Anyone even eaten red squirrels?

[lonewolf04422]

I live in maine so red squirrel season is open year around. I havent seen any grey squirrels in the area i hunt (4 acres that my parents live on) so i cant shoot them i also dont have a drivers license yet (waiting for the date) so im limited to this tiny piece of land for deer hunting. Saw some red squirrels while deer hunting and was wondering if there any good to eat? Or should i just shoot them and leave em for the birds? I did buy some #8`s(they were the cheapest) for them since i figured squirrel hunting might teach me a thing or two about hunting.  So are they any good? The worst thing i have ate game wise is deer liver does it taste nastier then that?

[june6th1944]

I grew up eating squirrels.  I'm not sure about a red squirrel unless you are referring to a fox squirrel, as we called them in Arkansas (here come the jokes).  Squirrel isn't bad--it's got the same gamey flavor as rabbit.  If you don't like rabbit, you won't like squirrel.  

I would not recommend using #8--way too many pellets.  I would use #6 shot.

Wasting a game animal (compared to a varmit) is a crime in most states and unethical.  Let them live if you don't plan on eating them.

Squirrel and dumplings
Squirrel and gravy
Fried squirrel
Barbequed squirrel
Squirrel mulligan stew

[mjbgalt]

red squirrels aren't the same as fox squirrels. we call them that here in ohio too, btw.

red squirrels are the little ground squirrels...is that what you are referring to? like chipmunks kinda?

-Matt

[lonewolf04422]

red squirrels are a a little bigger then a chipmunk but smaller then a grey squirrell um there red and live in trees.

[mangulator]

Go ahead and shoot one try eating it... Might taste good then give the forum the reciept :grin:

[Jerry Lester]

We call'em mountain boomers here. I don't have a clue why, but that's what we call'em.

Red squirrels aren't chipmunks. They're a squirrel similar to grey squirrels, but colored more like a normal Fox squirrel. They have a little black stripe between the white belly fur, and the red side for. Their tails aren't bushy like a fox, or grey squirrel. They're tails are flat, with most of the fur on the sides.

I've ate plenty of them. When I was younger we ate them all the time. They taste more or less just like grey squirrels, but with just a bit more "rich" taste to them. I figure their taste comes from the pine cone seeds that they feed on. The majority of ours live in bull pine thickets, and from my observations, I'm pretty sure that pine nuts are their main diet.

Try'em!

If you like squirrel meat, you'll love them...

[lonewolf04422]

Thanks think i might try them since i have only had deer meat before it wont hurt to try them just wanted some opinions ive heard alot of people say there nasty. I think i might wait till fall though since i dont wanna accidently kill a momma and the babies die. What should i do if they have that moth thing in them?

[Jerry Lester]

I think you're talking about warbles? They get under the hide, and they can cause a very nasty looking spot on any squirrel. It'll be a hole like a BB wound, swelled up some, with a grub looking worm down in it.

Personally, I've always just tossed squirrels when they have one in them. I've heard that they won't hurt anything, but once you see all the infection, and nastiness in there I doubt you'll want to eat the squirrels with them either.

Usually by the first frost in our area you'll hardly ever see a warble.

[dangerranger]

My grandmother used to make squrill pie. sorta like chicken pot pie but with squirll meat.

[smallgameguy]

Red squirrels are great eatin.  You just hafta have few of them to make a meal.  I usually skin and gut them freeze them until I have about a dozen or so and then put them in a crook-pot and simmer them with gravy or in chili.  Best thing ever!!

[lil_hunter12]

red squirrels here in ky are bigger than a grey. the only difference in them i can find is they r bigger and tougher. and use #5 shot it weill kill them farther and more efficient

[Jerry Lester]

red squirrels here in ky are bigger than a grey. the only difference in them i can find is they r bigger and tougher. and use #5 shot it weill kill them farther and more efficient

I think you're talking about what we call fox squirrels here. They are definately bigger than a grey squirrel. I've seen fox squirrels that are easily twice as big as a big grey, and yes, they can be tough to kill.

[snicker]

We called them pineys when I was stationed in VA.  we always used a .22 short or .22 CB cause they are small.  A good pellet rifle would be great for them.  It does take a few for a good meal.  Cook them the same as you would a grey squirrel.

[PeterF.]

I know what you're talking about (I'm only 1/2-hour down the road from Bangor). Never tried eating a red.  They are definitely smaller than a gray ... and much more aggressive.  You don't want them in your house (grays either for that matter); I trapped out 8 last year ... took 'em for a little ride across the river.  I haven't tried shooting them as my shooting line-of-fire toward my bird(squirrel) feeder aims at my neighbor's`house; but I've been tempted.  So far, trapping has worked.  As long as they're outside, they're mostly entertainment for me.  If you try eating them, let us know.  And, if you need some more, I can bring you some (gift-wrapped)

[K.K]

I know red squirrels!  They always seem to bark at you when you are deer hunting.  They are much smaller than the fox squirrels in the mid-west.  I don't know if you can eat 'em, but if you can, you can come up to my deer camp (when you get your license) and have at 'em!