Grey Squirrels

[Bushdoctor]

I heard recently that the government are about to make funding available to land owners willing to agree to controlling grey squirrels on their land and also to any of their neighbours who
are willing to cooperate. As I understand it any method of control is to be permitted as long as it is legal and humane. Could this be a job for air gunners. Has anyone else heard anything
about it.

[TheDaddy187]

i was under the impression that squirrels were fair game already... just not allowed to use arrows or bolts to hunt as that illegal in the uk and you have the land owners permission...

rats, squirrel and pigeon are any season hunting

[ian c]

It would be great if it happens.

[bopdude]

Paid to hunt food ................. bring it.

[Valantine]

i was under the impression that squirrels were fair game already... just not allowed to use arrows or bolts to hunt as that illegal in the uk and you have the land owners permission...

rats, squirrel and pigeon are any season hunting


I think you will find that hunting with a BOW is illegal but the use of arrows is not.
Also Muntjak deer have no close season if you are able to hunt on land which have them. (invasive species just like grey squirrels)

[midas]

We used to get free cartridges for rabbit control.after the war.
Dont forget Chinese water deer.too.
There are some strange rule n regs.My Cross bow not only fires bolts but steel ball bearings.(legal for wild boar on estates on France.)
Wonder if anyone has ever tested the "waters" with a "catapult" propeled arrow.with blunt heads.rather than Broadheads.????
Squirrels were hunted for the pot n market,by hunters with foot long weighted headed, throwing sticks.

[beermaker]

squirrels are yummy, as are rabbits and pigeons! Unfortunately all three are a bit lean at the moment on my permissions but hopefully that will change soon enough :)

[Valantine]

They are also few and far between round my area too, I have been out recently scouting new areas but the signs are limited :(
And yes people do use "SLINGBOW's" and some also use two piece arrows for portability.

[Bushdoctor]

Squirrels have always been fair game but this is the first time that any funding has been made available to control them,i remember(just)free cartridges for rabbits but never anything for squirrels,as a boy
I used to get one penny(old money) per tail for rats from local farmers which kept me in airgun pellets. Fortunately for me squirrels are plentiful on my patch although rabbits are a bit scarce. perhaps if
funding is available it will become a bit easier for people to gain shooting permissions.As for pigeons there are rules under the "General license" for details go to www.basc.org.

[Valantine]

The link above goes to a page called "buydomains.com" I hope this is not advertising :confused:
The correct link is --> http://basc.org.uk/shooting/pest-and-predator-control/

[midas]

On reflection and much thought this isnt new!!
In the 1950's we got 6d(2.5p)rising I think to 1/-(5p)for each grey squirrel tail handed in to The Ministry of AG n FISH.
We had some long poles for poking out the dreys.
On doing some googleing,there was also a bounty offered (£1 per tail) by a Welsh Wildlife Trust in 1999.which i believe did not meet public approval so frighteng off the Trust.etc.

PS.Scheme was introdused in 1932,and abandoned in 1957,because it was abused.

[happybonzo]

Shame there isn't a concerted eradication programme for Mink...

[midas]

Shame there isn't a concerted eradication programme for Mink...

Possibly due to fur coats n wraps,not been "PC" anymore??There is less incentive??
I wouldnt mind running a trapline..if we had them in my area.

Fancy a mink douve cover.lol...........

[Bushdoctor]

I was not advertising I have never heard of buydomains.com. The link was correct and should have taken you to the home page of British association for shooting and conservation the UKs biggest and leading shooting
organisation of which ALL shooters should be members. As well as the excellent insurance cover which in my experience carries a lot of weight with farmers and land owners when requesting permission to
shoot, there are many other benefits which come with membership including having a voice in westminster to protect your right to shoot by challenging unfair legislation. In my opinion any shooter who does
not or will not join basc or one of the smaller associated organisations does not deserve to shoot. (This is not advertising either its just my opinion).

[INQUISITORSWRATH]

I was not advertising I have never heard of buydomains.com. The link was correct and should have taken you to the home page of British association for shooting and conservation the UKs biggest and leading shooting
organisation of which ALL shooters should be members. As well as the excellent insurance cover which in my experience carries a lot of weight with farmers and land owners when requesting permission to
shoot, there are many other benefits which come with membership including having a voice in westminster to protect your right to shoot by challenging unfair legislation. In my opinion any shooter who does
not or will not join basc or one of the smaller associated organisations does not deserve to shoot. (This is not advertising either its just my opinion).

very helpful link, thanks

[tds123]

I can't wait until the end of march when I will have transport again so that I can go squirrel thumping, the only way that the repopulation of our native red is going to be successful is by a major reduction, if not eradication of the grey!

[midas]

I can't wait until the end of march when I will have transport again so that I can go squirrel thumping, the only way that the repopulation of our native red is going to be successful is by a major reduction, if not eradication of the grey!
The Tree rats make quite good eating too."POPCORN Squirrel"Dusted n deep fried.yum.
Must be the "Redneck in me coming out.
shame we aint got Possom.hear the stews quite good too!!

[tds123]

Your right, bloody good eating mate! My Mrs can't eat them though, she's allergic to nuts! Lol

[midas]

Your right, bloody good eating mate! My Mrs can't eat them though, she's allergic to nuts! Lol
LOl tim ,can't you trim em off."they are in the little bag by the back legs or only shoot lady squirrels.LOL

[Bushdoctor]

grey squirrels are at least as good as rabbits to eat if not better but are tough to skin. I find them easier if you skin them while they are still warm. Quite right we need to get rid of the greys to give the reds
a chance but we all need to play our part by waging total war on the greys. Perhaps this is an argument which can be used to persuade farmers and land owners to give us permission to shoot.