Hello,

I usually don't hesitate to 'plink' at squirrels and/or chipmunks that go after my wife's birdfeeders, irritate my dog, etc.

But lately, I've had a bit of a change of heart...
These rodents are very near or at the bottom of the food chain. The food chain from which I may find myself participating in when the SHTF. Since they provide a base for bigger critters to survive, and so on, I'm going to let them be.

When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, we're ALL going to need as much healthy wildlife to 'select' from as we can get.

Thoughts?

[edit on 8/31/2009 by billybobh3]

I was growing some jalepeno peppers and had some nice ones ready to pick, I went to check on them and they were all gone!!! Damn squirrells! But I do smile thinking of the stomache ache they must have gotten

I'm on the fence about it because the speakers on my laptop blew and everything sounds like Alvin and the chipmunks.I really like the don't worry be happy chipmunk version.Spare them until you might need them.Nothing wrong with a squirrel tryin to get a nut.

I let the squirrels live, it's the stupid gophers I shoot. They dig up my potatoes take a single bite out of them then toss them on the ground and dig up another one and do the same thing to it. If they are too stupid to realize after the first one they don't like the taste then I'll remove them from the gene pool of my yard. Of course if they just ate them that would be ok too.. It's the waste I hate.

It's a fine line and we all have to set our own goal posts..

I have seen too much death in my life and so quit hunting years ago. I will however feed my loved ones no matter what.

I also live "kind of" in the country and sometimes one has to do things that are not necessarily the easiest things to do. Those that live on or have lived on farms know what I mean.

Semper

Squirrels make a pretty fine meal when you need one the most. My grandpa hunted them regularly. I remember seeing him spit out the occasional piece of #4 every now and again. The key to getting squirrel tender is soaking it overnight in a ziploc filled with buttermilk. Then season up some flour to your liking, bread the little guy and pan fry until tender. Not to bad I must say. You can also use your pan drippings to make a nice gravy to go with it.

Yum Yum I'm getting hungry.

The one thing that a lot of people misconceive, is that animals are pests.
Animals are born survivors, and live that based on that survival instinct every single day.
Their lives are not about politics, money or technology.
Their lives are about living, plain and simple.

We can learn a lot from them.

Originally posted by reticledc
The one thing that a lot of people misconceive, is that animals are pests.
Animals are born survivors, and live that based on that survival instinct every single day.
Their lives are not about politics, money or technology.
Their lives are about living, plain and simple.

We can learn a lot from them.

I agree, most animals are a lot more intelligent that the majority of people give them credit for. As human beings we usually have the upper hand and unless your life is in danger (including the possibility of starvation) I don't see the appeal of killing what usually turns out to be a helpless creature.

Ah thanks for the reminder on the squirrel gravy, I have those
memories too. Seriously tho I have eaten chipmunks for a week
on a survival outing, I caught them like crazy with figure 4 deadfalls
or paiute deadfalls whatever you want to call them. They're kinda
gamey like squirrel only more so. I'm saying this to reinforce the
idea that yes, they could make a good emergency source of
protein. Not only that but they might be competing with you for
the acorns that are out there on the ground!

[edit on 1-9-2009 by Asktheanimals]