Another Short Squirrel Hunt

[Ricochet]

Got out there a little late this morning but still managed a 2 for 3 day. First shot was 40 yards on a log, just under the chin. Second shot was around 25 yards offhand. Gettin better at that. Third shot was about the same with a tree for a rest but I got excited and tried to peek around the smoke. Got em back to the buggy and skint em in the woods. Put them in a ziploc and into a cooler till I got home. Thought yall might get a kick out of my skinnin rack for my hitch. Thanks for lookin!!

 

[pab1]

Congrats @Ricochet! Nice shooting! I did chuckle when I saw the squirrel on the skinning rack.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Pretty cool!

 

[Brokennock]

Great job!
I love that "skinning rack" idea, details please.

 

[Ricochet]

You bet. Nothing to it really. I took the ball off of an old hitch I wasn't using and welded some channel, square tubing would be better, but it is plenty strong. I used 1" round bar I think and welded a 3" piece onto the toggle clamp where the rubber foot usually is. I then welded a matching piece of bar to the channel. You will have to have a spacer under the clamp, where you would normally bolt it to a bench. I had a piece of 1" plate to match the 1" bar. Weld the spacer onto the channel, then weld the clamp onto the spacer and you are done. I welded it together to fit my truck with the tailgate down to use as a table so you will have to measure your pieces accordingly.
Just slide your rack in the hitch of your truck or buggy, no need to pin it. Make the incision at the squirrels tail like you usually would to skin it and then clamp the tail bone behind the two pieces of round bar. Pull the back legs and skin the squirrel down to the head. then pull his britches off. cut his back feet off and then his front feet and head. The clamp keeps the tail and hide off of the meat. The clamp won't slip. It works pretty darned slick.
Im sure you could make it all up with nuts and bolts if you don't have a welder.
I can get better pictures for you if you would like after this rain stops. Just let me know

 

[deermanok]

Good morning for sure.

 

[Brokennock]

You bet. Nothing to it really. I took the ball off of an old hitch I wasn't using and welded some channel, square tubing would be better, but it is plenty strong. I used 1" round bar I think and welded a 3" piece onto the toggle clamp where the rubber foot usually is. I then welded a matching piece of bar to the channel. You will have to have a spacer under the clamp, where you would normally bolt it to a bench. I had a piece of 1" plate to match the 1" bar. Weld the spacer onto the channel, then weld the clamp onto the spacer and you are done. I welded it together to fit my truck with the tailgate down to use as a table so you will have to measure your pieces accordingly.
Just slide your rack in the hitch of your truck or buggy, no need to pin it. Make the incision at the squirrels tail like you usually would to skin it and then clamp the tail bone behind the two pieces of round bar. Pull the back legs and skin the squirrel down to the head. then pull his britches off. cut his back feet off and then his front feet and head. The clamp keeps the tail and hide off of the meat. The clamp won't slip. It works pretty darned slick.
Im sure you could make it all up with nuts and bolts if you don't have a welder.
I can get better pictures for you if you would like after this rain stops. Just let me know

Thank you.
We all like more pictures, lol.
That really is a great idea.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Got out there a little late this morning but still managed a 2 for 3 day. First shot was 40 yards on a log, just under the chin. Second shot was around 25 yards offhand. Gettin better at that. Third shot was about the same with a tree for a rest but I got excited and tried to peek around the smoke. Got em back to the buggy and skint em in the woods. Put them in a ziploc and into a cooler till I got home. Thought yall might get a kick out of my skinnin rack for my hitch. Thanks for lookin!!

Now that is innovative. Cool idea. Looks like you had a great time.

 

[hanshi]

I like that device. It's something I never thought about back when I hunted.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Hey, that's cheating! Your supposed to struggle cuss, fall over and suffer pain skinnin squirrel!
Good.shooting buddy..

 

[Jim K]

I like your system. I use these in my shop hanging from an electric hoist but in the woods, I step on the tail flap and pull. You’ve got me thinking about my receiver now. Thanks for sharing and good shooting!

 

[MittenJim]

Gotta love custom squirrel butcherin' tools!

 

[bushytail]

Nice shooting.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Love it. Congrats on the hunt and the skinner thingy. I used to enjoy hunting squirrel with my Brown Bess. But, I have never, and I do mean NEVER successfully skinned a squirrel. So, not wanting to waste, I just gave up hunting tree rats.

 

[Ricochet]

I like your system. I use these in my shop hanging from an electric hoist but in the woods, I step on the tail flap and pull. You’ve got me thinking about my receiver now. Thanks for sharing and good shooting!View attachment 173174

I was a member of a deer camp in the paper company lands of western Arkansas and the guys used a similar tool to skin all of the deer with a vehicle. The only difference was a threaded eyebolt replaced the bolt and the pads that were welded on to the tool were flat with little welded beads on the face of each. Worked like a charm and never slipped. Took the hide off of deer in seconds. I bet yours works great!!

 

[Ricochet]

Hey, that's cheating! Your supposed to struggle cuss, fall over and suffer pain skinnin squirrel!
Good.shooting buddy..

Ha!! I do most of my cussing and falling down while Im actually chasing them so I had to try and find some relief and sanity during the hard part!!
Thanks Brit!

 

[LANEY REECE]

GREAT job Bud. and like others cool skinnin system.

 

[Old Timer 48]

Nice job!