Post by: h20hunter on January 25, 2013, 09:17:13 AM
I saw a couple of older threads....BEGINNER STARTED ONE AND I BELIEVE THE DISCUSSION WAS MAINLY REGARDING EASTERN WA....
Post by: bobcat on January 25, 2013, 09:22:23 AM
They're 100% protected.
Post by: Buckmark on January 25, 2013, 09:23:11 AM
9. Protected Wildlife:
It is illegal to hunt, kill, possess, or control
protected wildlife. Protected wildlife are: Cascade
golden-mantled ground, golden mantled ground,
Washington ground, red, Douglas, northern
flying and western gray squirrels; Mazama pocket
gopher, steller and California sea lions; seals;
dolphins; porpoises; whales, green sea, loggerhead
sea and painted turtles; Larch Mountain
salamanders; pygmy whitefish, margined sculpins;
Olympic mudminnows; cony or pika; North
American lynx; common loon; least, yellow-pine,
Townsend’s, and red-tailed chipmunks; hoary
and Olympic marmots; wolverines; California
mountain kingsnakes; all birds not classified as
game birds, except, starlings, house sparrows,
rock doves (pigeons) and magpies; all bats, except
when found in or immediately adjacent to a
dwelling or other occupied building.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 25, 2013, 09:23:51 AM
Post by: Buckmark on January 25, 2013, 09:25:53 AM
*
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01024/wdfw01024.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01024/wdfw01024.pdf)
Post by: lokidog on January 25, 2013, 09:26:11 AM
Western Gray Squirrels are protected. Eastern Gray Squirrels are an invasive species, like Starlings. No closed season.
Was going to post something similar. The trick is finding the eastern grays in a place legal to hunt since they tend to hang out in parks and other populated places.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on January 25, 2013, 09:27:57 AM
Post by: h20hunter on January 25, 2013, 09:30:51 AM
Post by: bobcat on January 25, 2013, 09:36:52 AM
Quote
The western gray squirrel was added to Washington's list of state-threatened species in 1993 when surveys indicated a decline in its geographical distribution. The species was once common at low to mid-elevations in dry forests where oak, pine, and Douglas-fir mix. It is now limited to 3 areas in Washington: the southern Puget Trough, primarily on Fort Lewis Military Reservation; the Methow Valley in Okanogan County and north shore of Lake Chelan in Chelan County; and in the river valleys of Klickitat and southern Yakima.
Post by: h20hunter on January 25, 2013, 09:38:53 AM
Post by: lokidog on January 25, 2013, 09:41:29 AM
Here's the link with a map to their current range in WA. Looks like Lake Stevens does not have Western Grays, plug away. It looks like the most visible difference is that the Easterns have the brownish or buff under colors in the tail and on the face.
Post by: h20hunter on January 25, 2013, 10:07:33 AM
I think I need to go back and figure out what I'm looking at......I don't think these are big enough to be Western Grays.....From looking at pictures online it looks like the best characteristics to look for is the belly color. The tail also....the Gray looks to have a white edged or fringe on the tail.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 25, 2013, 10:09:19 AM
Heard there's a lot of them in East Wenatchee, though.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 25, 2013, 10:12:29 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html)
I think I need to go back and figure out what I'm looking at......I don't think these are big enough to be Western Grays.....From looking at pictures online it looks like the best characteristics to look for is the belly color.
Eastern Grays are bigger than Western Grays. That's why they can take over a territory so easily!
Post by: lokidog on January 25, 2013, 10:18:47 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html)
I think I need to go back and figure out what I'm looking at......I don't think these are big enough to be Western Grays.....From looking at pictures online it looks like the best characteristics to look for is the belly color.
Eastern Grays are bigger than Western Grays. That's why they can take over a territory so easily!
Actually from all the info, Weserns are about 10% bigger than Easterns. I think Easterns do better because they are not as speciallized in their feeding as Westerns are and can therefore do better, especially around people.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 25, 2013, 10:24:11 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html)
I think I need to go back and figure out what I'm looking at......I don't think these are big enough to be Western Grays.....From looking at pictures online it looks like the best characteristics to look for is the belly color.
Eastern Grays are bigger than Western Grays. That's why they can take over a territory so easily!
Actually from all the info, Weserns are about 10% bigger than Easterns. I think Easterns do better because they are not as speciallized in their feeding as Westerns are and can therefore do better, especially around people.
True--I grew up around Eastern Grays. They are mostly seen in Parks. Out in the woods, the little Red Squirrels dominate.
Post by: h20hunter on January 25, 2013, 10:24:46 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on January 25, 2013, 11:30:01 AM
Only saw one gray squirrel in all my years here in Wenatchee. A gray came running down the street, jumped the fence, and climbed up into my Oak Tree (which is no longer there). He looked around, climbed back down, jumped back over the fence and ran back up the street. Lots of Hawks in this area, so they probably turn into hawk-poop very quickly. :chuckle:Close ... lots of fox squirrels in East Wenatchee, just in the last decade or so. Big orange-bellied buggers, salt&pepper on top.
Heard there's a lot of them in East Wenatchee, though.
Post by: klikboom on January 25, 2013, 11:41:59 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on January 25, 2013, 11:44:04 AM
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on January 25, 2013, 12:01:42 PM
Only saw one gray squirrel in all my years here in Wenatchee. A gray came running down the street, jumped the fence, and climbed up into my Oak Tree (which is no longer there). He looked around, climbed back down, jumped back over the fence and ran back up the street. Lots of Hawks in this area, so they probably turn into hawk-poop very quickly. :chuckle:Close ... lots of fox squirrels in East Wenatchee, just in the last decade or so. Big orange-bellied buggers, salt&pepper on top.
Heard there's a lot of them in East Wenatchee, though.
Geez--Wish we had them in Wenatchee. I'm getting tired of shooting Starlings! :chuckle:
Post by: mitchfiling on January 26, 2013, 07:43:36 PM
Post by: Crisptrigr on January 28, 2013, 07:15:05 PM
Post by: lokidog on January 28, 2013, 07:28:30 PM
https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=2671985443696 (https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=2671985443696)
:chuckle:
Post by: gotshot on January 28, 2013, 07:32:33 PM
Post by: Axle on January 28, 2013, 07:37:48 PM
Quote
No season on squirrels.
They're 100% protected.
Wrong answer McFly!
Sorry - but I couldn't resist! There are huntable squirrels in this state.
Post by: younghunter123 on January 28, 2013, 07:38:38 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 28, 2013, 07:41:38 PM
Can you legally shoot one with a pellet gun in city limits ?Depends on your local city and county ordinances.
Post by: Russ McDonald on January 28, 2013, 08:01:46 PM
Post by: Axle on January 28, 2013, 08:04:23 PM
Quote
an you legally shoot one with a pellet gun in city limits ?
Sure.
You could shoot one with a 50 caliber too but what happens afterwards may not be to your advantage :bdid:. Using a cage trap usually works easy. You can lure them into your house and then shut the door too. :yike:
There are numerous ways to coax them into the crock pot.
Post by: Axle on January 28, 2013, 08:06:30 PM
Don't throw out the heads. Throw the heads in a pot of boiling water and eat the brains and tongue. That is the best part of the squirrel! :tup:
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2013, 08:14:52 PM
QuoteNo season on squirrels.
They're 100% protected.
Wrong answer McFly!
Sorry - but I couldn't resist! There are huntable squirrels in this state.
My post was in reply to the first post in this thread, and where he was talking about, there are not any eastern grey squirrels.
So my answer was correct. The question was not "are there huntable squirrels in the state."
Next time, read the thread from the beginning, instead of starting in the middle.
Post by: LowRange on January 28, 2013, 08:15:46 PM
It really does make for a good tasty drink full of vitamins and low fat forest meat :drool: :drool:
Post by: lokidog on January 28, 2013, 08:21:40 PM
QuoteNo season on squirrels.
They're 100% protected.
Wrong answer McFly!
Sorry - but I couldn't resist! There are huntable squirrels in this state.
My post was in reply to the first post in this thread, and where he was talking about, there are not any eastern grey squirrels.
So my answer was correct. The question was not "are there huntable squirrels in the state."
Next time, read the thread from the beginning, instead of starting in the middle.
Western? :chuckle:
Post by: wildweeds on January 28, 2013, 08:24:15 PM
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2671985443696# (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2671985443696#)
Post by: Curly on January 28, 2013, 08:40:47 PM
Catch and release okay? This is FUNNY
Yeah, that is the same one that loki posted on reply #23. Funny as hell. :chuckle: :chuckle: :tup:
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2013, 08:43:40 PM
QuoteNo season on squirrels.
They're 100% protected.
Wrong answer McFly!
Sorry - but I couldn't resist! There are huntable squirrels in this state.
My post was in reply to the first post in this thread, and where he was talking about, there are not any eastern grey squirrels.
So my answer was correct. The question was not "are there huntable squirrels in the state."
Next time, read the thread from the beginning, instead of starting in the middle.
Western? :chuckle:
No western's either, but what I meant by that is that there are no squirrels open for hunting in the area that the OP was talking about.
Post by: wildweeds on January 28, 2013, 08:45:52 PM
Catch and release okay? This is FUNNY
Yeah, that is the same one that loki posted on reply #23. Funny as hell. :chuckle: :chuckle: :tup:
Post by: lokidog on January 28, 2013, 09:20:47 PM
QuoteNo season on squirrels.
They're 100% protected.
Wrong answer McFly!
Sorry - but I couldn't resist! There are huntable squirrels in this state.
My post was in reply to the first post in this thread, and where he was talking about, there are not any eastern grey squirrels.
So my answer was correct. The question was not "are there huntable squirrels in the state."
Next time, read the thread from the beginning, instead of starting in the middle.
Western? :chuckle:
No western's either, but what I meant by that is that there are no squirrels open for hunting in the area that the OP was talking about.
Really? There are Easterns all over the place. We even have a few of the annoying turds here on our little island. Any squirrel that is gray, and is not in one of the Western Gray zones, is probably an Eastern. Wasn't he in the Lake Stevens area? :dunno:
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2013, 09:22:49 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 28, 2013, 09:27:02 PM
Yes, Lake Stevens. Heck there could be easterns where he was, I don't know for sure. But what I know of them, they are mostly in cities, parks, and subdivisions, where hunting is not allowed. I assumed he was talking about the more common native squirrels like the Douglas Squirrel.
Like I said, depends on local ordinance. But in the subdivision I am in, pellet gun is fair game, and live trap gets some of the dumber ones.
Post by: lokidog on January 28, 2013, 09:37:41 PM
Bummer......the western gray is what I was eyeballing. To bad because it sure would be nice to take the boy out and bring along the .22. Thanks for the help guys.....and yes Frank....I'll be working hard today.
I remembered him mentioning gray. ;)
I think traps would be the ticket anywhere firearms are not allowed. We used to get them in our rabbit traps using corn for bait back in WI. Flounder, I don't think pellet guns are legal to hunt with in WA, I could be wrong.
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2013, 09:40:40 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 28, 2013, 09:42:39 PM
Post by: bobcat on January 28, 2013, 09:47:30 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/tree_squirrels.html)
Post by: Axle on January 29, 2013, 07:35:32 AM
Quote
My post was in reply to the first post in this thread, and where he was talking about, there are not any eastern grey squirrels.
So my answer was correct. The question was not "are there huntable squirrels in the state."
Next time, read the thread from the beginning, instead of starting in the middle.
You said 'no season on squirrels - 100% protected'. I think I did read and respond correctly. I was also ribbing you for being incorrect in that statement.
I've heard others say the same thing over the years too; and for a while, I thought it was correct.
I think most hunters would also be shocked to know the full expansion of the Eastern Grays. They have moved a long ways out of towns these days.
It probably won't be long before they are in every corner of Washington's woods. - and I don't like them! :bash:
I've only seen a couple Western Grays in the past 10 years.
Post by: bobcat on January 29, 2013, 07:40:57 AM
Post by: Axle on January 29, 2013, 08:03:53 AM
Quote
I have NEVER seen an eastern gray squirrel anywhere that I hunt.
I know you've been all over Tiger Mt. Bobcat. They are here on most of Tiger. I'm sure you will see one here soon.
I was sitting one day (about mid-mountain) and watched one go up a tree. Then the Eastern saw something it didn't like. It froze and stayed there motionless for 30 minutes. I was surprised. After that, I tried to sneak up on it to shoot it but it quickly ran down and was gone as soon as It saw me.
I think some people from the towns have dumped them in the outlying areas. I know they do that with raccoons too. Makes keeping chickens a bit of a challenge.
I will say this though, as much as I don't like them, if we had a famine, some folks would not go hungry with all those Easterns running around.
Post by: pianoman9701 on January 29, 2013, 08:13:23 AM
Post by: bobcat on January 29, 2013, 08:20:13 AM
And maybe some ducks, although that can be very cold and extremely boring when they're not flying.
Post by: pianoman9701 on January 29, 2013, 08:21:57 AM
Grouse is what I would start a kid on. Crows are a lot of fun too!
And maybe some ducks, although that can be very cold and extremely boring when they're not flying.
Too bad. I was raised shooting red squirrels in NH and ME. It makes you a good shot and teaches you a lot about killing, skinning, and eating what you kill.
Post by: Russ McDonald on January 29, 2013, 08:23:34 AM
Post by: h20hunter on January 30, 2013, 07:40:23 AM
"Unfortunately hunting squirrels in the state of Washington is not legal, which is why they are not listed anywhere. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Region 4 Customer Service"
I would be curious to hear from OG on this.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 30, 2013, 07:56:19 AM
Post by: Bob33 on January 30, 2013, 08:14:41 AM
WAC 232-12-011: Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-011 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-011)
Post by: h20hunter on January 30, 2013, 08:18:31 AM
Post by: lokidog on January 30, 2013, 10:21:49 AM
Post by: Blacklab on January 31, 2013, 07:20:22 AM
Post by: Bob33 on January 31, 2013, 07:28:46 AM
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2017113840_eatingsquirrels29m.html (http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2017113840_eatingsquirrels29m.html)
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 31, 2013, 07:40:21 AM
Post by: Bob33 on January 31, 2013, 07:46:37 AM
Post by: lokidog on January 31, 2013, 09:44:43 AM
There are plenty of easterns; just need to know where to hunt them. ;)
It looks, to me, like you are good to go unless in one of the areas listed on the State's website as having western grays. Even if you hunted where both species are and could demonstrate, by coloration (easterns have brown undertones whereas it looks like westerns don't), that you only shot easterns, seems like it should be fine (although I still wouldn't probably hunt them in these areas).
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 31, 2013, 10:10:01 AM
Local News | Dinner gets very local for squirrel-eating Seattleite | Seattle Times Newspaper
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2017113840_eatingsquirrels29m.html (http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2017113840_eatingsquirrels29m.html)
Quote
And she believes she's the only person in Seattle harvesting squirrels for protein.
A bit myopic and vain.
Quote
She likes prime rib. But she can't eat it without a bad case of guilt.
Dear jeebus. it sounds like she has bigger problems than what to do with problem squirrels.
Quote
She demanded that her husband "repatriate" the cute critters. He'd trap and then release them at nearby Cowen Park.
Which is not legal to do (catch and release elsewhere, that is).
Quote
Herrera was reluctant to try it at first, but not Vorass. She grew up in northern Wisconsin where, she says, her mother was a deer poacher and local cuisine included porcupines.
So she's no stranger to violating game laws then?
Quote
"There could be lots of people doing things we don't know about," says Conlin of Seattleites pursuing their own food initiatives. "The most important thing is be respectful of your neighbors. I mean, don't trap their cats and eat them."
I guess that last one was for the Obamas.
The only worthwhile bit.
Quote
She checked with authorities. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife wrote back that homeowners are allowed to trap and euthanize animals causing property damage, including eastern gray squirrels.
Seattle doesn't regulate the trapping of animals on private property for personal consumption, according to Bryan Stevens, a city spokesman.
To be clear, trapping is fine (so long as you observe rules against body gripping traps), as is shooting with a pellet gun (check your local ordinances), for eastern gray squirrels, which are not a protected species. And no, property damage is not a condition precedent to allow trapping or shooting. For protected species, none of the above applies.