Garden squirrels - advice needed.

[catchthepigeonmutley]

I've been asked by a friend of a friend to get rid of two squirrels from her back garden which are driving her nuts (!). Apparently she is desperate to be rid of them. Having not gone after squirrels in a garden before, and before I get the air rifle out, please could anyone give advice on the following -

 

1. Is there any particular time of day that is best and when they are more active ?

2. Will I still need to be concealed/camouflaged, or are urban squirrels more tame and less afraid of entering a garden if someone is there ?

3. Should I shoot upwards from the conservatory or downwards from an upstairs window, or does it depend on where they are ?

4. Apparently if one of them enters the garden, the other one is sometimes not far behind. If I shoot one, should I retrieve it straight away and risk frightening the other one off, or just leave it where it is ?

 

Any help gratefully received...

[Konnie]

If it's near you live catch traps then dispatch them, my father did this for someone got ONE on the bird table ruins the feeders.

 

He caught 17... they all wear the same suit.

[TaxiDriver]

If they're close together, shoot one and leave it.

If you shoot one or two, They'll likely be replaced in a few days until you've thinned out sufficient numbers.

[hawkfanz]

i usualy shoot from upstairs,find its the best option they dont seem to mind me opening window to do it,if i see one at any time i dive up to the bedroom bsa ultra always in attendance.

[bruno22rf]

Is it safe to assume that they are coming into the garden for a particular reason i.e. to raid a bird table or take fruit from a tree? You should set up within comfortable range of their favourite place and ensure that you have a good backstop where you intend to shoot them - you should not need any camo gear if they are used to humans being nearby and if you shoot one you should find that the other one stays in range and will soon return after the initial shock of seeing it pal's demise - I find early morning to be most productive cos the little blighters are driven by hunger - find/build a comfortable place to wait with a rest for the rifle and do not move once you shoot the first one.

[amateur]

i usualy shoot from upstairs,find its the best option they dont seem to mind me opening window to do it,if i see one at any time i dive up to the bedroom bsa ultra always in attendance.

 

That's my method too, along with a live trap which catches the occasional one.

 

If you are using a 12ftlb air rifle, head shots are essential, because they are tough little devils

[Glenlivet]

I started in much the same way. We have woodland on two sides and had 3/4 squirrels regularly raiding the bird feeders.

 

I've now dispatched 72 sqidgies to date this year! DON'T use an air rifle, squirrel's skin is much thicker and tougher than a rabbit's. My advice would be a .410 from above if you have the patience to wait for them. They will keep coming - zombie squidgies!!!!

 

I expect to have accounted for easily 100+ by the end of the year. Some are smarter than others but sooner or later they all make a mistake

[powler]

Also...If you can't find a safe enough place (backstop) to wait you could always move the bird table or build a bate station.

[bruno22rf]

"Don't use an Air rifle" Glenlivet? I can see your point after having problems killing them cleanly at first but that , I think, was caused by over penetration when baited Squirrels were being shot at a close range (max 15 yards) using a lightweight .177 pellet bang on the legal limit - switching to a heavier pellet solved the problem and the 126 that we shot in the local Parks don't appear to be any less dead than if we had used a .410....which would not be allowed because of the safety/cost issues.

[Glenlivet]

"Don't use an Air rifle" Glenlivet? I can see your point after having problems killing them cleanly at first but that , I think, was caused by over penetration when baited Squirrels were being shot at a close range (max 15 yards) using a lightweight .177 pellet bang on the legal limit - switching to a heavier pellet solved the problem and the 126 that we shot in the local Parks don't appear to be any less dead than if we had used a .410....which would not be allowed because of the safety/cost issues.

Ok, don't use an air rifle unless you're an extremely good shot and can guarantee a clean kill headshot.

 

I'm a bit anal about injured animals dying slowly in pain.

[rovercoupe]

If its close range then a square on head shot drops them slightly quicker than side on for some reason but you will get the odd one that requires a second shot if its twiching I have found its allways young females that are harder to drop, males allways go down stone dead with one to the head. A mid weight pellet is best and forget about wadcutters ect as they make no difference. Rws field line get good results if its super close stick a rabbit magnum at them but they drop like a stone and can barrel but if it makes contact it will knock them into next week!

[Zetter]

Never had an issue dropping them with sub 12 ft/lb air although I prefer .22 as you get less punch through than with .177. As Bruno says they will be there for a reason i.e. bird table so you can generally set you kill area making sure you zero is spot on and job done.

[oowee]

Never had an issue dropping them with sub 12 ft/lb air although I prefer .22 as you get less punch through than with .177. As Bruno says they will be there for a reason i.e. bird table so you can generally set you kill area making sure you zero is spot on and job done.

Me neither. I start with the head but sometimes the head is under the roof of the table. I am also happy to take a heart and lung shot with a sub 12 side on, its very effective at my preferred range of 20yards. Pellet is usually just under the skin on the opposite side with heart and or lungs destroyed.