squirrel tail -- germs?

[YEM]

I found a fox squirrel run over by a car in a Bay Area suburb. I thought the tail could be used as fly tying material, so I cut it off and put it in my garage to "dry out". Then a friend told me that some rodents (like ground squirrels) carry diseases like the plague. Now I wonder about that fox squirrel.

I know some of you harvest your own materials. What kind of precautions do you take? Are some species to be avoided? Any treatments to disinfect or preserve materials?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Maybe put it in a ziplock bag and in the freezer for a while?

You can wash it with hot water and soap too.

[Mike O]

the plague (bubonic plague) is spread by fleas, bites, saliva, blood contact etc. cut it, bag it, raid it, wash it with soap.

if it had been dead any length of time, the fleas already left the cooling body looking for other hosts, and you would be more likely to get fleas from the surrounding area.

That's said, usually the local health organizations keep a good finger on the pulse of the plague. they would issue a warning if it were in the area. I have heard of plague burning through Ground Squirrel populations, but not tree squirrels. not that it couldn't happen...hell your cat could be a carrier if it hunts wild rodentia.

When I harvest road kill (really sad there were too many cars around the area I found a river otter) I usually use a barrier between me and the blood, make a quick cut, bag it, and go. or just shove the whole (fresh) piece into a garbage bag an TIE the back in a knot

[YEM]

I found some more info about processing fly tying materials:

http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/petti.htm

Considering the health concerns and effort required, I don't think it's worth it for me to harvest roadkill... unless I find a genetic rooster lying in the middle of the road. But why would one of those be crossing?

[jersey]

wild rodentia and chico freaks in the same day

awesome

[Mike O]

unless I find a genetic rooster lying in the middle of the road. But why would one of those be crossing?

to get away from Denny?

[caniretireyet?]

I have an incredible mother in law who, by means I am sworn to keep secret, provides me with an ongoing supply of red fox squirrel tail hair. I freeze it for a few days, and have never had any bug issues. On the other hand, a grey squirrel took a swim in my horse trough and couldn't climb out. I detailed him, put the tail in a ziplock bag and put the bag on my tying desk without freezing it first. A couple of days later, the bag was practically walking around my desk using magot power for motility.

Don't forsake roadkill. Just handle it with care and have a good cover story if your neighbors or the cops stop with a concerned look.

Steve

[Garfly]

OK---I got this one..... Keep said tail cold until it can be given a 2- minute prep!--Quickly skin the tail by making one long incision from base of tail to the tip....pull out tailbone and discard (which contains meat,sinew,and tendons),then rub skin liberally with salt and 20-muleteam borax and set on a few paper towels for moisture loss( borax might be found at your grocery store)....after 2-3 days rub only with the borax;which can AND SHOULD be used on any feathers/pheasant pelts,etc,etc... that you think might get attacked by bugs....after dry -you may store it with a dusting of borax!

Borax is the best for keeping things like feathers etc...from having bugs invade your fly tying supplies over the years!!!!