Gary,
Back in my BuckSkinner days, I did a couple of squirrels, rabbit and even a Badger. No, the Badger was not from Wisconsin. I used a kit, I believe from Dixie. Now, as a group, we did a number of Whitetails, using the old process. There is a series of six videos on U-Tube that takes you through the process. The young fellas in there, pretty much mirrors what we did. I'll try and get you the link. .....
You need to break the hide and apply some neets foot oil. You can make a tool or get one from Van Dykes to aid in the process. The idea is to stretch the fibers in the skin to allow oil to penetrate.
It may help to soak the hide in plain water to get it into workable condition. Care must be taken when working your hide, due to the thinness of it, that you don't damage it.