Squirrel Daze

[Bodei]

Like an Iranian dictator, I've slowly built up the "arsenal" in preparation for my first ground squirrel assault in NorCal. Now we are going to finally get winter and snow this week! I have Squeak Cabin Fever.
Heard from the DFG biologist in Alturas last week that the little suckers were already out in force, but this week might send 'em back. Guess it all depends on the following weeks. I'm getting tired of shooting paper!
Anyone been "scouting"? They should be in "the rut" about now.

FYI, the "Arsenal" includes;
Ruger 10/22
Savage .17 HMR
Stag Arms AR-15 24" BBL 5.56mm
Howa 1500 24" BBL .204 Ruger
Glock .40 cal (in case any get "danger-close")

[Rick in Oregon]

Bodei: Yep, they are indeed in the rut. My rancher buddy in eastern Oregon called me this week while the sun was shining, and told me from where he was standing on his property at the ranch, he could see at least 100 squirrels up and about, so the males are indeed getting active. Won't be too much longer now.....

I was thinking thoughts of fresh-burnt rifle powder, flying squirrels and nice rifles on the bench when I awoke this morning, I then looked out the garage door and saw this:



Same story in Alturas according to my rancher buddy there too.....rats! But they really need the moisture, and it should all be gone by mid-March when we really get started on Skippy and his pals.

Here's some "snow-painting" from a snowfall during last rat season. This little guy got smacked with my Kimber .22LR and a WW Power Point out the truck window and landed head-first down his burrow...bummer for him. The red "fan" created by a 32gr .204 bullet is much more spectacular though.



I'm told winter WILL end soon........ (It can't come soon enough for me!)

[RAMOS]

I got my first ground squirrel of 2012 on February 18th. I always shoot the first one I see each year. After that, I take a break and let them raise their babies. Our populations are nothing like they are in Ricks neighborhood where they have a huge impact on crop production. If any of them would have come out this last Saturday around here, I don't think they would have touched ground until somewhere over Idaho! Of course, this type of wind storm usually is a sign of Spring approaching our area. Snow this morning, should warm up by mid-week.

[Rick in Oregon]

Snow this morning, should warm up by mid-week.

Promise?

The rats don't seem to mind a bit of snow; more opportunities for snow painting. You're spot-on in regard to the snow though Ramos...happens every year. I remember waking up at the ranch two years ago at the END OF MAY, and had 5" on the ground, and coming down hard. Rats still died the entire weekend though.

But hey, it's still winter! Plenty of time for spring green-up, but snow just isn't the best motivator for shooting squirrels.

[RAMOS]

Promise?

Sorry, no-can-do! The forecast was made by the "Weather Guesser" on MSNBC. Still, we can hope!

[Bodei]

We're supposed to get the big snow here on Wednesday (over a foot). Gives me a reason for more reloading and case prep. We definitely need the moisture to help fatten up skippy when the sun comes out again. This has been the driest winter since I've lived in the Sierras (12 years).
Maybe we can make some red snow cones this year like Rick did