Author Topic: What kind of squirrel is this? (Read 11911 times)

bobcat · « **on:** February 17, 2013, 04:57:34 PM »

I put out some COB a couple weeks ago for elk, hoping to keep tabs on the bulls in this area, where I got pictures of 2 or 3 bulls a few weeks ago. Well, I did get a few elk pictures, as they walked by on the trail, but they never stopped to eat the COB. Don't seem to be the least bit interested in it.

Checked the camera today and had 939 pictures, but most of the pile of COB was still there. I was a bit perplexed as to how 939 pictures were taken but the COB wasn't gone. Yep, you guessed it, I only had three pictures of elk and over 900 squirrel pictures. Last weekend when I checked it there were no squirrel pictures. So they just found it this week.

The pictures aren't the best so I'm having a hard time figuring out what kind of squirrels these are. I think I've ruled out the Western Grey. But could be a Douglas squirrel or an Eastern Grey. Looks more like an Eastern Grey to me from the coloration but I thought they were bigger.

So does anyone know for sure? I'll post some cropped pictures as well as the un-cropped. The cropped pics are quite grainy.

bobcat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2013, 04:59:59 PM »

more...

bobcat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:01:20 PM »

And here is what I was really after...

earlmarne · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:05:11 PM »

im far from an expert but id say its an eastern grey squirrel in the pic i can see em the best

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:06:27 PM »

eastern grey squirrel .....Yep!

I have 5 living here in my back yard in Puyallup....and grew up shooting the hell out of them on the east coast. They are protect here

blacktailcody · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:09:53 PM »

Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on February 17, 2013, 05:06:27 PM

eastern grey squirrel .....Yep!

I have 5 living here in my back yard in Puyallup....and grew up shooting the out of the on the east coast. They are protect here

gasman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:12:08 PM »

Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on February 17, 2013, 05:06:27 PM

eastern grey squirrel .....Yep!

I have 5 living here in my back yard in Puyallup....and grew up shooting the out of them on the east coast. They are protect here

No................ its in Western Washington, there for it has to be a Western Grey Squirrel

The east side cant take every thing form us

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:12:58 PM »

Quote from: gasman on February 17, 2013, 05:12:08 PM

Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on February 17, 2013, 05:06:27 PM
eastern grey squirrel .....Yep!

I have 5 living here in my back yard in Puyallup....and grew up shooting the hell out of them on the east coast. They are protect here

No................ its in Western Washington, there for it has to be a Western Grey Squirrel

The east side cant take every thing form us

blacktailcody · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:14:07 PM »

Quote from: gasman on February 17, 2013, 05:12:08 PM

Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on February 17, 2013, 05:06:27 PM
eastern grey squirrel .....Yep!

I have 5 living here in my back yard in Puyallup....and grew up shooting the out of them on the east coast. They are protect here

No................ its in Western Washington, there for it has to be a Western Grey Squirrel

The east side cant take every thing form us

So sorry you are so right.

bobcat · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:38:56 PM »

OK, sounds like most agree that it's an Eastern Grey. That's what I was hoping. Never ate squirrel before, I think I want to try it!

Might take the .22 out there next time I go.

earlmarne · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:45:34 PM »

squirrel is amazing.i like to fry it up like chicken.the family loves when i get a mess of em.

Heredoggydoggy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:46:11 PM »

It's not a Douglas Squirrel... I know what they look like--not grey, and not that big! I'm not familiar enough with the two greys you have there to tell.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2013, 05:54:10 PM »

Its a Western Grey ... Man Bobcat his belly may pop any minute now ...Lmao ! See the Redish Tan coloring around the eyes ! Thats how you can tell ...Eastern Grey does not have that coloring around the eye !!!

Awesome pictures by the way

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:01:47 PM »

Here is an Eastern Grey !

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:02:49 PM »

Western Grey !

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:04:52 PM »

Eastern
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel

Western
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_gray_squirrel

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:05:02 PM »

Eastern Fox Squirrel ...My favorite squirrel hunt ..they get big !

bobcat · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:06:48 PM »

So I CAN'T kill them?

They are an endangered squirrel? Maybe the WDFW would be interested in knowing the location?

I'm still not 100% convinced. I thought Western Greys were much bigger than this.

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:08:26 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2013, 06:06:48 PM

So I CAN'T kill them?

They are an endangered squirrel?

Thats my understanding in Washington...It may have changed, I would check first

http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/

notice the ear size of the one in the wdfw picture

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:12:29 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2013, 06:06:48 PM

So I CAN'T kill them?

They are an endangered squirrel? Maybe the WDFW would be interested in knowing the location?

I'm still not 100% convinced. I thought Western Greys were much bigger than this.

Another thing I have noticed is the western is more Silverish Grey than the Eastern and most likely if you see a grey in the woods far from civilization and not in town chances are the Western Greys ..It is tough to tell anyways So I would be afraid to shoot one around here anyways

bobcat · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:15:01 PM »

Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on February 17, 2013, 06:08:26 PM

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2013, 06:06:48 PM
So I CAN'T kill them?

They are an endangered squirrel?

Thats my understanding in Washington...It may have changed, I would check first

Well I know Westerns are protected, and Easterns are not. Question is, which species are these? From the pictures you posted, my squirrels look like Easterns.

And Bowhunter, this is VERY close to civilization.

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:21:33 PM »

Bobcat,
click on that wdfw link above and it has areas listed for each type

bobcat · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:27:23 PM »

This is in Thurston County. It could be either but to me it doesn't look at all like a Western Grey. But Bowhunter45 says it is. Everyone else said Eastern. Looks like Bowhunter got out-voted.

Maybe I need to shoot one so I can get a close up look.

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:29:39 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2013, 06:27:23 PM

This is in Thurston County. It could be either but to me it doesn't look at all like a Western Grey. But Bowhunter45 says it is. Everyone else said Eastern. Looks like Bowhunter got out-voted.

Maybe I need to shoot one so I can get a close up look.

10-4 on that...

Have some well fed ones here in Puyallup. They should taste like peanuts by now.....

I know my grand mother use to make some fine squirrel gravy and over some homemade buttermilk biscuits that was some good grub

bobcat · « **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:30:57 PM »

Maybe I should give them a few more weeks, that COB should fatten them up real nice.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:40:27 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on February 17, 2013, 06:27:23 PM

This is in Thurston County. It could be either but to me it doesn't look at all like a Western Grey. But Bowhunter45 says it is. Everyone else said Eastern. Looks like Bowhunter got out-voted.

Maybe I need to shoot one so I can get a close up look.

HAHAHA Well go ahead and shoot it ...then post a picture on here and lets see what happens next

LMAO !!!!

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 17, 2013, 06:44:50 PM »

found this online for Wa....(first time I ever been WRONG

)

Non-Native Tree Squirrels: The Eastern Gray and Fox squirrel, while the most common squirrels found in urban settings, are not protected under these provisions and it is unlawful to release a squirrel without a permit anywhere other than on the property where it was found. Washington & Oregon doesn’t allow the public to import, trap or keep wildlife, without either a special exhibition permit or a wildlife holding permit (available only in Oregon - link below) or while under treatment by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

http://squirrelrefuge.org/squirrel_refuge_web_site_013.htm

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2013, 07:26:43 PM »

CoyoteChuck .. Some good info ... what you have found is a little different than what I found ...guess the thing to do is go by what the dept is declaring western Grey Squirrel habitat ..anything outside those guidelines is fair game ...

Bobcat ...looks like it is time for some squirrel stew ....

bobcat · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2013, 07:34:14 PM »

I'm thinking maybe I should just try to trap them, in a cage trap. That way I can let them go if they're the wrong kind!

CoyoteChuck52 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 08, 2013, 12:15:34 AM »

Think this one is a blue

timberhunter · « **Reply #30 on:** May 08, 2013, 12:28:29 AM »

a blue for sure! lol

Chukar · « **Reply #31 on:** May 08, 2013, 12:32:00 AM »

Wrong habitat and shape for Western GreySquirrel. That critter is here on the west side...rare and in oak woodlands only. More easily found on the eastern crest and again ...oak woodlands. Protected. If you post it here shenanigan's will begin.
The rodent in the pics is an Eastern Grey which is not protected and is in a habitat that can hold the species. Totally shootable.
Most Eastern Greys are located in areas where firearms are prohibited as they can live and breed close to humans and zoning and city limits prohibit firearms from being released for purposes of hunting so that's a problem.
Opposite is true for our Western variety as it occurs in more rural areas where shooting is more available.
Good news for bushy tailed rodent enthusiasts...Fox squirrels are expanding ranges in Eastern Wa. Potholes has em and so does areas around Walla Walla and Yakima. These grow bigger and while prefer human stylled development they can make a go in regular old woods. They are not protected. Like the Eastern Grey the Fox is introduced and a non native.
Squirrel lessons now concludes for this evening.

Axle · « **Reply #32 on:** May 08, 2013, 07:35:57 AM »

Those are 100% eastern grays. I have seen and shot hundreds of them in my life (here and other states).
I've only seen 2 western grays here in western WA and they are much larger. I'm sure the western is more common in other areas but here around Issaquah, it is mostly easterns.
A live trap will work very well too.

C-Money · « **Reply #33 on:** May 08, 2013, 08:52:55 AM »

Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on February 17, 2013, 06:05:02 PM

Eastern Fox Squirrel ...My favorite squirrel hunt ..they get big !

One of the best times in life is October in the PA hard woods gathering a mess of Fox Squirrels. Where I lived, Fox squirrels were the most abundant, and they did get big feeding on all the corn fields, and nut trees. My Mama use to bake the meat and then pull it off the bone and make a stew. She did this to remove any shot. Same treatment for all the big bunnys.

pianoman9701 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 08, 2013, 08:57:02 AM »

Eastern in the first few pics. Those are elk in the last few. Not squirrels at all!

wt · « **Reply #35 on:** May 08, 2013, 02:31:14 PM »

Eastern Grey foe sure, the brown and red accents are the characteristic that define them, invasive species. Happy gathering.

Ripper · « **Reply #36 on:** May 10, 2013, 08:34:19 AM »

We used to shoot a lot big eastern fox squirrels in Indiana. They are good to eat. I didn't know they were in Wa, I hadn't seen one.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 10, 2013, 08:47:45 AM »

My best times hunting as a kid was hunting squirrels ....I need to go back to Pa soon and hunt some ...My bro tells me that no one even hunts them anymore and the last time I went back deer hunting I seen hundreds but never bagged any up ...Yeah being in the Eastern Woods in October is hard to beat ...the leaves are a foot deep and you can hear everything coming that is roaming the forest floor ...Man I miss those days !!! I have killed a couple Fox Squirrels that were big as a cat

and that is the truth

One of the best ways to learn how to run a .22 ...popping squirrels in the head at 30 to 50 yrds... Nothen was safe when I was a kid

Ripper · « **Reply #38 on:** May 10, 2013, 10:52:40 AM »

I hear ya BH45. My fiancee is from Pa, over on the East side, I forget the name of the town, right next to Md. I plan on going back there sometime to deer hunt. I will have to pop a few squirrels while there.

yakimarcher · « **Reply #39 on:** May 10, 2013, 11:10:23 AM »

I used to shoot the living crap out of those things in my back yard when i was a kid

steen · « **Reply #40 on:** May 10, 2013, 09:46:54 PM »

We've got black ones a silver ones that showed up here in the last ten years. I understand they are not native and came from Stanely Park in BC. Not sure if that is one of the same. Not sure if it is true but it wouldn't surprise me.

paytonma · « **Reply #41 on:** May 10, 2013, 10:12:45 PM »

thats hands down an eastern gray. got a atleast 20 that roam my backyard here half gray half black i say shoot 'em thats what i do

turkeyfeather · « **Reply #42 on:** May 10, 2013, 10:19:51 PM »

They run up and down my fence taunting my dog all day long. I think it's an eastern as well.

Smossy · « **Reply #43 on:** May 10, 2013, 11:16:04 PM »

Yeah Id say "Western" Grey squirrel also.

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