Air pistol for Squirrels?

[rowen]

The squirrel population has exploded due to a new estate being next to the woods, foxes kicked out so no predators.
They are destroying all the young oak, hazel and pretty much anything they can get their teeth into.
Would an air pistol be suitable for culling the greys, I have rifles but would prefer something more unobtrusive?
Any recommendations and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Russ

 

[Chris]

Personally wouldn’t. You’re not guaranteed a humane dispatch with a sub 6ft/lb, and you’re certainly not going to be getting the accurate shot placement with one unless you’re point blank.

 

[rowen]

Thanks Chris, I had a feeling that would be the response.
A hide it is then.

 

[C_Claycomb]

The top way for squirrels seems to be feeders and hides. I recall some articles from years ago on use of pistols, but they all had shoulder stocks fitted to improve accuracy. I would probably work on a slingshot and 10mm lead balls ahead of an unsupported air pistol! Squirrels are tough critters.

 

[Nice65]

I’m not a shooter, but have been. Loads of people use the Crosmans and other pistols for vermin control. Ratters love them fitted with optional stock.

I’d say the power is fine, but the accuracy of a pistol is the problem.

 

[slowworm]

Like most shooting, it'll depend on range. At a couple of yards it'll work, I wouldn't use one past that on a squirrel as they seem tougher than rats. Much past 10m and you'd have to get the range bang on to cope with the pellet drop.

 

[Broch]

No. Unless you can guarantee a clean kill at the range you can get them at, definitely not. A pistol is OK to despatch them in a trap.

They are a growing menace. A couple of winters ago I shot near 40 in an area of less than an acre (.22 air rifle) and two years later they are back. Unless your neighbours manage them aggressively it's a continuous slog.

I intend to invest in a few of the traps that @bearbait mentioned a few days ago.

I'm hopeful that the contraceptive control will be available soon and at a sensible cost but we'd still have to cull the dominant males that stop others getting to the bait.

 

[Crac]

I can understand protecting your home from squirrel damage. But kindly and with respect answer for yourself: “why get involved”.

An air pistol simply isn’t the right tool here.

 

[gibson 175]

I would get advice from a professional qualified pest controller. A quick phone call would answer a lot of questions.

 

[Broch]

I can understand protecting your home from squirrel damage. But kindly and with respect answer for yourself: “why get involved”.

An air pistol simply isn’t the right tool here.

Well, if one takes on the responsibility of custodianship of a piece of woodland or similar, one accepts the responsibility of managing pests that seriously affect the long-term quality and biodiversity of the habitat. The grey squirrel population explosion is a serious threat to our woodlands - and I speak as someone who doesn't kill anything unless absolutely necessary (other than to eat).

You are right about the air pistol; I doubt the legality of using one to be honest. The law is quite explicit about controlling pests (but doesn't state what power of air weapon must be used!).

 

[Pattree]

we'd still have to cull the dominant males that stop others getting to the bait.

No! You need the sterile dominant males so that they fail to impregnate the females and fight off rivals.

 

[Broch]

No! You need the sterile dominant males so that they fail to impregnate the females and fight off rivals.

That doesn't work! Other males, who have failed to get to the bait, will mate because the dominant male is too busy defending his lovely larder of Nutella. Only one male out of dozens would be infertile.

The process has been determined by trial. I attended an on-line seminar on it a short while back. The results of controlled trials so far are that a combination of contraceptive and culling will be required.

 

[gibson 175]

That doesn't work! Other males, who have failed to get to the bait, will mate because the dominant male is too busy defending his lovely larder of Nutella. Only one male out of dozens would be infertile.

The process has been determined by trial. I attended an on-line seminar on it a short while back. The results of controlled trials so far are that a combination of contraceptive and culling will be required.

Makes sense. It's about understanding their behaviour.

 

[gibson 175]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/4
as people have pointed out it is also about preventing un -necessary suffering. i.e humane dispatch. The animal still has to be respected even if you have to kill it. Just saying. It's also something I feel strongly about whenever I have had to despatch a pest.

 

[rowen]

Thanks all I got the answer I thought from Chris, I’m not up to speed on current air guns that’s why I asked the question.
Hopefully my next post here will be recipe related!
Russ

 

[C_Claycomb]

...
Hopefully my next post here will be recipe related!
Russ

I can well recommend this one:

Squirrel Stew with Paprika - How to Make Squirrel Stew | Hank Shaw

A recipe for a squirrel stew with smoked sausage, paprika, greens and tomatoes. Chicken, turkey or rabbit also work.

honest-food.net

Served at the pot-luck meal at the Moot one year under the heading "long tail tree chicken stew" using par-boiled and boned squirrel. Entire pot was emptied.

 

[stonepark]

For an air rifle, squirrels need quite a wallop, 177 at 6ftlbs will not penetrate at more than 5yds to give a good kill shot to the body.

I use a BSA Lightning 11.5ftlb, 25cal with H&N FTT pellets.

 

[Broch]

Oh, I have load of squirrel recipes including squirrel tagine and sqirrel satay - on the basis that I only kill what I eat I've had to come up with a variety. Though, to be honest, there is no way we can eat all that I shoot at the moment.

 

[TeeDee]

Oh, I have load of squirrel recipes including squirrel tagine and sqirrel satay - on the basis that I only kill what I eat I've had to come up with a variety. Though, to be honest, there is no way we can eat all that I shoot at the moment.

Give them to a local pub to create some recipes - start a revolution.

 

[Chris]

Give them to a local pub to create some recipes - start a revolution.

Does seem rather mad that we have people who can’t afford to buy food, yet rabbit and squirrel often just gets dumped as waste.

Must be a market for a resurgence of this sort of food.