Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Rooster on September 14, 2008, 12:30:27 PM

Title: Squirell???
Post by: Rooster on September 14, 2008, 12:30:27 PM: Is squirell legal for hunting here in Wa? I read somewhere they they are protected, then I read somewhere else that its only the eastern gray squirell you can hunt. Does anyone have any info? And possibly a reference?
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: saylean on September 14, 2008, 12:37:44 PM: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/wgraysquirrels/

looks like they are safe from hunting.
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: Rooster on September 14, 2008, 02:15:51 PM: I have read that page and that mentions that the Douglas, western, and flying squirrels are illegal to hunt. But I've done other reading saying that the eastern squirrel which is a non-native pest is legal. But I am trying to find some legit proof that says I can shoot the eastern gray. All I've seen so far is from what people say.
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: Bscman on September 14, 2008, 09:12:33 PM: Quote from: Rooster on September 14, 2008, 02:15:51 PM
I have read that page and that mentions that the Douglas, western, and flying squirrels are illegal to hunt. But I've done other reading saying that the eastern squirrel which is a non-native pest is legal. But I am trying to find some legit proof that says I can shoot the eastern gray. All I've seen so far is from what people say.

I sent an email to WDFW and Dennis Nicks responded saying exactly what you stated above.
He then encouraged NO hunting of ANY squirrels, because they can be difficult to identify at times.
I think I still have the copy of the email saved to the computer.
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2008, 09:35:32 PM: I'd go ahead and shoot the eastern gray squirrels if you get a chance, and have a legal place to do so. They mostly live in areas populated with lots of people though. Here's some good information on the WDFW site if you haven't already seen it:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/wgraysquirrels/index.htm
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: Rooster on September 15, 2008, 09:59:31 PM: I can tell the difference if I can get close enough to one to see. I have 10 acres where im at and squirrels are all over the place.
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: WildlifeAssassin on October 02, 2008, 12:08:25 PM: Here is the response from WDFW: "Eastern gray squirrels are considered a nuisance non-native species. Although classified as wildlife, you still must obtain a small game hunting license. There is no season or limit, however."
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: brokenbone on October 02, 2008, 04:32:44 PM: what about the reds and the blacks up in whatcom co?
Title: Re: Squirell???
Post by: mikeal1234 on October 15, 2008, 12:58:39 PM: the reds are considered the same as the douglas is the info i got when i was shooting eastern greys last year