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Author Topic: Tree rats  (Read 6385 times)

Offline Brownie28

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Tree rats
« on: December 15, 2011, 06:27:30 PM »
been seeing alot of squirrel posts on another forum and i cant seem to find anything in the game regs. on any sort of season or limit for squirrels. I would like to try eating some as ive heard they are tsaty just dont wanna get in trouble over a dang squirrel. any info would be greatly appreciated

Offline Kain

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2011, 06:32:20 PM »
The only tree squirrels you can hunt in WA are Eastern greys and Fox Squirrels.  All the others are protected.

Here is the info you need to have before you try hunting any squirrels in this state.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/

Offline Oneshot1Kill

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2011, 06:33:58 PM »
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the only squirrel you can kill in Washington is the Eastern Gray squirrel which is an invasive species around Seattle and such. I got a good yelling at once for asking a property owner if I could hunt ground squirrels on their land. Glad it was a land owner and not a Game Warden that corrected my faulty ideas.
Make every shot count cause ya might not get another.

Offline Kain

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2011, 06:45:19 PM »
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html#legal
Quote
Legal Status

Because legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information about squirrels change, contact your WDFW Regional Office for updates.

The Western gray squirrel is classified as a threatened species and cannot be hunted, trapped, or killed (WAC 232-12-007). The red squirrel, Douglas squirrel, and Northern flying squirrel are protected species and can be trapped or killed only in emergency situations when they are damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). A special permit is required in such situations.

The Eastern gray squirrel and Eastern fox squirrel are unclassified and may be trapped or killed year-round as long as you have a hunting license. In such cases, no special trapping permit is necessary for the use of live traps. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.192, 77.15.194; WAC 232-12-142).

It is unlawful to release a squirrel anywhere within the state, other than on the property where it was legally trapped, without a permit to do so (RCW 77.15.250; WAC 232-12-271).

Offline Brownie28

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2011, 07:10:28 PM »
Oh man. guess ill have to be really careful if i decide to go after em. thanks everyone for the info.

Offline Mr.T

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2011, 09:49:52 PM »
Good luck telling the difference between the eastern Grey and western grey.  :(

After looking at multiple photos I decided it would be too difficult to make a distinction in the field.   :dunno:  No squirl hunting for me. :(

Offline ICEMAN

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2011, 05:32:45 AM »
Great info for Brownie28. Good job Kain and Oneshot.... This is what makes this place so great.
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Offline ICEMAN

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2011, 05:33:36 AM »
Good luck telling the difference between the eastern Grey and western grey.  :(

After looking at multiple photos I decided it would be too difficult to make a distinction in the field.   :dunno:  No squirl hunting for me. :(

I agree. Pretty hard to discern.
molṑn labé

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Kill your television....do it now.....

Don't make me hurt you.

“I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”  John Wayne

Offline Kain

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2011, 09:10:14 AM »
Good luck telling the difference between the eastern Grey and western grey.  :(

After looking at multiple photos I decided it would be too difficult to make a distinction in the field.   :dunno:  No squirl hunting for me. :(

I agree. Pretty hard to discern.

There is only one small area where they could occupy the same area.  Most of the areas that hold Eastern gray squrrels are in cities so not really any hunting opportunities. 


Offline Kain

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2011, 09:14:37 AM »
Washington for Wildlife requested some changes to small game season for the upcoming season setting process.  We asked for a season to be opened on the Douglas and Red Squirrels after a poll where the majority of hunters supported that idea.  We never heard any response from WDFW but if you would like to send an email and attach this letter it could help.


Letter attached below.


Offline bobcat

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2011, 09:28:25 AM »
Surely a person wouldn't hunt Douglas squirrels for the meat? I can't imagine there being enough meat on them to make it worthwhile. What about chipmunks? Why did you not ask for a season? They seem more plentiful than Douglas Squirrels in many areas.

Offline Kain

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2011, 09:32:05 AM »
Surely a person wouldn't hunt Douglas squirrels for the meat? I can't imagine there being enough meat on them to make it worthwhile. What about chipmunks? Why did you not ask for a season? They seem more plentiful than Douglas Squirrels in many areas.

Why not?  People hunt frogs for frog legs and there is barely any meat on them.  I once spent an entire afternoon catching crawdads and only ended up with enough for a side dish for one person.   :chuckle:
« Last Edit: December 27, 2011, 09:41:55 AM by Kain »

Offline calawahsteelie

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #12 on: December 27, 2011, 01:36:14 PM »
So maybe someone can answer this for me. What kind are the house cat sized, coal black ones? I have 15 acres of filbert trees next to me and lets just say I have no shortage of grey or black ones.  :dunno:
"Fathom the Hypocrisy of a Government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen."

Offline runamuk

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #13 on: December 27, 2011, 01:43:27 PM »
My ex says squirrel is tasty and they hunted and them in Ok .  A friend from the south said squirrel is awesome wrapped and bacon or fried in bacon grease....however have been told the squirrel around here tastes like crap due to what they eat.....apparently east coast squirrels dine on acorns which makes for a better flavor than fir nut fed squirels  :dunno:

Offline gotshot

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #14 on: December 27, 2011, 01:51:23 PM »
My in-laws said they were kinda sweet and liked to make squirrel gravy and biscuits.
IBEW 76 JW

Offline JohnVH

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #15 on: December 29, 2011, 01:22:48 PM »
ton of those black ones are here too, are they legal to shoot? They are jerks and chase the grey ones around.

Offline Bob Williams

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #16 on: January 03, 2012, 06:02:12 AM »
Western Grey will be the one wearing the rain coat!  :lol4:

Offline BOWHUNTER45

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #17 on: January 03, 2012, 07:14:49 AM »
Good luck telling the difference between the eastern Grey and western grey.  :(

After looking at multiple photos I decided it would be too difficult to make a distinction in the field.   :dunno:  No squirl hunting for me. :(
:yeah: :yeah: For sure on that one .. I grew up as a squirrel huntin SOB and I loved it as a kid but seriously the squirrel population in Washington is seriously growing ...Mostly in the cities ...I feed 5 in my back yard but i have seen a couple while in the woods too ! but trying to tell the difference between the 2 good luck... The only thing I think I can see is the western grey has a brownish orange color patch under its eye but other than that I have no idea  :twocents:

Offline Encore 280

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #18 on: January 03, 2012, 07:22:06 AM »
Taste's like chicken. :chuckle: There was an article in the Seattle Times this Sunday about a gal in Seattle that traps them then drowns 'em and fixes a stew with 'em. Can't remember what section of the paper it was in though. I think I'll pass.

Offline jackmaster

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #19 on: January 03, 2012, 07:28:47 AM »
the only squirell i can identify is the douglas squirell and the chipmunk, now where i work i see an absolute crap load of big ass grey ones and i work in des moines kent federalway three tree point and parts of burien, whats funny is now there is no douglas squirells around in those areas, i wonder if the big grey ones run the douglas and chipmunks off, i would be for a season on all the squirells except chipmunks, no reason to kill those little fellers. :twocents:
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

Offline lokidog

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #20 on: January 03, 2012, 10:10:59 AM »
So maybe someone can answer this for me. What kind are the house cat sized, coal black ones? I have 15 acres of filbert trees next to me and lets just say I have no shortage of grey or black ones.  :dunno:

Most likely melanistic (dark phase) eastern gray squirrels.  Look at the map above, and if not in the middle of one of the western gray areas, fire away.   :twocents:

Squirrels are tasty but tougher than rabbit.  A long soak in the slow cooker is best.

Offline Fowlweather25

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Re: Tree rats
« Reply #21 on: January 03, 2012, 10:49:26 AM »
 :yeah: melanistic eastern grey! Fire away if in an area legal to do so.
What would life be without the thrill of the hunt?

 


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