Squirrels in the woods

[ljsommer]

So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.

So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.

[Knocker of rocks]

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

[ljsommer]

Thanks for the link, but that kind of highlights my question: Are there any eastern gray squirrels in the *woods* or are they only in developed areas?
From the article:

"Eastern gray squirrels are mid-sized, with relatively narrow tails and short ears compared to western gray squirrels. They have a pale gray coat with a reddish-brown wash on the face, back, and tail. Their underparts are creamy white. Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced into Washington in 1925. ***They are now common in many cities, and thrive in developed areas.*** When hunting this species, special care should be taken to distinguish between it and the similar western gray squirrel."

I am suggesting that they aren't actually in the woods at all and are instead congregated in the surrounding developed areas.

[Skyvalhunter]

They certainly are squirrels in my area.

[Jake Dogfish]

I’ve never seen a flying squirrel but apparently they are all over the place.  They are nocturnal and stay up in the trees.  There are animals that are common that are not seen often.  The rubber boa is a great example. 

[JakeLand]

The only squirrel you can shoot are eastern greys with that they’re around and spreading but be sure of the markings before pulling the trigger

[The Marquis]

California Ground Squirrels are good to shoot as well, but unless you live in or near Klickitat County, you'll be driving a ways. 

A VAST majority of the Eastern Grays are in or near developed areas.  You may find them in the "woods" that are in these areas.  State land surrounded by semi-suburban type rural areas (like close-in farms and such).  I have them all over my yard and pick em off with a pellet gun and fry em up. 

As others have said, most squirrels in the "woods" like Douglas, Golden Mantle (both of which are ABUNDANT in some areas) are protected and honestly, just too small to make any decent use of.

[smithkl42]

I see Douglas squirrels in the woods all over the place (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_squirrel), but I can't remember the last time I saw an Eastern Gray (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel) out in the woods. On my property, in my backyard, yeah, all the time. But I can't remember seeing them in the forest. More just around built-up suburban areas.

If you can find 'em on the ground, they're fun to hunt. My boys have gotten several with their bows.

[Duck_Lover]

I went to Tiger Mountain State Forest to scout rabbit but could not see any, but I saw a couple of squirrels.


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[optic2]

So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.

So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.

Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.

Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).

[Axle]

Eastern grays do venture a little ways away from developments but they are comfortable in the city.
And they are real good at hiding when you go by! I have had a couple on cams up the hill.
I've only seen one western gray in all my years here on the wet side. They are much larger.
I wish we had the larger fox squirrel around here instead. It would make skinning worth eating it due to the size. The eastern grays are quite small. And annoying! I wish they weren't here.

[JakeLand]

So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.

So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.

There’s eastern greys up hwy 2 . They’re spreading like coyotes
Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.

Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).

[optic2]

So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.

So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.

How far up hwy 2?
There’s eastern greys up hwy 2 . They’re spreading like coyotes
Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.

Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).

[The Marquis]

Here's a decent summary of locations by wdfw.

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

Shooters are Eastern Gray, Eastern Fox, and the California Ground Squirrel.  As you can see, not a lot of places with public land where these are.