Post by: ljsommer on January 04, 2019, 11:32:14 AM
So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.
Post by: Knocker of rocks on January 04, 2019, 11:39:45 AM
Post by: ljsommer on January 04, 2019, 11:45:10 AM
From the article:
"Eastern gray squirrels are mid-sized, with relatively narrow tails and short ears compared to western gray squirrels. They have a pale gray coat with a reddish-brown wash on the face, back, and tail. Their underparts are creamy white. Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced into Washington in 1925. ***They are now common in many cities, and thrive in developed areas.*** When hunting this species, special care should be taken to distinguish between it and the similar western gray squirrel."
I am suggesting that they aren't actually in the woods at all and are instead congregated in the surrounding developed areas.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 04, 2019, 11:45:19 AM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on January 04, 2019, 12:37:41 PM
Post by: JakeLand on January 04, 2019, 01:12:05 PM
Post by: The Marquis on January 04, 2019, 01:44:02 PM
A VAST majority of the Eastern Grays are in or near developed areas. You may find them in the "woods" that are in these areas. State land surrounded by semi-suburban type rural areas (like close-in farms and such). I have them all over my yard and pick em off with a pellet gun and fry em up.
As others have said, most squirrels in the "woods" like Douglas, Golden Mantle (both of which are ABUNDANT in some areas) are protected and honestly, just too small to make any decent use of.
Post by: smithkl42 on January 04, 2019, 04:28:03 PM
If you can find 'em on the ground, they're fun to hunt. My boys have gotten several with their bows.
Post by: Duck_Lover on January 04, 2019, 07:11:32 PM
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Post by: optic2 on January 05, 2019, 10:49:18 AM
So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.
So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.
Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.
Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).
Post by: Axle on January 05, 2019, 11:36:52 AM
And they are real good at hiding when you go by! I have had a couple on cams up the hill.
I've only seen one western gray in all my years here on the wet side. They are much larger.
I wish we had the larger fox squirrel around here instead. It would make skinning worth eating it due to the size. The eastern grays are quite small. And annoying! I wish they weren't here.
Post by: JakeLand on January 06, 2019, 01:33:10 PM
So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.There’s eastern greys up hwy 2 . They’re spreading like coyotes
So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.
Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.
Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).
Post by: optic2 on January 08, 2019, 10:31:06 AM
So I have a friendly debate going on with my hunting partner. He insists that there are squirrels in all woods, and wants to go squirrel hunting. I said that there aren't in fact any squirrels in our GMU woods, and I know that since I've spent so many hours looking for them and I have thousands and thousands of hours of game cam footage with zero squirrels (but every other living thing under the sun) on cam.
So, is it universal that there are squirrels in western WA forests? I am thinking no. Chipmunks sure, squirrels I am not convinced.
How far up hwy 2?
There’s eastern greys up hwy 2 . They’re spreading like coyotes
Eastern greys only live west of highway 203 (the one that connects Snoqualmie, Fall City, Duvall). Problem is you can't shoot a gun west of the 203. Get good with a slingshot. What you see at higher elevation is the Douglas squirrel which is against the law to hunt.
Here is a distribution map of them (http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel.html).
Post by: The Marquis on January 08, 2019, 12:10:16 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/
Shooters are Eastern Gray, Eastern Fox, and the California Ground Squirrel. As you can see, not a lot of places with public land where these are.