Tree rats

[Brownie28]

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

[Kain]

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/

[Oneshot1Kill]

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.

[Kain]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html#legal

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).

[Brownie28]

Oh man. guess ill have to be really careful if i decide to go after em. thanks everyone for the info.

[Mr.T]

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.     No squirl hunting for me.

[ICEMAN]

Great info for Brownie28. Good job Kain and Oneshot.... This is what makes this place so great.

[ICEMAN]

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.     No squirl hunting for me.

I agree. Pretty hard to discern.

[Kain]

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.     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. 

[Kain]

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.

[bobcat]

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.

[Kain]

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.   

[calawahsteelie]

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. 

[runamuk]

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 

[gotshot]

My in-laws said they were kinda sweet and liked to make squirrel gravy and biscuits.

[JohnVH]

ton of those black ones are here too, are they legal to shoot? They are jerks and chase the grey ones around.

[Bob Williams]

Western Grey will be the one wearing the rain coat! 

[BOWHUNTER45]

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.     No squirl hunting for me.

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 

[Encore 280]

Taste's like chicken. 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.

[jackmaster]

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.

[lokidog]

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. 

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.   

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

[Fowlweather25]

  melanistic eastern grey! Fire away if in an area legal to do so.