My neighbours are catching and killing the squirrels :-(

melanie22_2

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I'd eat squirrel, no problem. I wouldn't kill one without eating it, what a waste. I never have as the opportunity hasn't arisen, but I've eaten most other things. I bet it tastes a bit like rabbit. Hands up all those that wouldn't eat fluffy bunnies or cute squirrels. Hands down those who are vegetarians. Those who are left with your hands in the air, you would be happy to slaughter a clever lovely piggie, but not a rabbit, Hmmm can you see something wrong with this picture?

Not tried the English garden snail though, I did fancy trying, but then read the palaver you have to go through to get them ready and it seemed a pointless task for something that isn't that good to eat apparently. If anyone here has tried it, I would love to here what it was like.

I watched a programme once that said all you needed to do to prepare garden snails for eating is keep them in a box with parsley for 3 days so they eat it and clean out their system. Hugh f.w. i think it was.

ALIBOBSY

I have a relation who is ex SAS and Paras who specifically asked the council about rats and grey squirrels and was told it is legal for him to use his air rifle to shoot both.
Given that he was a very skilled marksman and still is a very good shot this is far more humane than a trap or poison for both and gives a retired man something to do.

Having lived in a semi rural area for many years and seen the damage these "cute" rodents (rats, grey squirrels,foxes) cause I would have no hesitation in killing them when required, however I would mostly advise live and let live if you can.

ali x

Mortal

we've had to put chicken wire around our young tree trunks as they tear it all up

I was wondering how to make the garlic wash please and how often to use it

Whitefiver

I would be delighted if our neighbour was ridding us of squirrels - you might even see an increase in the birds - see here.

He could then move onto magpies.

Regards,

White.

amcluesent

>who specifically asked the council about rats and grey squirrels<

Is it OK to shoot pigeons? Too many round my way.

Rummer

We once rescued a grey squirrel that had been hit by a car and we called the SSPCA so that they could come and treat it. When I asked them if we could call later to se if it had pulled through we were told there would be no point as they are put to sleep as they are viewed as vermin and not released back into the wild. We were gutted.

Red_Squirrel_4

definately wish I hadn't stumbled onto this thread

but... I do have one slight correction, red and grey squirrels do have different diets so this is not the reason greys are wiping out reds. In fact greys carry a virus that kills red squirrels even so I think I need to go lay down in a dark room

Horace

I wouldnt eat or kill a red squirrel as they are fab, as for grey squirrels they are quite tasty and a long time ago I once ate hedgehog that had been covered in clay and baked on a bonfire (its what romany gypsies do). I like hedgehogs and wouldnt eat another one though - it was something that had to be experienced.

Personally, I cannot see anything wrong with eating grey squirrels and cannot see why people get upset about it as after all these people very often eat meat: lambs, cows, pigs etc. so what's the difference? Meat is meat.

V.Lucky

I am sure a lot of you would not be disagreeing with killing these tree rats if they had invaded your loft and were gnawing on the cables and joists as we had at our house a few years ago.

In the end we had to get Rentakill in to lay traps in the loft to catch them, luckily insurance covered the cost.

We used to like to see them inthe garden and thought they were cute. No more, they are vermin and deserved to be treated as such.

Would people think so fondly of rats I wonder? Grey squirrels are just rats with tails.

RAS

ceridwen wrote: »

Actually - at a practical level - what are the neighbours actually doing with the dead squirrels? I ask - in all seriousness - because I have an idea (cant be quite sure on it?) that squirrels may actually be edible....

Errr....they ARENT eating them for Sunday lunch are they?:rolleyes:

I understand that they are served at some "local food " restaurants and farmer's markets and taste like rabbit.