Bounty on Grey squirrels ahead?

**Marts** · 12-06-2006, 11:58

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

Originally Posted by pothunter

Start collecting tails from road kill now, stick em in the freezer!

You are a genius!!!!!

**JonnyP** · 12-06-2006, 13:33

Originally Posted by ilovemybed

You are a genius!!!!!

I bet he's not married though.........Whats this in my freezer

................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.

**Pappa** · 12-06-2006, 13:53

What's to stop someone trapping any squirrel and just keeping the grey tails?

**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.

**Goose** · 12-06-2006, 14:27

I like advocates for Animals quote about culling Grey Squirrells, "This is little more than ethnic cleansing."

**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.

**spamel** · 12-06-2006, 16:26

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

Originally Posted by spamel

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...

**CLEM** · 12-06-2006, 17:00

Originally Posted by Goose

I like advocates for Animals quote about culling Grey Squirrells, "This is little more than ethnic cleansing."

What an idiot that bloke is.I think its a wonderfull and a must do idea myself and about time too!

**philaw** · 12-06-2006, 17:31

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).

**CLEM** · 12-06-2006, 17:46

Originally Posted by philaw

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!

**philaw** · 12-06-2006, 18:21

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

**Nemisis** · 13-06-2006, 07:27

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.

**Goose** · 13-06-2006, 08:34

Originally Posted by benjamin.oneill

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.

**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

Originally Posted by Biddlesby

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

**Nemisis** · 13-06-2006, 09:17

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

Originally Posted by Nemisis

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!

**Biddlesby** · 14-06-2006, 09:54

Originally Posted by British Red

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!!

well, maybe not me personally....

regards
james

**WERDNA** · 15-06-2006, 10:08

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

Originally Posted by jamesoconnor

we shouldn't be looking for a bounty on these animals as we should be eating them!!

well, maybe not me personally....

regards
james

Well, since the idea is to pay bounty on the tails, you can do both!

Not that it will ever happen...

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