Thieving

[Faulkner]

My wife has been complaining that several fox squirrels living in a patch of woods on our place have been venturing up to the house and stealing from the bird feeders and chasing off all the birds that she likes to photograph. I told her that they probably needed thinning out and I'd handle it, but no, she didn't want me to kill 'em because she likes watching them too. She just doesn't want them in bird feeders.

So, to keep the squirrels away from the house I made up a couple of squirrel feeders and mounted them on trees on the edge of the woods about a hundred yards from the house. Surprisingly, it actually worked and they stay away from the house . . . until they empty the squirrel feeders.

This morning I got up to put another log on the fire around 6:30 am and when I looked out the window there was one of those pesky fox squirrels on the bird feeder. I was just about to go fetch a .22 rifle when I remembered we let our border collie, Champ the Wonder Dog, sleep in the garage last night because of the sub freezing temps. I brought Champ to the front door, eased it open and let her out on the front porch and she immediately saw the offending squirrel and within a nano-second the chase was on.

Too bad I didn't have a video camera because it was nip and tuck for that squirrel for a few moments but after dodging and ducking down my tree lined driveway it finally made it back to it's own turf in the woods and made a bee line up the top of a hickory tree. I did have my DSLR and snapped a few shots of the chase.

Maybe Champ the Wonder Dog will help keep them at bay for a while, otherwise I see a mess of pan fried squirrel, mashed potatoes & gravy, and biscuits in my future.

 

[16thVACav]

Good girl!

 

[Stevens]

They used to raid my orange trees, along with racoons and possums, this low electric fence keeps them out. It is supposedly "pet safe" as long as you don't have pet squirrels I guess, it also killed a Mockingbird a couple of years ago. It has zapped my father in law and my wife too, didn't kill them though.
I don't know why ths guy was stealing oranges looks like he had plenty of nuts!

 

[the ringo kid]

That squirrel reminds me of my thieving cat, Shasta. I tried feeding a stray kitten a piece of turkey yesterday and hadn't noticed I left the front door ajar and Shasta had come out. Just as the kitten approached the meatt, Shasta grabbed it whilst faying at the kitten. It was really comical to watch, but Shasta didn't see me toss that kitten an even bigger piece of turkey. Had she seen that? I'da been done for.

 

[PatriotX]

I really dig this pic. Thanks for sharing !

 

[JSR III]

First you skin.

Then saute in a pan over medium heat with virgin olive oil, and a little dried basil.

Lightly brown to keep moist. Serve with a small green salad over a bed of brown rice.

Bon appetit!!

 

[ben_g1]

What worked for me.

I had a bonsai tree hobby and those tree rats would climb over them and break branches that had taken years to train.

After trying different stuff that ranged from killing them (new ones would just move in) to scaring them (dog and firecrackers).

I used a pump up pellet hand gun. Just 2-3 pumps, enough to really sting them not kill. It's like word has gotten out and they avoided my yard like the plague. In fact if they wanted to go from one neighbors yard to the next, they would use the power poles/lines. Would not set foot in my yard.

I have since moved but kind of miss plinking at them, what fun.

 

[PatriotX]

Squirrel Gravy

Brown the meat in bacon grease until edges just start to crisp.

Add 1/3 cup flour, salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes while constantly whisking.

Turn down heat,slowly add 1 1/2 cups milk. Cook until gravy thickens.

Serve over your favorite biscuit, preferably Drop Biscuits.

 

[Iggy]

I had a problem with squirrels until I bought a powerful air pistol.

Ain't seen one since it arrived.

I knew antelope could read hunting orders and move across area borders, but I din't know squirrels communicated with Fed Ex drivers.

 

[W.E.G.]

I loves me some canine squirrel police.

 

[steelslaver]

LOL, I need to give get a garbage can with some kind of latching lid. I put cracked corn out for the pheasants and grouse I don't mind that the deer get some, but I see tracks and evidence they are going on nto the carport and helping themselves.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Well.....I don't have a Mrs. any more of telling me that I can't shoot out the patio door at the tree rats...so I've got one more to go...They were digging up the yard more than getting into the feeder.

In my neck of the woods, they're (pun) "fair game".

This time of the year, as far as eating them????? I know this time of the year, rabbits are off limits, because of rabbit fever.

WuzzFuzz

 

[Faulkner]

I thought dead of winter was the time to eat rabbits.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

tularemia Facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about tularemia

This was drummed into me as a kid, about shooting and eating rabbits and squirrels...We'd try to do our shooting the first part of the fall season, rather than later on into the winter months.

It's not something a person hears about much any more. But for me, I don't have to rely on rabbits or squirrels for my main source of meat anymore.

I take to the rabbits and squirrels for what they are...Rodents...same goes for the beaver in back in the creek from time to time.


WuzzFuzz

 

[vonn]

Good luck on trying to control the squirrels! They wiped out most of my pecan crop this past year and for everyone I eliminated two more moved in! The only thing they don't eat are rocks!

 

[JcMack]

I got 3 suet feeders and 1 big bird feeder hanging from a tree out back. The squirrels gave up on the suet feeders but keeping them out of the seed feeder has become a battle of wills. They can jump about 7 feet straight up to get a hold on the seed feeder so it had to be moved further up. Then I put a baffle on the chain holding the feeder and I still catch one on the feeder sometimes. The feeder hangs from a chain drectly in front of my steel shed. I been popping at the squirrels with a Sheridan Silver streak 20 cal. for weeks. The other day I was inn the shed and noticed the sun streaming thru about 20 20 cal holes in it. I bought a .177 Crossman gas rifle and managed to kill the bird feeder pretty good. The squirrels are wise to the fact that when they see the back door start to open it's time to take off. 5 degrees here this morning so I've got to get more seed.

 

[jlrhiner]

First, make a roux.......

 

[Radco]

Great pics . Love the pic of the dog in action

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Well, I guess you cannot have your squirrel without feeding it too!

 

[6518John]

Squirrel Unlimted

And most think it's just for ducks! SqU is a much more elite organization.