Squirrel Hunting

According to my Peterson's First Guide - Mammals, the Grey Squirrel can be up to 1.5lbs, and the Fox Squirrel can be up to 2x as big at 3lbs.
 
Douglas Squirrel .. BC's native protected species

BCP said:
Pine squirrel! Thanks. That's the info I'm looking for. Fox squirrels bigger than grey squirrels? Around here the grey ones can be almost 2 Kg!
Click to expand...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Squirrel

According to what I have researched... Our native BC red squirrels are called "Douglas Squirrels"

They are super tiny (1/2 the size of Eastern Grey) Some of the photos in bright sunlight make them look greyish, however all the ones I have ever seen are quite a rusty/orange red.
 
LuckyStrike said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Squirrel

According to what I have researched... Our native BC red squirrels are called "Douglas Squirrels"

They are super tiny (1/2 the size of Eastern Grey) Some of the photos in bright sunlight make them look greyish, however all the ones I have ever seen are quite a rusty/orange red.
Click to expand...

The Douglas Squirrel is basically a coastal version of the Red Squirrel.
 
WolfyW said:
I agree that they are better than rabbit.

They taste really good. If you just toss them in a fry pan, chewy like rubber. Instead, throw the parts in a zip lock for several hours with your favorite marinate plus a shot of olive or canola oil. Then you slow cook the meat for a few hours and the meat just about falls off the bone. Mine ends up with the same tenderness as a kentucky fried drumstick. .
Click to expand...

yep, better than wild rabbit.

but, i highly disagree with frying pan = tough meat. cut up the critter into 6-8 pieces, toss in shake n bake, cook in 1/2" of oil until the last touch of pink disappears near the bone. the result is chunks of meat that are juicer and more tender than KFC with the added benefit of enjoying the meats natural flavor. this is my go to dish when introducing people to eating tree rats.


legi0n said:
Even though there's plenty greys inside city limits, I've yet to see a single one where I hunt.
Click to expand...

it's normal to walk through a squirrel infested bush and not see a single one as they'll usually stay still and watch you walk by. it usually only takes 10-15 minutes of sitting still for the bush to come alive again:shotgun:


i think i've logged more hours hunting squirrels than any other animal...
 
LuckyStrike said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Squirrel

According to what I have researched... Our native BC red squirrels are called "Douglas Squirrels"

They are super tiny (1/2 the size of Eastern Grey) Some of the photos in bright sunlight make them look greyish, however all the ones I have ever seen are quite a rusty/orange red.
Click to expand...


Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurius douglasii).

Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurius hudsonicus).

Two separate species according to the BC CORE manual.
 
Since no one has said it yet. NO NOT THE SQUIRRELS!!!!! They are so cute and fuzzy!!!! Save the squirrels, but.... kill the chipmunks those evil plotting bastages. Save the whales, but shoot the seals!!!
 
crazydave said:
I am thinking you mean 2 lbs, a 2 kg squirrel would be larger than many house cats, and about the same size as a fair size muskrat.

If the greys are 2 kg best start thinking of a squirrel protection gun;)
Click to expand...

That's closing on 2 Kg. Not all of them are that size, but some can be over 3 lbs near the nut farms. I would say body length (not counting the tail) up to 40 cm long. I would say the biggest ones are the size of a small house cat. These tree rats raid the nuts all day long and fatten up on them.

Well the fox squirrels are reported to be bigger, so you better get your squirrel protection gun(s) ready! :)
 
NorthShoreX said:
Eastern Grey is 20 - 25cm long not including tail and is usually in the Black colour phase. Found in the GVRD and Victoria.

Easter Fox is 25 - 63cm long not including tail. It is rusty on the upper part with a pale yellowish belly and it's tail is bordered by a tawny fringe. Found in the extreme southern Okanagan Valley.

Both are listed Schedule "C" and may be hunted anywhere (with permission on private land), any season as long as you have a hunting licence, and are in a legal shooting area.
Click to expand...

63 cm! Those fox squirrels must me pretty impressive in size! I just checked, the only schedule C wildlife that require a hunting license are crows, magpies, and brown-headed cowbirds.

Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Shotgun is the best medicine for actively hunting squirrels.
Click to expand...

That works! :)

Barnes_270 said:
Can't believe this hasn't been posted on this thread yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RlK0Xd4c2c
Click to expand...

Yum yum squirrel bum! :p
 
Squirrel Pie

legi0n said:
Even though there's plenty greys inside city limits, I've yet to see a single one where I hunt.
Click to expand...


If that video makes you hungry for squirrel .... :D and you can't shoot them.

Just get a live trap baited with peanut butter. You'll catch lots of grey squirrels for dinner... plus are easily able to release a red native that happens to get caught. be it either species Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurius douglasii).Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurius hudsonicus).

Totally legal to trap greys in city limits , just as long as they are humanely killed.

And... you'll be doing the province a favour....... Also, save the tails for your fly tying pals!

Lucky......... mmmmmm squirrel melts! :D
 
LuckyStrike said:
If that video makes you hungry for squirrel .... :D and you can't shoot them.

Just get a live trap baited with peanut butter. You'll catch lots of grey squirrels for dinner... plus are easily able to release a red native that happens to get caught. be it either species Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurius douglasii).Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurius hudsonicus).

Totally legal to trap greys in city limits , just as long as they are humanely killed.

And... you'll be doing the province a favour....... Also, save the tails for your fly tying pals!

Lucky......... mmmmmm squirrel melts! :D
Click to expand...

IIRC...mepps (they make inline spinners for fishing) will give you 1 spinner per 10-12 tails you mail to them. thats how it was 4-5 years ago anyways...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom