Sorry not actually about deer stalking but something you will most likely have observed. Is there a decline in grey squirrel numbers generally or is it just in my part of Suffolk. Spent a very enjoyable three hours mooching around a forty acre wood and although shooting numerous dreys didn’t have a single squirrel to show for it. Even accounting for the odd dead one in the drey this is unusual. A lot of the dreys looked good, what we’d call a two or three’er. Thoughts please.
Grey squirrels.
- Thread starter Skye
- Start date
hedge hunter
Well-Known Member
There a bit hit and miss were I am too be honest but the syndicate on the place like too shoot anything that moves
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
No shortage of them here,Bucks/Northants border. Boss requests me to keep record of all vermin,to date from January 1st 74 trapped.
Bear in mind I'm professional keeper so am strict with vermin, being paid to do so week in week out.
Between now and first egg appearing campaign really stepped out so numbers will rise accordingly, even with year round control.
Bear in mind I'm professional keeper so am strict with vermin, being paid to do so week in week out.
Between now and first egg appearing campaign really stepped out so numbers will rise accordingly, even with year round control.
Plenty here:
Well, to be totally honest not as many as to be seen at start of my Season!
K
Well, to be totally honest not as many as to be seen at start of my Season!
K
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
Same yesterday, loads of dreys shot nothing at home.
I think the wet has driven them to use hollow trees
I think the wet has driven them to use hollow trees
paul dillon
Well-Known Member
No shortage here last season on our drey poking sessions we accounted for 200 greys on various farms this season just started and up to 20 on two weekends
Appeared to have vanished in South Glos. On the last 3 dog walks with thermal in wooded areas not a squirrel to be seen. Last month on our traditional grey cull day we shot 4 saw 6. Last year we shot close to 100 on two days!
No acorns in 2024 so foid is scarce.
Have shot 4 off my squirrel feeder .
D
No acorns in 2024 so foid is scarce.
Have shot 4 off my squirrel feeder .
D
I cage trap and then dispatch by shooting in my friend's garden. You will get four or five or so in a seven day period with sometimes two the same day. Then it goes quiet for three weeks. So here I think I shoot out the immediate local population and it takes three weeks for incomers to move in to that territory?
I’m employed as a keeper so am at them constantly,
Had 1384 from 01/03/23-01/02/24
and 874 from 02/02/24- 01/02/25
And already On 17 from 02/02/25
Mostly from shooting on my rounds with shotgun and rifle, I do also have 4 bait feeders out what I try spend a hour at each atleast once a fortnight, i only have a handful of tunnels, but trying to convince the boss to fund a lot more.
Had 1384 from 01/03/23-01/02/24
and 874 from 02/02/24- 01/02/25
And already On 17 from 02/02/25
Mostly from shooting on my rounds with shotgun and rifle, I do also have 4 bait feeders out what I try spend a hour at each atleast once a fortnight, i only have a handful of tunnels, but trying to convince the boss to fund a lot more.
I think you’re right. I’ve got plenty of old oaks, probably ideal for the little buggers.
Nobody else, at least no sign of anyone.
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
Indeed there is. I used to have 4 coming into my garden and emptying the bird feeders, and now I have none! Vanished, in a puff of burnt powder smoke!
same, could be due to the odd bit of lead they bump into!!Indeed there is. I used to have 4 coming into my garden and emptying the bird feeders, and now I have none! Vanished, in a puff of burnt powder smoke!
Plenty here although I'm at them with the traps pretty hard so less than there would be.
I have stopped shooting dreys in the last few years due to the chance of killing non target species, owls mainly, without realising. My understanding is that it's no longer best practice and not compatible with the grant scheme. Grey poking rather than shooting is recommended but carrying poles is such a pain I'd rather trap them
I have stopped shooting dreys in the last few years due to the chance of killing non target species, owls mainly, without realising. My understanding is that it's no longer best practice and not compatible with the grant scheme. Grey poking rather than shooting is recommended but carrying poles is such a pain I'd rather trap them
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