50 Shades of Gray…..Squirrel Hunting

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 10/17/2019 | S Haugen

[w1n1]

Gray squirrels are Excellent Eating – some say even better than Venison. Hunting tree squirrels in the West has never hit the fever pitch seen in Midwest and East Coast states. There are many reasons that could explain our lack of bushy tail hunting mania, but suffice it to say, if you have a versatile gun dog, it’s yet another great opportunity to get out and have fun.
Gray squirrels are excellent eating – some say even better than venison – and they can be found in many habitats. From the Coast Range to the valley floors, the Cascades to the high desert, from Canada down into Mexico, western grays are adaptive.

AT ABOUT A year of age gray squirrels begin to breed. The breeding season can run from December through June, and after just over a six-week gestation period, up to five kits are born. Western gray kits will remain in the nest for up to six months – sometimes longer – which equates to setbacks in the species’ ability to efficiently propagate in an area, especially when competing with squirrels that fledge sooner.
Due to the vulnerability of western gray populations, check local hunting regs for seasons and bag limits. Currently, westerns are protected in Washington and cannot be hunted there. Acorns and pine seeds are primary food sources of these squirrels, though they’ll feed on fir and other seeds in the area. Populations are largely impacted by how much food there is each year, which is determined by weather conditions.
Western grays are diurnal, making them great to hunt with a dog. While they often feed in and travel through treetops early in the morning and in the evening, they can also be found foraging for seeds on the ground throughout the day. I like to find good habitat and glass the trees early and late in the day, and cover ground with my dogs the rest of the time. Gray squirrels leave a lot of scent on the ground, and dogs can easily track and tree them. Chases are usually short, so your dog won’t get winded, or run too far in some of the rugged lands these squirrels call home. Read the rest of squirrel hunting tips.

[Starstruck]

The only reason I have squirrels around my property is chili iand stew in a SHTF scenario. They are destructive to wiring and other items.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Yeah, but as soon as they get into another state they want to raise its taxes, increase regulation, and spread other communicable Californian diseases.

[daniel1212]

Illegal to kill them in this populous NE city, though they seem to like the rat poison i put out.

[Lurker]

My grandmother made a delicious squirrel stew. I still have the cast iron pan she used. It never leaves our stovetop.

L

[mewzilla]

Man eats squirrel brains, gets brain disorder and dies

[redinIllinois]

Years ago we lived in Milwaukee for a while, and the squirrels had nothing to do but run up and down the nut trees all day, so I knew that they would be good and tender if I could just get my hands on one, so I put some bread and maybe peanut butter in a birdcage, and tied a string on the door to make a homemade box trap, and finally caught one!!

Fried him up golden brown and delicious, with mashed potatoes and gravy, and hot biscuits - not as good as my Grandma made, but a wonderful treat for someone stuck in the city :)