buy a container of Stop Rot and use it.
Click to expand...

I skinned it no green at all and skinned well expet u made a small mistake w on one of the eyes then scrubed with decreasing soap and borax

Ameera rishme · Nov 26, 2022

Here's it drying up

RoadsideResurrection · Dec 14, 2022

I've picked up many roadkill squirrels and never had any problems with them. They are usually a few hours old and never have green on them. But that is something you should look out for when picking up roadkill.
Also I think your mount looks cool!

Ameera rishme · Dec 15, 2022

RoadsideResurrection said: ↑

I've picked up many roadkill squirrels and never had any problems with them. They are usually a few hours old and never have green on them. But that is something you should look out for when picking up roadkill.
Also I think your mount looks cool!
Click to expand...

Thank youuu

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Taxidermy Squirrel Where Do I Start!?

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