Drop in Grey Squirrel Numbers?

[Pykie]

Have people noticed a big drop in squirrel numbers this year? I have barely shot 20 since January, whereas over the past two years I have shot and trapped 600+. I know that has helped but areas where I usually always see them are quiet, and I have not seen a young one at all yet. A group of drey pokers who do a lot of squirrel control all over Devon phoned a gamekeeper friend of mine and said in Feb and March they were poking dreys and squirrel corpses were falling out, having died of the wet and cold over the winter. I also notice out Pigeon Watch Squirrel Tally is down this year too.

[the_commoner]

i shot about 20 in and around the stables at home last year and havent shot 1 this year, numbers definately down, not sure whether it was down to my cull last year or whether they had a bad winter

[oscarsdad]

Agree - I shot 18 in a couple of hours off the feeders in the wood last February, only seen 1 in the same wood this year.

[Thunderbird]

I haven't seen a single one where I shoot since january.

[Bewsher500]

i have only seen two round here, both shot

I am desperate to get hold of some for a friend with a taxidermy school but cant get any anywhere

if anyone is willing to freeze them I will take any you can get at a pound a pop