Hunting / Vermin Page

This will be the dedicated page for Hunting / Vermin control information, this will include Tracking, Firearms, Ammunition, Game / Quarry, and so on!
This will be a large page - we will try our best to imporve navigation, although this is a blog and we do not have many options in terms of layout, just keep in mind we have a search feature on the right side panel >

Click here for the Wind Forecaster for the hunters out there (UK, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Islands)

If in the UK - first double check the BASC website as legislation on hunting and quarrey is constantly changing - Click here for BASC

Hunting Season/s List:

All Year Round; Fox, Rat, Mice, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Mink, Weasel, Stoat & Feral Cat - controlled by legally approved methods.
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Squirrel Hunting / Control

Typical position when inactive on tree branches

 

Species: Eastern Grey Squirrel
Season/s: All year round (UK)

Origin: Eastern & Midwestern USA + Southern Canada

Introduced: South Africa, England, Ireland and Italy

Alien Species / Problems: Causing the displacement of the Threatened Red Squirrel in UK and now a concern in Europe due to being intoduced to Italy

Wiki: ''In the UK, if a "grey squirrel" (eastern gray squirrel) is trapped, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to release it or to allow it to escape into the wild; instead, it should be humanely destroyed.^''

Noteable Behviour: Non hibernating, Reproduction Twice per year, nest either in hollowed out tree trunks or they create  nests like birds in tree forks consisting of leaves and twigs / branches

^{<< In public parks the animals are not shy - they will come right up to individuals and grab food from the palm of your hand - some even will climb up the legs of park visitors if the person stands still enough}

 

 

 Tracking - Snow:

 

Grey Squirrel Tracks leading to Tree

Grey Squirrel Tracks in Snow

 

 

Hunting / Pest control:

Recommended caliber/s: .22LR or Air Rifles

Reason for these calibers: Anything more powerful ie: .17HMR or .22WMR is overkill and will not leave much meat for cooking etc.

Notes / Advice: check local laws or contact local conservation, find out if any species in your area are endangered / rare, only shoot vermin or pests.

 



To be continued ...

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