Finally got a pecan thief today!

[Steelontarget]

One squirrel can eat one pound of nuts per week:  http://www.livescience.com/28182-squirrels.html

Assuming that the pecans are on the trees for about 3 months, that means that a squirrel will eat up to 192 ounces per year.  That's 192 servings of pecans. http://convert-to.com/621/pecan-nuts-halves-conversion-with-nutritional-facts-table-listed.html

Squirrels have 2-4 babies per litter for two litters a year.  That means that in addition to mom and pop you could have 8 squirrels (plus) living in your pecan tree for the first year.  That's assuming the squirrels have just moved into the neighborhood.  However they have a high mortality rate their first year.  So let's assume that when the family moves into the neighborhood and your pecan tree you could see a net growth of two squirrels per year for every two squirrels; rising from 2 for the first to as much as  64 squirrels in five years.

That means that at the end of five years those squirrels could be consuming as much as 12,288 - one ounce servings per year.  However, once the food supply is diminished and the population cannot be supported any longer they will move to a new area.  I find that doubtful, however, as I have hunted the same patch of woods for the past 25 years and have seen NO reduction in the squirrel population.

So the next time your wife complains about shooting the little buggers you can tell her that those squirrels are consuming a lot of pecans that could feed starving families and you have to exterminate them for the children.

This is what over-eating pecans does to a squirrel.

[wimpanzee]

That guy looks like he is ready to pop if you shoot him!

[Steelontarget]

That guy looks like he is ready to pop if you shoot him!

The fattest squirrels that I ever saw were at Yosemite National Park.  I swear I saw several that were dragging their bellies on the ground. I got to the top of one of the falls one day and decided to rest.  I laid down on the ground with my pack underneath my head and dozed off.  I was awakened by something pulling on my back pack.  You guessed it.  A squirrel was trying to get in the pack for some food.  After I yelled, "Stop - thief!" he ran away. 

Squirrels; they're all alike. Nothing but thieves!

This is one fat squirrel that's ate too much:

This is a long video but one that you have to watch to the end.  They never give up when it comes to filling their bellies.

[Smaug2]

Thanks guys.

I know the perils of squirrels in the home but my wife just has a different, very different, view about them. I'm guessing when she was a very little girl she was out in the yard or at a park and observed squirrels running around, etc and was fascinated by them. To the point that if asked 'if you died and were reincarnated as an animal, what would it be?' she'd say a squirrel. She thinks they're cute, graceful, entertaining, etc. I can't put myself into her headspace on this but she puts squirrels on a pedestal. It's weird. Monday I saw 3 in the backyard at the same time ( I can't shoot in the front yard) but the kids were home from school, teacher planning day, and the neighbor kids were home too. I'm mulling over this red back stop idea.

You could also strategically start baiting them .... er, I mean feeding the songbirds, before the times your wife won't be home. Use Black Oil Sunflower Seeds from Home Depot. Cardinals love them. (and squirrels) Get them in the habit of checking that spot on their food patrol, then, when you DO have the chance to shoot when she's away, you'll have better odds of having a customer at that moment.

On the flip side, the squirrels will also be there more often when your wife is there, which will make HER happy too. It's a win-win, as long as she doesn't find out you're ventilating them, hehehe.

[Steelontarget]

Thanks guys.

I know the perils of squirrels in the home but my wife just has a different, very different, view about them. I'm guessing when she was a very little girl she was out in the yard or at a park and observed squirrels running around, etc and was fascinated by them. To the point that if asked 'if you died and were reincarnated as an animal, what would it be?' she'd say a squirrel. She thinks they're cute, graceful, entertaining, etc. I can't put myself into her headspace on this but she puts squirrels on a pedestal. It's weird. Monday I saw 3 in the backyard at the same time ( I can't shoot in the front yard) but the kids were home from school, teacher planning day, and the neighbor kids were home too. I'm mulling over this red back stop idea.

You could also strategically start baiting them .... er, I mean feeding the songbirds, before the times your wife won't be home. Use Black Oil Sunflower Seeds from Home Depot. Cardinals love them. (and squirrels) Get them in the habit of checking that spot on their food patrol, then, when you DO have the chance to shoot when she's away, you'll have better odds of having a customer at that moment.

On the flip side, the squirrels will also be there more often when your wife is there, which will make HER happy too. It's a win-win, as long as she doesn't find out you're ventilating them, hehehe.

Use this automatic feeder to dispense the squirrel bird feed when your SWMBO isn't there.  To make the SWMBO happy, set it for a few times when she is there.  When the SWMBO isn't around you can dispatch the little tree rats to your heart's content.

[GD Giles]

That feeder is pretty cool.

I popped off 2 shots this morning, both misses, before the back neighbor came into his back yard. Next time I'm going with the Gladius as it's much quieter and I can hold it steadier than the 95. I like Hatsans but they ain't lightweights.

[Steelontarget]

That feeder is pretty cool.

I popped off 2 shots this morning, both misses, before the back neighbor came into his back yard. Next time I'm going with the Gladius as it's much quieter and I can hold it steadier than the 95. I like Hatsans but they ain't lightweights.

What's the maximum distance?  If it's inside 20 yards it might be a good excuse to get something like a Beeman R7/HW30s or an HW50 or something like the HW30 Urban Pro at AOA. Just to be a good neighbor and keep things quiet.


Don't let the SWMBO know.

[GD Giles]

I don't need another gun, I need to be a better shot. .

[CJDore]

I too nailed a long tailed rat today from only about 15 yrds. I aimed a bit low because of the closeness and I actually hit with a perfect heart shot....instant death.

My wife too thought the lil ^(^^%$#^ were cute until I caught 8 in my attic and paid about $1000 to repair the damage they had done. Now she does not care and I use the squirrels to attract hawks......beautiful birds.

[Steelontarget]

I too nailed a long tailed rat today from only about 15 yrds. I aimed a bit low because of the closeness and I actually hit with a perfect heart shot....instant death.

My wife too thought the lil ^(^^%$#^ were cute until I caught 8 in my attic and paid about $1000 to repair the damage they had done. Now she does not care and I use the squirrels to attract hawks......beautiful birds.

You need to get an air rifle for your SWMBO.  Both of you could spend romantic mornings and afternoons, together, putting holes into the little buggers.