Ok, there's another topic on here about squirrel skins. I've asked the question in the past if fox squirrels are the skins they want, and I was told they only want pine squirrels.

But in the other thread, I was informed that they'll buy fox squirrels. I went to the NAFA site, and all it says is "squirrels". Doesn't say what kind.

So, can someone please give me a definitive answer on whether the squirrels listed on NAFA are only pine squirrels, or will they auction fox squirrels?

I know they take red squirrels. Not sure about others.

Mud Turtle, there seems to be a communication mixup. I don't know a thing about pine squirrels. We always called fox squirrels "red squirrels" or "fox squirrels". But the pine squirrel is also called a red squirrel, and is different from a fox squirrel. It lives up north in the pine forests. I've been told that these are the squirrels they want, but on the other thread about squirrels, I was told they'll take fox squirrels.

Buck, 'red' squirrels are much smaller than fox squirrels, or even eastern gray squirrels. they are a northern species of squirrel. there are lots of them in the northern US, as i've been to visit relatives up there who have property and seen them. the ones i remember have a marking that looks like they are wearing white eyeliner.... i''ll find a link... here:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/mammals/redsqrl.htm

http://www.northern.edu/natsource/MAMMALS/Redsqu1.htm

here's another link with better pics for ya Buck

http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=400

That's what I thought they wanted for the fur market. The other squirrel thread is talking about selling squirrel skins for $1.80. As I thought, this is for a pine squirrel. Someone said the grays and fox squirrels would sell for 75 cents. That's more in line with what I thought.

I figured if I got enough, I'd sell some skins if they were close to 2 bucks, but I guess I'll mount all my fox squirrels and sell em. Thanks a bunch.

I know the indians in Canada trap a lot of red squirrels, didn't know there was a market for them, but they said there was.

Fox squirels are larder than your common red squirle and have a greyer ting to there fur they resemble more a grey squirel than a red squirel or pine squirel. I ship all my squirels to FHA and they only take red squirels. THe last lot i sold averaged around 1.25 to a 1.50. If still in doubt then after you've shun your squirel if it fits on a mink board its not a red squirel there far to small to fit even on a female mink board. There more likely to fit on a weasel board.....But thats jst my 2 cents.

Buck, I'll try to clear the terms up on the squirrels for the others.

Around here anyway, these are what the squirrels look like (actually, there are only grey and fox squirrels here, so I may be wrong on the pine/red):

Fox:

Grey:

Red/Pine:

Note the difference between the red and fox squirrels are, the reds have a white belly, and the fox have an orangeshish belly, and are much larger.

As far as selling, apparently FHA only buys reds, and NAFA, well it seems no-one who knows has posted yet. If you have a local buyer, I'd say call him up and ask him what he buys and if he knows what NAFA buys. I hate to say it but I don't think you'll get $2 for fox/grey's though.

But I do think that every begginer fur handler and trapper should trap (if legal) and put up squirrels, even if they aren't worth much. IMO, they are good practice to get the basics of skinning, and are good practice to get the basics of fleshing, and drying and stretching on wood boards (female mink boards for average size fox and greys, and apparently weasel boards for reds).

OK, I will tell you what the people at NAFA told me.

All are bought.

Reds have to be undamaged.
One hole in the head is ok.
Any holes in the body will downgrade to pitifull levels.

No shotgunned anything.

Fox and grays can have a bullethole in the body but if there are more than one bullet's worth of holes, toss it.

I trap limb rats for the market as we have way too many here and they are saleable.

The more prime any are the better.

That is a definate answer.

Some gray and 1 fox dont think we have any pine squirrles
My fur buyer buys them both.

what time is supper?

we have reds, greys, and fox squirrels (although I've never seen one), but the greys far outnumber the reds.

AND... our reds (pine squirrels) are about a third smaller than greys, but dont have the ear tufts as shown in the photo above.

Looks like we all got a lot to learn about squirrels.

Buckne I am going to give you the lowdown on fox squirrels at NAFA. I know for a fact that they are worth a great big whopping 50 cents on the sales. They sell under mis. squirrel and only bring a third of the price of the red squirrel. This I can guarantee. Look no futher your question has been answered. Nafa is not the place to sell fox squirrel.

NAFA takes red Squirrel. Fur in, tailbone pulled, no fat or meat under the arm pits, front legs tucked in is the best.
Cheers
pete

i dont understand y is the fox squirrel less than a little pine squirrel? the pine squirrels around here are slightly bigger than a chipmunk.

Don - I have been at a lot of the NAFA sales and have never seen any fox or grey squirrels offered for sale in the auction room. The only squirrels I have seen are the pine/red squirrel that comes from Canada.

I do know that NAFA had a private treaty market for fox squirrels and grey squirrels. But last I heard they had pretty much saturated that limited market.

I sell tails to Mepps around 4-700 every year.

Last I heard they do, for the tails anyway...