Last squirrel of the season

[dhaverstick]

Missouri's squirrel season closed yesterday at dark so I grabbed Ole Betsy in the afternoon and took one last walk behind the house. There were plenty of targets, but getting smokepole close was still a challenge due to the lack of cover. Fortunately, we got some rain a couple of days ago so sneaking around in the leaves wasn't as noisy as it usually is. I spotted this little feller meandering towards me so I just waited until he gave me a shot. He died as he lived, with an acorn in his mouth.

I bought this knife two weeks ago from a vendor at the United Bowhunters of Missouri Festival specifically for skinning squirrels. I am a sucker for amboyna burl wood and this knife must have known that because it practically jumped into my pocket as I passed by the table it was resting on. It made short work of this squirrel so I think we're gonna get along just fine.

It was a nice day so I enjoyed my Beer of Victory outside before I cleaned Ole Betsy and put her away for a while. We had a good run this season and put a lot of bushytails in the freezer. The 2026 season opens May 23rd and you can bet we'll be after them again when it does.

Darren

 

[rharbaugh]

Missouri's squirrel season closed yesterday at dark so I grabbed Ole Betsy in the afternoon and took one last walk behind the house. There were plenty of targets, but getting smokepole close was still a challenge due to the lack of cover. Fortunately, we got some rain a couple of days ago so sneaking around in the leaves wasn't as noisy as it usually is. I spotted this little feller meandering towards me so I just waited until he gave me a shot. He died as he lived, with an acorn in his mouth.

I bought this knife two weeks ago from a vendor at the United Bowhunters of Missouri Festival specifically for skinning squirrels. I am a sucker for amboyna burl wood and this knife must have known that because it practically jumped into my pocket as I passed by the table it was resting on. It made short work of this squirrel so I think we're gonna get along just fine.

It was a nice day so I enjoyed my Beer of Victory outside before I cleaned Ole Betsy and put her away for a while. We had a good run this season and put a lot of bushytails in the freezer. The 2026 season opens May 23rd and you can bet we'll be after them again when it does.

Darren

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Nice story and great pictures!

 

[Chris in TN]

Nice!

 

[Bulletman]

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

I'm not Darren but here is a hint,,,,,,,,, to get any hair off the meat after skinning it use baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda and then rub it onto the flesh and it will break the bond between the hair and the moist flesh and you can then brush the hair off much easier.

 

[rharbaugh]

I'm not Darren but here is a hint,,,,,,,,, to get any hair off the meat after skinning it use baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda and then rub it onto the flesh and it will break the bond between the hair and the moist flesh and you can then brush the hair off much easier.

solid tip. i'll give it a try!

 

[dhaverstick]

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

I'm a "pants and shirt" kinda guy. I've tried other methods, but that one works best for me. A thing that helps me keep my squirrels clean is a holder like the Ridge Runner Small Game Skinner.

Darren

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

It always seems like I do best when I go ahead and skin and clean them in the field. Cut them around the middle, stand on its head with one foot, peel the “pants” down to the tip of each foot and base of tail. Then flip the squirrel around, stand on tail and feet, peel the shirt to the feet and base of the head. Cut off feet, tail, and head. Toss them to my trusty dog. Slit open the belly and field dress. Toss that to my dog. Stick squirrel into zip lock bag. Soak in salt water for an hour or two after I get home. Pour off top water slowly, then toss the squirrel into a clean ziplock and freeze it.

 

[Captains1911]

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

I’ve found that if you get them soaking wet first, it really helps prevent getting hair everywhere. First I cut off the head, tail, and feet. Then get them soaking wet and make one good cut with shears through the skin on the middle of the back, perpendicular to the spine. Next, get one or two fingers on each hand under each side of the cut, and pull the hide apart in two pieces, from the middle. I also like to be near running water so that every time I have to readjust while trying to get my fingers under the hide, I rinse my hands first. I have it down to where I get very little to no hair on the meat, and the water is the key.

 

[LookinforDirt]

TN ends March 15th. Trying to get a CZ 452 17 hm2 setup before it ends so I can get a couple days in hunting with it.

Good looking knife!

 

[Captains1911]

TN ends March 15th. Trying to get a CZ 452 17 hm2 setup before it ends so I can get a couple days in hunting with it.

Good looking knife!

Here in VA ours ends Feb 28, then we have spring season for a few weeks in June. I just rebuilt an old 10/22 into a squirrel destroyer with KIDD parts, and it is riduculoausly accurate. I’ve already taken 3 bushy tails and hope to get a few more before the season ends.

 

[Ope]

I’ve found that if you get them soaking wet first, it really helps prevent getting hair everywhere. First I cut off the head, tail, and feet. Then get them soaking wet and make one good cut with shears through the skin on the middle of the back, perpendicular to the spine. Next, get one or two fingers on each hand under each side of the cut, and pull the hide apart in two pieces, from the middle. I also like to be near running water so that every time I have to readjust while trying to get my fingers under the hide, I rinse my hands first. I have it down to where I get very little to no hair on the meat, and the water is the key.

This is how I prefer to do it also, works great for me.