I have been thinking about starting to tie my own hair jigs during the hard water time in IL. Yesterday, I saw a dead squirrel on the side of the road and seriously thought about stopping to cut off it's tail to use to make hair jigs. My question is, does something need to be done to the tail to keep it from smelling like rotting flesh? I just kept thinking that after a few days, I am sure it is going to stink. Maybe I am wrong. If any of you collect roadkill squirrel tails, please let me know if there is something to prevent the smell. Thank you!

Yes, they need to be stripped of there meat and tanned. It is really more of a pain then what it is worth, I have tried some deer tails and just buy them now.

There's alot less flesh on a squirrel tail to rot. You can salt the flesh end for a few days; it'll draw out the moisture and the the tail will be fine. I used to do my own when I was growing up. If you're really worried, split up the tail with a small scissors, scrape the bones out with a teaspoon and salt/dry that.

all you really have to do is just air dry it in the garage or something. salting the cut end helps.

Hair is cheap enough...i wouldn't deal with it. Got these from sites linked in an earlier thread regarding jig and fly tying supplies.

Barlows Tackle search: hair

Bears Den search: Hair

Thanks for the info guys!