Squirrel problem

[fl_deb]

I guess I am just brain dead this am, but what practices would make an animal that can carry rabies and God knows what else safe to eat????

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
I totally agree...I've eaten a bunch of squirrels through my life and I ain't climbing trees, raiding bird feeders, or stealing chicken food yet! Though some would say I'm a little nuts!

 

[Wifezilla]

fl_deb, you just don't eat the brains. People used to eat squirrel brains. Now it is not recommended.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

I have a squirrel infestation at my house. I've gone so far as to cut down the majority of the nut bearing trees on my property to help decrease the population. I have so many that I have to thin the population myself every year. I have noticed the difference since removing some of their food supply (nuts.) The ones who become a nuissance meet an untimely death and help sharpen my shooting skills. I don't want to get rid of all of them but too many is unhealthy for the ecosystem and for the squirrels themselves.

 

[cooper38]

I like sending the dogs after those tree rats, they love chasing them. When they start becoming a problem the lead starts flying. Tree rats can be a big pain but taste pretty good.

 

[Nambroth]

Quote:
The same practices that make wild venison, elk, rabbit, or even domestic animals safe to eat. Any animal can carry disease. Truly, commercially farmed animals have a history of carrying zoonotic disease more often than wild ones do. While any mammal can contract rabies, there have been no documented cases in most wild herbivores such as deer, squirrel, rabbit, etc. It's not impossible, but eating nearly anything carries a tiny amount of risk! Wear gloves while butchering, avoid opening entrails to come in contact with meat, and wash up well. When preparing the meat, bring it to the recommended minimum temperatures that kill pathogens and parasites, just as with meat from the grocery store. That's all.

Wifezilla is correct. With squirrels in particular it is advised not to eat the brains. Here is an older article: http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/29/us/kentucky-doctors-warn-against-a-regional-dish-squirrels-brains.html
(In general, the nervous systems of animals can be where some really nasty pathogens dwell, so it's usually not a good idea to eat too many brains from anything if you are concerned about food borne diseases...)

 

[patman75]

As stated before a pellet gun that shoots 1200fps. I have a gamo big cat and it takes out squirrels with no problem.

or

buy them peanut pieces. They love peanuts more than chickens food.

or

Use the peanuts as bait and have yourselve a squirrel feast.

good luck!

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
I've eaten squirrels for 40 years or more and never had the kahoonas to the brains (of any animal for that matter). I've eaten most everything else, but never went as far as brain. My best friend's brother up in Southern Indiana use to eat squirrel brains like peanuts. Ever since the mad cow disease scare...he gave this practice up. Especially after hearing about a guy in Kentucky who got sick from eating squirrel brains. Kinda like a "mad squirrel disease". I think the guy even died from it if I recall correctly.

One of the problems I have now is that a neighbor clear cut over 400 acres of timber behind my property. Guess where all the squirrels are now that most of that habitat is gone??!! Yep, my oaks...my other neighbors have the buggers chewing through the gable ends and crawling through the attic space. If you need some shooting practice and don't have enough squirrels of your own...come on over to Sumter, South Carolina! I'll even loan ya the gun and pellets while I take care of my chores.

 

[fl_deb]

Okay I may be setting myself up here, but what does squirrels taste like?


Please don't tell me chicken. LOL

 

[MeowCluckBark]

The only organ I've been able to tolerate eating is smoked chicken hearts. Isn't that awful? They make it at a Brazillian place here in town and I knew what the words meant for the menu item, but I decided to be brave when they brought it to me. It was delicious.

I don't know if I'd like squirrel. I'm so picky.

So maybe train your chickens to chase of the squirrels lol idk. When my 5 week old Brahma chicks were at my friends house they chased off all the stupid house sparrows, starlings, and squirrels that would dare come near their food.