Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Barbaroja on December 16, 2020, 01:31:21 PM
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Hello everyone I love hunting squirrels. It’s great fun and they are darn good to eat. I have a small area in SW Washington (cowlitz) that I hunt them but I’m looking to branch out and find some new areas. Willing to travel pretty far to find some other areas that hold a decent population of them. As Washington doesn’t seem to have a lot of squirrel hunters I was hoping someone on the east side of the state might be able to point me to some likely areas. I’d be happy to swap location info with anyone looking to come to my neck of the woods to chase squirrels.
Thanks in advance.
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My neighbor’s backyard is infested with them. They feed them peanuts and the filthy rodents bury those in my yard, plant pots, gutters, etc. They get uber aggressive, chewing up deck railing, garden hoses, whatever they can get their teeth into.
I have noticed that some of them seem to die suddenly from small lead pellets passing through their bodies. :rolleyes:
Good for you for reducing their population.
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We have them too, if I find out what neighbor is feeding them truckloads of peanuts.....
One got in my duck stuff in the shed over the summer, man I dislike those rodents.
We were running a trap and relocate program, but got tired of that and it didn't seem to make any difference, like there was a vacuum created that would suck a new one in for every one removed.
Both neighbors pick them off with pellets and they just keep coming back.
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I got them running all over the place. There's one that looks like he swallowed a softball whole. Dang this thing is huge. We can't have bird feeders anymore. Despite all my best efforts, they got at them. Might be one or 2 of them stuffed into my crab pots next year. Worth a try I figure.
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Put a length of 3 or 4" stove pipe on your feeder post, they can't climb it. Unless they're coming in from above from roof tops, fences or tree limbs. Bushy tailed rats that breed continuously. :bash:
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I wish there were more of them in less inhabited areas to actually hunt. I grew up squirrel hunting and loved to do it. They are also quite tasty.
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We have them too, if I find out what neighbor is feeding them truckloads of peanuts.....
One got in my duck stuff in the shed over the summer, man I dislike those rodents.
We were running a trap and relocate program, but got tired of that and it didn't seem to make any difference, like there was a vacuum created that would suck a new one in for every one removed.
Both neighbors pick them off with pellets and they just keep coming back.
It is a virtual endless supply in suburbia. It's hard to keep fruit on the trees, even trying. Too bad a squirrel pole is illegal in WA.
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Cal Anderson Park. Just make sure you have the correct T-shirt on and you're good to go. :tup:
Seriously, the challenge is identifying the type of squirrel. The Eastern Grays are legal in Washington but there are also Western Grays, Douglas, Red, Northern Flying, and Eastern fox squirrels in Washington.
Good luck.
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I use this, 1 or 2 at a time guaranteed money. Come pick them up and you can relocate to your yard and blast away. :chuckle:
https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ranch-Products-100063928-Squirrelinator/dp/B0046VJ8RU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXsX8WB2tegIK53p7xxi5CjMZ7hBQpYeM0kA1HulmJoRfavEPzmg8dxoCzecQAvD_BwE&hvadid=410060304197&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9033354&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10711695761547447878&hvtargid=kwd-452180884073&hydadcr=321_1012854509&keywords=squirrelenator&qid=1608162571&sr=8-2&tag=googhydr-20
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I love any product that ends with "INATOR". That usually means that things are going to die. I'm a novice, all I gots is a small Have--No-Hart.
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They can't stay out, pretty crazy effective and all you need is a handful of sunflower seeds. It also can be used as a secondary cat attractant once you get a squirrel in there. I had to get a cat trap too, they were ripping up my garden and leaving presents. The squirrels get pretty rowdy, but the cats are on another level, especially if they are feral.
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The reason there are not a lot of squirrel hunters in WA is that populations of huntable squirrels are hard to find. All native squirrels are protected and the introduced ones are in mostly urban/suburban areas.
This map is old so its possible they have spread a little beyond this but this gives you an idea of where Eastern Grey squirrels are found.
(http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel_nm.jpg)
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There is also a population of Eastern fox squirrels but they have same problem with finding hunting opportunity.
(http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_fox_squirrel_nm.jpg)
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Cal Anderson Park. Just make sure you have the correct T-shirt on and you're good to go. :tup:
Seriously, the challenge is identifying the type of squirrel. The Eastern Grays are legal in Washington but there are also Western Grays, Douglas, Red, Northern Flying, and Eastern fox squirrels in Washington.
Good luck.
There is zero challenge identifying Eastern Grays... Is it gray? Is it not in the area the State shows for Western Gray populations? Yes to both of these and you are good to go.
:dunno:
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They are delicious!
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Too cute to shoot!
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I love any product that ends with "INATOR". That usually means that things are going to die. I'm a novice, all I gots is a small Have--No-Hart.
Has anyone seen Perry?
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I love any product that ends with "INATOR". That usually means that things are going to die. I'm a novice, all I gots is a small Have--No-Hart.
Has anyone seen Perry?
Thats what I thought to. :chuckle:
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The problem is the Eastern and the Western Gray exist in overlapping areas. Shoot a Western and your guilty of killing a protected species. I used to hunt around Fort Lewis for Eastern with a Red-Tailed Hawk. Had a great time until I had a conversation with a new Base Game Biologist. I had to admit that yes, I can tell the difference between the two, but not my hawk. Since I'm unable to "call off" my hawk if it decides to go after a Western, I was asked to no longer hunt any squirrels on base.
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My wife has some kind of huge squirrel hitting her bird feeder. Darn thing is the size of a rabbit.
She has been chucking rocks at it.
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The Easterns need to be shot.
Cute but they are ruthless nest raiders.
I've got a pretty good setup in Pierce for them but it is archery only.
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My wife has some kind of huge squirrel hitting her bird feeder. Darn thing is the size of a rabbit.
She has been chucking rocks at it.
probably Eastern Greys. If you're not in a firearm exclusion zone you might bag some with a silenced 22 if you can get a safe shot... the state doesn't allow airguns for hunting or I'd be tagging some in my urban back yard :chuckle:
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My wife has some kind of huge squirrel hitting her bird feeder. Darn thing is the size of a rabbit.
She has been chucking rocks at it.
probably Eastern Greys. If you're not in a firearm exclusion zone you might bag some with a silenced 22 if you can get a safe shot... the state doesn't allow airguns for hunting or I'd be tagging some in my urban back yard :chuckle:
Eliminating vermin isn’t hunting.
The city that you live in may have restrictions on air guns, but it isn’t a hunting violation. No different from plinking rats.
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They can't stay out, pretty crazy effective and all you need is a handful of sunflower seeds. It also can be used as a secondary cat attractant once you get a squirrel in there. I had to get a cat trap too, they were ripping up my garden and leaving presents. The squirrels get pretty rowdy, but the cats are on another level, especially if they are feral.
A question for the trappers, can you use that trap without a trapping license? Looks like a good option. In the lean winter months, or when the neighbors stop feeding them they chew through our plastic garbage cans in the neighborhood. A clear sign of overpopulation.
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My wife has some kind of huge squirrel hitting her bird feeder. Darn thing is the size of a rabbit.
She has been chucking rocks at it.
probably Eastern Greys. If you're not in a firearm exclusion zone you might bag some with a silenced 22 if you can get a safe shot... the state doesn't allow airguns for hunting or I'd be tagging some in my urban back yard :chuckle:
They recommend pellet rifles for rock dove (pigeon) control so I dont see why it would be different for other invasive species nuisance control.
"Shooting has been effective in eliminating small isolated groups of pigeons. For safety considerations, shooting is
generally limited to rural situations and is considered too hazardous in more populated areas, even if legal. Where
shooting is legal and safe, .22 CB caps work well, so does any semi high-powered pellet rifle with a pellet velocity
of 800 fps or more."
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/00628/wdfw00628.pdf
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They can't stay out, pretty crazy effective and all you need is a handful of sunflower seeds. It also can be used as a secondary cat attractant once you get a squirrel in there. I had to get a cat trap too, they were ripping up my garden and leaving presents. The squirrels get pretty rowdy, but the cats are on another level, especially if they are feral.
A question for the trappers, can you use that trap without a trapping license? Looks like a good option. In the lean winter months, or when the neighbors stop feeding them they chew through our plastic garbage cans in the neighborhood. A clear sign of overpopulation.
"Legal Status
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)."
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/tree-squirrels#
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Thanks! There goes my Mukilteo release site idea, I hear it's great habitat :chuckle:
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Read the RCW and WAC's. Pertains to release of most wildlife. Catch on your property, release on your property only.
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I got them running all over the place. There's one that looks like he swallowed a softball whole. Dang this thing is huge. We can't have bird feeders anymore. Despite all my best efforts, they got at them. Might be one or 2 of them stuffed into my crab pots next year. Worth a try I figure.
I know some commercial guys are using mink carcasses for bait. I’m sure that a eastern gray would work just as well.
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probably Eastern Greys. If you're not in a firearm exclusion zone you might bag some with a silenced 22 if you can get a safe shot... the state doesn't allow airguns for hunting or I'd be tagging some in my urban back yard :chuckle:
Just shoot a 22 from inside. No one will know.
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probably Eastern Greys. If you're not in a firearm exclusion zone you might bag some with a silenced 22 if you can get a safe shot... the state doesn't allow airguns for hunting or I'd be tagging some in my urban back yard :chuckle:
Just shoot a 22 from inside. No one will know.
CB shorts out of a rifle are as quiet as clapping hands....
The problem is the Eastern and the Western Gray exist in overlapping areas. Shoot a Western and your guilty of killing a protected species. I used to hunt around Fort Lewis for Eastern with a Red-Tailed Hawk. Had a great time until I had a conversation with a new Base Game Biologist. I had to admit that yes, I can tell the difference between the two, but not my hawk. Since I'm unable to "call off" my hawk if it decides to go after a Western, I was asked to no longer hunt any squirrels on base.
They hardly exist in "overlapping areas", just don't shoot them in an area that the state has them listed on their web site.
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Also, whoever is thinking about using them for crab bait, slow cook with veggies, puree them and veggies and serve on crackers, delicious!
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Pretty good in the crock pot, shredded and mixed with BBQ sauce too!
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Get a squirrelinator trap, they can’t stay out and then you can do whatever you want with them.
I have one if anyone around me needs to borrow it. Guarantee it will get one on day 1 or your money back.
Shooting them is fun too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Simple colony trap works well on them.
(https://scontent.fhio2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/134477529_10218330890804479_5855564916507885046_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=K-VVLQaVLRkAX_E58Ib&_nc_ht=scontent.fhio2-2.fna&oh=64ca5fe8befb5d3b05125d3b62a1a443&oe=60169A18)
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We have them too, if I find out what neighbor is feeding them truckloads of peanuts.....
One got in my duck stuff in the shed over the summer, man I dislike those rodents.
We were running a trap and relocate program, but got tired of that and it didn't seem to make any difference, like there was a vacuum created that would suck a new one in for every one removed.
Both neighbors pick them off with pellets and they just keep coming back.
I have a live trap, what bait do you use?
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We have them too, if I find out what neighbor is feeding them truckloads of peanuts.....
One got in my duck stuff in the shed over the summer, man I dislike those rodents.
We were running a trap and relocate program, but got tired of that and it didn't seem to make any difference, like there was a vacuum created that would suck a new one in for every one removed.
Both neighbors pick them off with pellets and they just keep coming back.
I have a live trap, what bait do you use?
Cant hardly keep them out of bird feeders but bulk unsalted peanuts are what I use.
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They can't resist peanut butter.
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Just took one off the bird feeder with the blowgun. It was a bloodbath!
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Just took one off the bird feeder with the blowgun. It was a bloodbath!
That's impressive I bet you were stoked.
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I am not 100% positive but I found that all squirrels areprotected in the state and there is no hunting season for them. Looked over the regs and nothing.
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
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I am not 100% positive but I found that all squirrels areprotected in the state and there is no hunting season for them. Looked over the regs and nothing.
Eastern Grey and Eastern Fox are considered unclassified game.
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Yep Eastern are not native therefore not protected
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I am not 100% positive but I found that all squirrels areprotected in the state and there is no hunting season for them. Looked over the regs and nothing.
Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
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. ... However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.
Living with wildlife: Tree squirrels | Washington Department of ...
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Just took one off the bird feeder with the blowgun. It was a bloodbath!
That's impressive I bet you were stoked.
I don't know about impressive. Kain shooting carp with a blowgun is impressive. But I was stoked! :chuckle:
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Sling shot is a good option. :tup:
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There seems to be no end to them.
They just keep coming.
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Hot legs!!! Highly recommend! Very easy recipe...
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Few game are funner to chase with a good redtail hawk than a gray squirrel.
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Few game are funner to chase with a good redtail hawk than a gray squirrel.
:tup:
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I'm weak. I can't bring myself to kill some of them as I've named them now. My favorite is "Adidas". He's huge and has almost snow white feet. It looks like he's wearing tennis shoes.
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Squirrel populations are growing fast on the westside . I see them just about everywhere I go and hunt but its not like back east where you have thousands and can go sit under the hardwoods and shoot as many as you want . I notice a lot more black phase ones now . just have to make sure your not shooting the western grey squirrel thinking its a Eastern grey squirrel , best info I can give on that is that the Western grey is more Silverish grey / brighter in color and more brownish around the eyes . when I was growing up in PA squirrel hunting was my #1 thing . I sure miss those cat size Fox squirrels . Its about time to return to PA next year for some whitetail and squirrel hunting .. last time I was home there where millions since no one hunts them anymore ! :yike:
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Squirrel populations are growing fast on the westside . I see them just about everywhere I go and hunt but its not like back east where you have thousands and can go sit under the hardwoods and shoot as many as you want . I notice a lot more black phase ones now . just have to make sure your not shooting the western grey squirrel thinking its a Eastern grey squirrel , best info I can give on that is that the Western grey is more Silverish grey / brighter in color and more brownish around the eyes . when I was growing up in PA squirrel hunting was my #1 thing . I sure miss those cat size Fox squirrels . Its about time to return to PA next year for some whitetail and squirrel hunting .. last time I was home there where millions since no one hunts them anymore ! :yike:
There should be no confusion between Eastern and Western, don't hunt in the map location that the State's website shows where the Western's live. Out of those locations, any gray squirrel is fair game.
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lokidog, have you been working on the squirrel population in Sconny? Looks like you're in squirrel paradise.
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lokidog, have you been working on the squirrel population in Sconny? Looks like you're in squirrel paradise.
:chuckle:
I did shoot one when I was back there in September. Also saw an albino one that I decided to give a pass this year. Next year he will go on the wall, if I see him.
I'm still mostly hanging here in WA, at least until next summer, but possibly longer.
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lokidog, have you been working on the squirrel population in Sconny? Looks like you're in squirrel paradise.
:chuckle:
I did shoot one when I was back there in September. Also saw an albino one that I decided to give a pass this year. Next year he will go on the wall, if I see him.
I'm still mostly hanging here in WA, at least until next summer, but possibly longer.
My pops lives in Prairie Farm. Went back a few years ago in September and had a blast.
I'll bet the TSA folks hadn't seen too many frozen squirrel carcasses in a carry-on! :chuckle:
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lokidog, have you been working on the squirrel population in Sconny? Looks like you're in squirrel paradise.
:chuckle:
I did shoot one when I was back there in September. Also saw an albino one that I decided to give a pass this year. Next year he will go on the wall, if I see him.
I'm still mostly hanging here in WA, at least until next summer, but possibly longer.
My pops lives in Prairie Farm. Went back a few years ago in September and had a blast.
I'll bet the TSA folks hadn't seen too many frozen squirrel carcasses in a carry-on! :chuckle:
I flew cross country once with a small carry on cooler full of rabbit carcasses. The x-ray guy looks at me as it goes through like WHaaaat?, I just said Cats.... :chuckle:
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The reason there are not a lot of squirrel hunters in WA is that populations of huntable squirrels are hard to find. All native squirrels are protected and the introduced ones are in mostly urban/suburban areas.
This map is old so its possible they have spread a little beyond this but this gives you an idea of where Eastern Grey squirrels are found.
(http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/maps/wa/mammals/WA_eastern_gray_squirrel_nm.jpg)
Agreed. Map is kinda ok but they've opened up to more areas. Unfortunately they're mostly near urban areas. In most areas north of Tacoma there are no Western grays.
Once they chew a hole to get into your attic or crawl space it actually becomes total combat. It took me 2 years to get them in check. Just too damn many when it started.
I don't eat them but the owls, Coyotes, coons, possums and bobcats gobble em up like a Thanksgiving dinner.
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That map is not even close to being accurate....