Red Squirrel ?

[Fenian]

Hey all,

Been clearing out a bunch of greys and noticed a red squirrel this morning, first time seeing one around here. What is the deal with the American Red Squirrel? Are they considered also a pest and vermin you’ll want rid of, or should we leave them be to combat the grey population?

I know in Europe at least you wouldn’t kill a red, only greys, but the European red isn’t the same as the American red. Just wanted some input

 

[RobR]

My experience living in upstate New York is that red squirrels are far more destructive of property than greys. I’ve also read that they are carnivores and will kill and steal nest sights from birds. A coworker of mine claims to have watched a red castrate a grey with his teeth while he was out bow hunting. My personal opinion of the two is that if our politicians continue their path and we’re stuck eating squirrel to survive I’d rather have greys over reds. Reds are impressive in color and agility though, tree weasels as I’ve called them before.

I hadn’t been seeing as many as I had during my youth and had been giving them a pass until recently. I usually only see them in and around pine trees.

 

[Guest]

If you are in Massachusetts they are pests. 12 month season where legal to shoot. They are the absolute worst thing to have around your property.

Shoot Shovel Shut Up

Mitch

 

[RWSx3]

Reds are destructive! If they choose to get into a wood sided building, they will chew their way through. Even had a pair get down the soil pipe vent at our camp one year sometime after winterizing...they couldn't navigate the RV antifreeze in the toilet traps though....thank goodness for that! But finding them in the spring... it did initially make us wonder WHAT did we eat last fall?  

 

[L.Leon]

In NYS grey squirrels are protected and have a season. Red squirrels are considered pests and can be taken at any time. Hunting license required though.

 

[Caveatspectator]

They sure are. They have chewed into the walls of my house in the past. They have chewed holes all over my sheds. Then they put literally thousands of black walnuts in the sheds. I've been in my current house for 23 years. We never had a red squirrel problem until about 10 years ago. 

They are quick and rarely sit still. I used to live-trap them and drop them off a few miles away but new ones always took over within days. I just started shooting them a few weeks ago. A .22 cal pellet takes them out easily and they die instantly or quickly.

 

[Wayne52]

I shoot them year round here in Michigan, they're about the only squirrels that I'll shoot in my yard too, the only other thing I shoot in my yard are the ground hogs. My neighbor was complaining about them getting in his garage, I showed him right where they're getting in, they've made a hole just under the eaves of his garage.