Recycle Squirrel Tails with the Mepps Squirrel Tail Program
OutdoorHub Reporters 09.24.18
Mepps® continues to ask hunters and trappers to save their squirrel tails for. The tails are recycled and used for their hand-tied dressed hooks, which anglers find on their world-famous fishing lures. Mepps Squirrel Tail Program has been recycling squirrel tails for over half-a-century.
The fact is squirrel tails are all hair—no fur. Practically all other animals have fur tails with just a few guard hairs. Fur doesn’t have the rippling, pulsating movement of squirrel hair in the water. And, squirrels are plentiful. Plus, squirrel is some of the best wild meat and their skins are used for caps, coats, glove linings and many other items, but the tail is usually thrown away. We’re asking you to help us recycle this valuable resource.
AND, they’re offering to reward you for your efforts!
Mepps buys fox, black, grey and red squirrel tails and will pay up to 26 cents each for tails, depending on quality and quantity. Plus, the cash value is doubled if the tails are traded for Mepps lures.
“Squirrels are good eating and we can reuse their tails for making the world’s #1 lure,” explains Mepps® Communications Director, Josh Schwartz. “Consider harvesting squirrels for the 2018 hunting season.”
Schwartz reminds everyone, “We do not advocate harvesting of squirrels solely for their tails.”
NOTE: Mepps Squirrel Tail Program is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. We do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails. It is illegal to sell squirrel tails in the states of CA & ID, and it’s illegal to sell Western Grey Squirrel tails in the state of OR.
How to Submit Your Squirrel Tails
Please follow these instructions carefully:
- Tails are best on squirrels taken after October 1st.
- Do NOT remove the bone from the tail. Deboned and split tails have no value.
- Salt the butt end of the tail generously. Use either dry salt or dip in a strong saltwater solution.
- Be sure the tail is straight before drying. Tails that dry in a curled position cannot be used.
- Keep tails away from flies. Best storage is in a freezer. Do not send tails that have been exposed to flies.
- Do not put tails in a plastic bag for storage or shipment. They could heat up and spoil.
- The best time to ship is during cold weather months (Jan, Feb, & Mar). Dried squirrel tails may be shipped anytime.
- Put your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and tail count inside each package. And, please indicate whether you would like to receive the cash value for your tails or you would like to take advantage of lure exchange program. You can simply write “Trade for cash” or “Trade for lures”.
- Ship First Class Mail, First Class Parcel, Priority Mail if under 10 pounds or UPS Ground if over 10 pounds. Pack without fill in smallest packaging possible. Shipping will be refunded on shipments over 50 tails.
- Send your tails to:
Sheldons’, Inc.
626 Center St.
Antigo, WI 54409-2496 - Once Mepps Squirrel Tail Program has received your tails, our experienced team will grade the tails as premium, average, or unusable. With over 30 years of experience, you can trust their appraisal will be fair and accurate. If you have indicated “Trade for cash” (see step 8), a check will be sent to you. If you have indicated “Trade for lures”, you will be contacted to take your lure order.
