Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Loki_762 on March 20, 2016, 10:07:36 PM

Title: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Loki_762 on March 20, 2016, 10:07:36 PM: I am heading over to Ellensburg next weekend to celebrate Easter with the in-laws, and I am thinking about taking my .204 along with me to hit some squirrel spots. I have heard that they are beginning to pop up - is it worth it to bring the gun along, just in case? Or should I just give them a few more weeks and go back in April, when the weather is a little better?
Thanks,
Chris
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Bango skank on March 20, 2016, 10:14:22 PM: It seems early but theyre out here already when the sun is shining. Saw my first whistle pig of the year about two weeks ago. A few of em set up shop in my back yard last summer about 15 yards from the house. It didnt work out too well for them.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Simcoe hunter on March 20, 2016, 10:39:24 PM: Grey diggers are up and at 'em here in Klickitat county. Time for a smack down.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Trapper John on March 26, 2016, 10:34:21 PM: Quote from: Loki_762 on March 20, 2016, 10:07:36 PM
I am heading over to Ellensburg next weekend to celebrate Easter with the in-laws, and I am thinking about taking my .204 along with me to hit some squirrel spots. I have heard that they are beginning to pop up - is it worth it to bring the gun along, just in case? Or should I just give them a few more weeks and go back in April, when the weather is a little better?
Thanks,
Chris

Is it worth it ???? ,........... Ya ...........grab the tack driver, their out
JC. :hello:
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: jdb on March 27, 2016, 06:14:53 AM: I've been killing them for about a month now
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: wence5 on April 21, 2016, 03:43:44 PM: Quote from: Simcoe hunter on March 20, 2016, 10:39:24 PM
Grey diggers are up and at 'em here in Klickitat county. Time for a smack down.

Was up at Stinson flats and back toward Glenwood west of Leidl Park on the old Company road on Monday. Not too good, only killed a handful. Didn't see any rattlers this time. Almost stepped on one up there a couple years ago. Any better spots up in that area, maybe toward Goldendale?
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: ejwright on April 23, 2016, 10:27:40 PM: They are up! I got this old guy with the beat up ears this past weekend.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Chukar on April 23, 2016, 10:38:05 PM: That's a Columbia GS. Dunno if you can whack those.
I know you can't fire on these ones...they are the Yakima/Grant county sort. Know your target and don't post shots of killed protected species. Just a heads up.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: ejwright on April 23, 2016, 11:10:14 PM: I talked to a couple of game wardens before because I didn't know. I referenced the road and exact location I saw them.The male game warden knew about the critters he said "you can kill those." However he never said the exact species but these Columbians are all over that area and I still looked around online to satisfy my curiousity and I came to the conclusion they have to be considered "unclassified" as they are non washington native and not a game species.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Eric M on April 23, 2016, 11:38:08 PM: They are thick in Oregon now but the alfalfa is getting tall already.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Chukar on April 24, 2016, 08:03:05 AM: Columbias are not on the list of protected species however...They are a naturally occurring species. 100% native.
They are considered "non classified".
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: Katmai Guy on April 24, 2016, 09:07:23 AM: Not to hijack, but how about woodchucks? I can't find anything either way on hunting those.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: ejwright on April 24, 2016, 09:35:50 AM: Man, I was a little bit spooked for second haha, I thought they were from idaho and Montana. I'm pretty sure they are protected in idaho, not 100 percent though.
Title: Re: Ground squirrels up?
Post by: ejwright on April 24, 2016, 02:22:44 PM: It seems if there isn't a lot of info on them they end up in the unclassified or non-classified realm but I think it would be wise to call a game warden and ask for info. I have had tons of help from them!!! They have always been super friendly to me even if they are eyeballing my license and tags!