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Racing with the devil squirrels

 
R Jay
Posts: 198
Location: 54 North BC Canada
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So your food forest has matured, and the nut trees are producing.

Saw this tool on Youtube--hand-power yet seems to be effective.

Sold thru Amazon, both dot-com and dot-ca.

Just roll it along and shake it out into a container--single ball ones are available,too.  
Different sizes for different nuts....even one for picking up windfall apples.

Just watch out for peed-off squirrels ganging up and mugging you.....

 
Tyler Ludens
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I think about eating them.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/157849/slow-cooker-squirrel-and-veggies/

Idle dreamer

 
R Jay
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Tyler Ludens wrote:I think about eating them.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/157849/slow-cooker-squirrel-and-veggies/



The only possible problem with with squirrel is the level of pesticides stored in their body.
Depends on what your neighbors do on their property.

What do you use, Tyler?  A .410? A .22?

Or for the price of a decent rifle or small-bore shotgun, you could put together 4 or 5 of
these:

http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/10/diy-squirrel-trap/

Just check them every day.  When not in use, just put a cap on the top.
 
Marci Sudlow
Posts: 43
Location: Vermont, USA (zone 4)
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My grandparents used to have a game dinner every New Years Day with every critter my grandfather had shot during the year and stored in the freezer.  Accompanying the venison and ducks were squirrel, rabbit, various game birds, and other fare.  I think my grandma baked the smaller game animals.  I particularly liked the squirrels.  They are good eating, trust me!

As far as trapping squirrels, I'm not certain, but I think my state (Vermont) treats squirrels as game animals and very specific rules apply to how and how many you are allowed to take.  I suspect trapping them might be illegal here.
 
Tyler Ludens
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I only think about eating them.  I don't personally own a gun.

Idle dreamer

 
Alex Riddles
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I find a havahart trap and a PVC bow will get the job done.
 
R Jay
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In my neck of the woods it is open season for squirrels on private land.
Doesn't seem to be any regs regarding rabbits,either.

Vermont has a squirrel season from Sept 1st to Dec 31st with taking 4 daily and total
possession of 8....but I "believe" this is on public land,  Your own property?
Same with rabbit Sept 29th to Mar 10th 2019 with taking 3 daily and possessing 6

You plan to use live traps on your own property?  What happens to the squirrel or rabbit afterwards?
None of my business......in my case,a little band of barn cats take on any squirrel on the property.  
 
Seth Rogers
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I typically use a 20 gauge for squirrels. A .410 will do the job but you have less range and a smaller margin of error. A 22, air rifle or even a slingshot can kill one but you'd better be a good shot. They don't like to sit still long enough to give you a clear shot.

As far as eating them goes, young ones can be battered and fried. A slow cooker works best for older ones, they tend to be incredibly tough if not cooked for a while.

All this applies to the ones out in the woods that have been hunted before. I don't have any experience with them there city squirrels.
 
Marco Banks
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A box trap is the way to go.

Squirrels are so inquisitive.  They'll explore a trap -- in fact, it's hard to keep them out of it.  I set my trap up on top of a block wall where the squirrels like to run, and I get them within 24 hours.  For bait, I use a few peanuts or corn kernels.  

"The rule of no realm is mine.  But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, these are my care.  And for my part, I shall not wholly fail in my task if anything that passes through this night can still grow fairer or bear fruit and flower again in days to come.  For I too am a steward.  Did you not know?"    Gandolf

 
Bryant RedHawk
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Traps are great but you do have to check them at least daily.
My own preference is my bow but I also use a .22 rifle or pistol and on some occasions I use my shotgun. 9 out of 10 times I hunt with my bow.  
I don't "sport hunt" If I am out to hunt, we need the meat.
We do have a live trap but it is for Raccoons and opossum that have made themselves a nuisance on the farm, they are humanely dispatched and made use of.

BBQ coon is quite nice, squirrels are either stew or fried up. opossum is too greasy so they are composted.

The only game meat we keep in the freezer is deer, the others I only hunt for eating that evening.

List of Bryant RedHawk's Epic Soil Series Threads We love visitors, that's why we live in a secluded cabin deep in the woods. "Buzzard's Roost (Asnikiye Heca) Farm." Promoting permaculture to save our planet.

 
Tyler Ludens
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Marco Banks wrote: I set my trap up on top of a block wall where the squirrels like to run, and I get them within 24 hours.  For bait, I use a few peanuts or corn kernels.  



How do you dispatch them once trapped?

Idle dreamer

 
Bryant RedHawk
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I use a captive dart, right through the brain, instant death. The dart is better than a bullet, it can't damage the trap, is less messy, and it puts down the animal instantly.
I conferred with a vet about what was the best way and took their advice.

LOL I thought you wanted to know about the raccoons and opossums.

List of Bryant RedHawk's Epic Soil Series Threads We love visitors, that's why we live in a secluded cabin deep in the woods. "Buzzard's Roost (Asnikiye Heca) Farm." Promoting permaculture to save our planet.

 
Morfydd St. Clair
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Bryant RedHawk wrote:I use a captive dart, right through the brain, instant death. The dart is better than a bullet, it can't damage the trap, is less messy, and it puts down the animal instantly.
I conferred with a vet about what was the best way and took their advice.

LOL I thought you wanted to know about the raccoons and opossums.



Ok, I'm dumb - what is a captive dart?  Googling only gets me poisonous frogs. :)

For all, if you use traps, please monitor them regularly.  I'm still traumatized by the squirrel in my grandma's attic who had scraped all the skin off the top of his head, down to his skull, in panic.  He went to a nice park a few miles away but I can't imagine he did well...
 
Bryant RedHawk
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It is a small "captive bolt" gun, used for cattle and hog slaughter.
I was given a small one by a guy from Bryan Foods back in the 1970's, it was considered to small for their needs at the slaughter operation.

mine uses the same charge cartridge that construction bolt setters use (.22 cal. blank).

captive bolt pistol   This is the new look I think

Mine is similar but it has a semi sharpened "bolt" that pops out about an inch to maybe an inch and a half. It sounds like a loud cap gun when you shoot.

List of Bryant RedHawk's Epic Soil Series Threads We love visitors, that's why we live in a secluded cabin deep in the woods. "Buzzard's Roost (Asnikiye Heca) Farm." Promoting permaculture to save our planet.

 
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