View Full Version : Bounty on Grey squirrels ahead?
I can't imagine it would ever eradicate the problem but one Scottish MSP is calling for bounties to be paid in an attempt to protect the red squirrel population.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5069276.stm
pothunter
12-06-2006, 12:51
Start collecting tails from road kill now, stick em in the freezer!
ilovemybed
12-06-2006, 13:10
Start collecting tails from road kill now, stick em in the freezer!
You are a genius!!!!!
You are a genius!!!!!
I bet he's not married though.........Whats this in my freezer :twak: ................Jon
ArkAngel
12-06-2006, 13:41
It'll be intersting to see if it goes ahead. They were talking of something similar in the lake district a few years back to let the reds get a stronger foothold but nothing ever came of it.
I think it was something to do with what they classed as 'qualified' people and how it would be organised and policed. The animal protection lobbys also had a lot to say on the matter as is the case now, even though IMHO the reds are much cuter, less destructive and deserve the chance to survive in their native country.
Angus Og
12-06-2006, 13:49
It's just been reported on BBC Scotland that the MSP is talking about a bounty of £3-4 a head.
Some serious money could be made here. :)
What's to stop someone trapping any squirrel and just keeping the grey tails? :confused:
gregorach
12-06-2006, 14:18
Regardless of the merits of the idea, it'll never fly. Remember the outrage from the sentimentalists when the idea of culling the hedgehogs on the Western Isles was proposed? The ecological argument seemed much more clear-cut there too... People just squeeled "But they're so cute!" and that was the end of it.
I like advocates for Animals quote about culling Grey Squirrells, "This is little more than ethnic cleansing." :lmao:
andy_scouser
12-06-2006, 15:08
I hope this goes ahead, and I also hope that the proper tool is used, in this case a rifle!
Traps/snares are indiscriminate about colour of fur ;) and should therefore not be used. We had reds in our back garden up until 3 years ago, now i shoot the greys on sight, but I haven't made that much of an impact... the greys must breed like rabbits!
Grey squirrels by the way, eat the kernel of the nuts therefore the ones that the grey loses never grow into trees, unlike the red squirrel which buries the nut in tact. The grey squirrel carries disease too.
Well, I saw a programme which AFAIK was recorded in the new forest. They had some device for feeding red squirrels. It was a platform up a tree which the squirrel had to be on to get the food. It was a trapdoor that would only hold the weight of a red squirrel, which are absolutely beautiful IMO. The tree rat is too heavy and falls through the trapdoor!! Maybe some punji sticks could be put underneath the trapdoor?!!
All joking aside, tree rats aren't native to this country, same as that crayfish that must be destroyed if caught. Just because they are furry shouldn't preclude them from being culled, they are pushing cute squirrel out of its natural enviornment, and once they leave they don't return. I would like to see it done humanely of course, and squirrel burgers to be made available for purchase at the woodlore site!
ilovemybed
12-06-2006, 16:45
Well, I saw a programme which AFAIK was recorded in the new forest. They had some device for feeding red squirrels. It was a platform up a tree which the squirrel had to be on to get the food. It was a trapdoor that would only hold the weight of a red squirrel, which are absolutely beautiful IMO. The tree rat is too heavy and falls through the trapdoor!! Maybe some punji sticks could be put underneath the trapdoor?!!
The folks from Woodsmoke were telling a few of us that the gamekeeper on the estate they use had tried these, but then he realised it was just more satisfying to adjust the spring so the greys didn't set the trap off, then sit and wait so that he could take them out with his .410 while they were munching away... :AR15firin
I like advocates for Animals quote about culling Grey Squirrells, "This is little more than ethnic cleansing." :lmao: :rolleyes: What an idiot that bloke is.I think its a wonderfull and a must do idea myself and about time too!
I could never understand what people had against grey squirrels. So they're not native and are marginally less cute than reds, but so what? You can't turn back time and stop them coming here.
A couple of days ago I read in the newspaper that in areas where greys are present in large numbers 93% of birds nests get raided. I had no idea they ate eggs. It's changed my opinion of them. Maybe they had an input in the demise of the sparrow (though that's pure speculation).
I could never understand what people had against grey squirrels. So they're not native and are marginally less cute than reds, but so what? You can't turn back time and stop them coming here.
A couple of days ago I read in the newspaper that in areas where greys are present in large numbers 93% of birds nests get raided. I had no idea they ate eggs. It's changed my opinion of them. Maybe they had an input in the demise of the sparrow (though that's pure speculation).Thats not all,they dont just eat the engs,they eat the hatchlings too!they allso ring trees/saplings and thus kill trees that way.All this because some prize rich pillock liked them as a fancy! Another perfect example of man messing up the enviroment for native creatures and plants by intoducing non native species,see Rabbit and cane toads down under being another!
I can't see anyone being able to get rid of them, but they could have their numbers controlled like with rats. I find it unbelievable that ONLY 93% of nests get raided if grey squirrels really do eat eggs. The way that squirrels move around in trees, and with the size of them and their teeth, must often eat every single egg.
Does anyone know how the birds in the USA cope? Do grey squirrels have predators there?
wingstoo
12-06-2006, 18:59
I am sure that I was told that many years ago that there was a bounty on Tree rat tails, but nowhere near the above stated amounts, and they make nice pies and curry as well... sounds a good idea to get paid to eat them...real bonus...
LS
benjamin.oneill
13-06-2006, 00:48
if its £3-4 in scotland I'll happily sell our scottish members mine for £1.50-2 letting you double up!! I think if this did go ahead I could see myself investing in a nice little 28guage, perfect for the job.
Ben
The main danger to all this is the now peaceful highlands will start filling up with untrained inexperienced nutters with guns out to make a quick quid or two. Before long we'll be needing kevlar underblankets to the hammocks not quilted ones (better start sorcing them John lol).
Dave.
if its £3-4 in scotland I'll happily sell our scottish members mine for £1.50-2 letting you double up!! I think if this did go ahead I could see myself investing in a nice little 28guage, perfect for the job.
Ben
The government would have a plan in place for this, they would make squirrel running across the border illegal, with heavy penalties to anyone caught squirrel smuggling. To make the job easier Hadrians wall will have to be rebuilt, and manned 24/7 by guards. :lmao:
Biddlesby
13-06-2006, 08:48
Should they really be culled? It seems to me just evolution. Along the lines of culling grey squirrels, perhaps the parliment should consider culling all humans - we've done more than our share of damage to the environment.
British Red
13-06-2006, 09:11
Should they really be culled? It seems to me just evolution. Along the lines of culling grey squirrels, perhaps the parliment should consider culling all humans - we've done more than our share of damage to the environment.
Biddlesby,
Given they were introduced by man, I see 'em as a man made problem. Now if you see man as part of the evolutionary cycle, fair enough, but equally then why re-introduce Red Kites or seas eagles? They lost their foothold through man same as Grey Squirrels gained theres. I guess we either try to fix problems we've caused or accept them and meddle no further. Me I like seeing the kites round here so I vote for fix 'em. I don't think we'll ever wipe them out, but seeing them as anything other than vermin is daft. In fact the rat has more place in our ecosystem.
As for the human cull as we don't mean all squirrels, so perhaps not all humans - just those with distinctive markings (Burberry baseball caps perhaps ;))
Red
Is hunting with a bow illegal in scotland too? I can see many turning to crossbows if this goes ahead specially if they only need the tail to claim the bounty.
Dave.
pothunter
13-06-2006, 14:02
Bow hunting is ilegal in the UK, the only expeption being non-migratory non-salanoids (coarse fish), I've looked very closley at this one. Bowhunting in all its forms is becoming more widespread and accpeted thruout many parts of europe and fits nicely with bush craft especialy traditional bowhunting.
gregorach
13-06-2006, 14:35
Is hunting with a bow illegal in scotland too? I can see many turning to crossbows if this goes ahead specially if they only need the tail to claim the bounty.
Dave.
I would've thought snaring a more efficient approach...
Labrador
13-06-2006, 16:26
I've always had a few hang-ups about snaring (excuse the pun)!
My choice would be a scoped air r*fl*. Quick, accurate & above all, humane although if it were legal I would much prefer to use my bow!
:AR15firin
Biddlesby
14-06-2006, 09:54
Biddlesby,
Given they were introduced by man, I see 'em as a man made problem. Now if you see man as part of the evolutionary cycle, fair enough, but equally then why re-introduce Red Kites or seas eagles? They lost their foothold through man same as Grey Squirrels gained theres. I guess we either try to fix problems we've caused or accept them and meddle no further. Me I like seeing the kites round here so I vote for fix 'em. I don't think we'll ever wipe them out, but seeing them as anything other than vermin is daft. In fact the rat has more place in our ecosystem.
Red
I see what you are saying, that they were introduced by man. But I always feel we make things worse when we try and correct our mistakes...if we left everything alone it would settle to an equilibrium in the long long run.
jamesoconnor
14-06-2006, 23:37
we shouldn't be looking for a bounty on these animals as we should be eating them!! :lmao:
well, maybe not me personally....
regards
james :D
hugh fearnly-witingstalll makes a very good statment on cook on the wild side, they are good to eat and have not been pumped with chemicals, i would like to try them, mmmm
gregorach
15-06-2006, 10:20
we shouldn't be looking for a bounty on these animals as we should be eating them!! :lmao:
well, maybe not me personally....
regards
james :D
Well, since the idea is to pay bounty on the tails, you can do both! :)
Not that it will ever happen...
British Red
15-06-2006, 11:11
I see what you are saying, that they were introduced by man. But I always feel we make things worse when we try and correct our mistakes...if we left everything alone it would settle to an equilibrium in the long long run.
No problem with that, but does that mean you think we shouldn't re-introduce Red Kites for example (since that is another example of further meddling)?
Red
Can I reintroduce the brachiosaurus...I'd like to use it for getting to work and dropping the kids at school...Now thats what I call a 4X4 :D
British Red
15-06-2006, 13:08
How about a brontosaurus what a piece of design - thin at one end, thick in the midlle, thin at the other end - a brontosaurus :)
Can I reintroduce the brachiosaurus...I'd like to use it for getting to work and dropping the kids at school...Now thats what I call a 4X4 :D
Don't be daft - do you have any idea what the running costs of a brachiosaurus are!!!!!! Imagine the size of the garage ..... and the pooper scooper would have to be HUGE
Biddlesby
15-06-2006, 23:51
No problem with that, but does that mean you think we shouldn't re-introduce Red Kites for example (since that is another example of further meddling)?
Red
I feel that reintroducing Red Kites back into an ecosystem which they were doing perfectly well (bar man) is a different matter to culling a superior species which we introduced. And of course I'm completely for reintroducing the brachiosaurus, just to spice things up a bit.
It's not that I'm completely against a method of control, I'm just saying I don't think culling grey squirrels is really an effective method in the long run. But then again, man will always have an impact on nature and perhaps the damage done trying to rectify this is less than if we ignored the problem.
British Red
16-06-2006, 07:11
I feel that reintroducing Red Kites back into an ecosystem which they were doing perfectly well (bar man) is a different matter to culling a superior species which we introduced. And of course I'm completely for reintroducing the brachiosaurus, just to spice things up a bit.
It's not that I'm completely against a method of control, I'm just saying I don't think culling grey squirrels is really an effective method in the long run. But then again, man will always have an impact on nature and perhaps the damage done trying to rectify this is less than if we ignored the problem.
Hi mate - have a rep point for a nice civilised debate! I know I am playing devils advocate but I do so conscioulsly as I have rarely heard people defend (say) the Colorado beetle or the micro organisms that cause foot and mouth disease. However all of that is "moulding" nature (as of course is taking a course of antibiotics). The truth is the entire English landscape is "man affected".
In my mind, trying to control grey squirrels to protect an indigenous species is on a par with re-introducing kites or sea eagles. Both will lead to the deaths of other creatures. The only difference is that in once case man is the direct cause of death of an attractive creature, in the other the cause of (re-)introducing and attractive predator. Both lead to creatures deaths, the lack of action leads to rare creatures becoming rarer - a moral maze indeed
Red
Povarian
16-06-2006, 10:01
I feel that reintroducing Red Kites back into an ecosystem which they were doing perfectly well (bar man)Ah, but the kites introduced are the European red kite and not the British red kite. Apparently, they couldn't get the Welsh conservationists to part with any of theirs, so they went to the continent. The European one is bigger.
I wonder what will happen when the two populations come into conflict for territory. This may turn out to be another good intention that doesn't play out how it was supposed to.
Personally, I love watching the kites, and would rather have the "wrong" ones than none.
Back to squirrels, they have reached plague proportions around here - even raiding the rubbish bins behind the offices here. They are truly vermin and should be culled.
Hmm... do red kites hunt squirrels?
red Kites are mostly carrion eaters, so best thing would be cull the Squirrels and leave them out for the kites.
Womble_Lancs
28-06-2006, 20:24
There was a debate in Westminster Hall today, on the subject of the Red Squirrel Population, raised by Peter Atkinson MP. I was rather interested to hear that in parts of the USA it is very common to eat squirrels, so I did a google search and found a fair few recipes. Dunno if it'll catch on here though. :lurk:
Anyway, if you're interested to read the transcript of the debate, it will be available from tomorrow morning on the Hansard Pages (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm). They're usually up by 8am.
jamesoconnor
28-06-2006, 20:49
im sure a few people on this forum have ate squirrell. infact i know of one or two who have. theyre meant to be really tasty too!!
Culicoidis
28-06-2006, 23:12
im sure a few people on this forum have ate squirrell. infact i know of one or two who have. theyre meant to be really tasty too!!
I have had the pleasure of eating squirrel, the pelts in the freezer awaiting processing. A friend of mine is a game keeper and thought I`d flinch when he offered me the brace. Slow cooked in red wine with hickory smoked streaky bacon they were fantastic.
As for the bounty, I think the public wouldn`t care so much if they didn`t have fluffy tails. They would then be seen for what they are, tree rats.
pierre girard
29-06-2006, 08:23
Interesting thread.
From a different point of view - while both reds and greys can be hunted here - the greys are prized - as they are considered a game animal (and have a season which requires a license), the reds are considered to be vermin and can be shot any time of the year without a license.
Grey squirrel, baked in mushroom soup, is one of my favorite dishes.
Both of them are a pain in the neck however, when they get in my attic and make nests. The .410 hangs loaded in the front hall and my kids have standing orders to shoot them whenever they see them in the yard. My youngest son shot 45 last summer, and my daughter shot 15. It doesn't seem to have put a dent in the local population.
Womble_Lancs
29-06-2006, 20:23
The Hansard link for the squirrel debate is here : http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060628/halltext/60628h0254.htm#06062860000003