Gray squirrel hunting in OR

[Fishsniffer]

Come to Portland there are between 4 and 8 million non-native invasive squirrels in town by my reckoning. Not exactly hunting though, pest control. Does keep your skills sharp though. Of course everyone must follow laws, before someone body here complains.

Same with Eugene, Corvallis. I was thinking about a blowgun. We used to get them out of the barracks windows back in Virginia and the Carolinas. I've seen one with a fishing rod and lite line hooked up so you can reel them in!

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Same with Eugene, Corvallis. I was thinking about a blowgun. We used to get them out of the barracks windows back in Virginia and the Carolinas. I've seen on with a fishing rod and lite line hooked up so you can reel them in!

A ranch I worked on we had woodrats living in the bunkhouse crawl space. We used to 'fish' for 'em!

 

[Rusto]

Getting into hunting here in OR, and figured id try squirrel shooting. I was wondering why the regs specify that unit 30 south of the Rogue River has no closed season and no limit on western Gray squirrels. All other units have a season and small limit of 3 squirrels. Is unit 30 overrun the critters? Anyone know?

What does squirrel taste like? Typical gamey? And how can you tell they're gay? Edit: oops. didn't have my readers on!

 

[Fishsniffer]

Squirrel tastes like steak bites if it's prepared properly. Areas in unit 30 are overrun. I've read that male squirrel will chew the testes off younger squirrel but that's more about preserving their blood line rather than being gay! Same as a bruin but they just kill younger male bear.

PS: you're going to have better luck with brush rabbit. They're everywhere and every bit as good.

 

[Rusto]

Squirrel tastes like steak bites if it's prepared properly. Areas in unit 30 are overrun. I've read that male squirrel will chew the testes off younger squirrel but that's more about preserving their blood line rather than being gay! Same as a bruin.

PS: you're going to have better luck with brush rabbit. They're everywhere and every bit as good.

Very interesting. Thanks for the reply

 

[MannyGlocks]

ilikeg,

"Come to Portland there are between 4 and 8 million non-native invasive squirrels in town by my reckoning."

Do you name what species they are and how they came to be there?

I'm guessing - foreign cargo ships...?

 

[ilikegunspdx]

ilikeg,

"Come to Portland there are between 4 and 8 million non-native invasive squirrels in town by my reckoning."

Do you name what species they are and how they came to be there?

I'm guessing - foreign cargo ships...?

No they were planted by idiotic ODFW in 1911 I think it was. Fox squirrel and eastern Grey squirrel. Eastern greys are small and scrawny compared to the native western grey squirrel.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Oops it was 1918.

"
Eastern gray squirrels
(
Sciuruscarolinensis
) were introduced to Oregon around 1918, with initial plantings recorded on the Capitol grounds in Salem. While not explicitly cited as a specific Portland planting date, they spread throughout Western Oregon, including the Portland metro area, in the following decades. Additionally, non-native Eastern fox squirrels were introduced to the state and are now common in Portland.
Key details regarding squirrels in Portland:

• Introduction: The 1918 Salem introduction of Eastern gray squirrels is the primary known source for the species in the region.
• Spread: They have spread throughout Western Oregon, often replacing native squirrel populations.
• Other Species: The Eastern fox squirrel is another common, non-native, introduced species in Portland.
• Native Species: The Western gray squirrel is native to Oregon, but is distinct from the introduced Eastern species."

 

[MannyGlocks]

ilikeg,

Thanks for the info!