Eating Squirrels

[GoodOlRWS45]

I don't know much about eating squirrels, but would like to try them, since there are a lot in my local hunting areas.  Does it matter what kind of squirrels you eat?  What we have around here are Ground Squirrels.  Are there any health concerns, like parisites, or is there a certain time of year that is better for taking them?  

Sorry for the Newbie Question.

Thanks for the input.

[TexasShooter72]

Now, I can't say that I'm aware of any parasites(twitch twitch) but we've got alot of em' around here(cough cough).  They seem to love our pecan trees and nuts therein(hack hack).  I've eaten quite a few these(twitch) last few months.  It's been a good(cough) season for the buggers!  I usually BBQ em' up or smoke em' over oak.  You don't wanna(twitch twitch) over cook em' cuzz they'll get kinda(hack) tough.

I dunno, maybe someone will chime in who knows more than we do!

-Matt

[hodgjy]

I enjoy a good squirrel from time to time.  

The term "ground squirrel" can mean many things (sorry, I'm a biologist).  What size is this animal you're actually talking about?  Size has nothing to do with tastiness--just the amounts of squirrels needed to make a nice meal.  Gray squirrels are what I've eaten in the past, and they are larger than what I call "ground squirrels."  I thought they were quite tasty.  I made some stews out of them, and that tenderized them up nice.  I've also made some Shake n Bake squirrels, but they weren't all that tender.

I wouldn't worry too much about parasites if you cook the meat through.  Just give it a visual inspection after cleaning, and unless you see worms or flukes in the meat, cook them up and enjoy.  I'm a firm believer that wild game is cleaner and safer than the meat we buy in stores.

[shadow]

The nutter's around here have been bug free, the ground squirrel is a tad smaller if I remember right, still cookable. I alway's see the Chip and Dale guy's running around here but never bothered with em, need more meat hehehe. Ed

[GoodOlRWS45]

These squirrels I'm talking about are quite large, about 18-24 inches from nose to tail.  They are gray and brown in color, and I've never seen one in a tree, only running from hole to hole.  They don't stop moving long enough for me to take a pic, otherwise I would post it.  It's all I can do just to get a shot at them.  Sometimes I swear they can dodge my pellets.

[Progun]

Hey Jonathan, don't know about your CA squirrels but if they aren't tree dwellars and mast eaters they must not be grey or fox squirrels. Runnin' from hole to hole? Ground dwellars. Maybe gophers or some kind of ground squirrel or ferrets or prarie dogs? If they are on the chunky side, might be marmots. Grey and Fox squirrels have fed millions in this country for as long as there has been a country here.If you have them where you live, they will be safe to eat.

[longislandhunter]

I only have the grey squirrels by me but they are one of my favorite meals  :)

I also seem to have an awfully large number of chipmunks in my yard this year for some reason....  I've left them alone as they haven't been bothering anything that I can see but I have at times wondered what they might taste like.....   I remember reading somewhere in the past that American Indians in the northeast enjoyed their "earthy" flavor.  

I may have to try a couple some time just to satisfy my curiosity....

Jeff

[Arkansas Man]

I believe it's more like one before me said if the meat looks healthy it prabably is fine for consumption.  As far as preparation of the meat  i usually put it in the frige in salt water overnight which pulls all the blood out, then if i want to fry it i would boil it for a while till the meat tenders, ( unless the squirrel is a young one) then salt, pepper, and whatever spice that you prefer, then flour it place it in a greased pan add some potatoes and you got dinner.   Also, you can prepare the older ones as you would chicken and dumplins.  Squirrel is especially good that way, that's th eway my gradmother did it.  When i was a kid i would go to my grandparrents house and my grand dad always insisted we go hunting.   thanks   fb

[SDale]

i know exactLY which squirrels you're talkin about. In California there's a rule about eating squirrels. If they're in the trees, they're OK to eat. If they run from hole to hole on the Ground. Stay away from em.

Ground squirrels in CA still carry Bubonic Plague. It's actually not the squirrels that do, it's the fleas that they're infested with that carry the plague. Generally tree rats don't have the fleas & ticks that the ground pounders do so they're safe to eat.

I've got LOTS of Red Fox squirrels around here and they're TASTY!

[daveshoot]

Fox squirrels are the best. Used to cook 'em on a stick over the campfire with just pepper, salt, and garlic during the archery season in Michigan. I think they are much better than rabbit, and they are completely different meat.

I would not eat a ground squirrel from the San Joaquin valley on a bet, though. That is mostly what I shoot now and I bury them. Used to shoot down on a farm in Selma (CA) that had a large family of pit bulls. They would come runnin' for the jackrabbits I blasted, but they would not touch the ground squirrels, unless a pup chewed on one for teething.

[Jaymo]

Dave, check your PMs. I just sent you one. My apologies for the delay.
I've never had the opportunity to eat a fox squirrel. I like the grays, though, and so does my 9 yr old son.

[Jaymo]

Only thing I've found on the Grays around here is the occasional warble(bot fly larva). And that's only been on the ones in parks and in cities. Nasty little critter.

[GoodOlRWS45]

That's kind of the reason I posted this thread.  I was afraid there was something wrong with eating these squirrels.  Its a shame too, since they are quite large for squirrels.  oh well, at least they provide the fun of the hunt.

[ten4copy]

I live in CA and I love to hunt. Tree squirrel (Grey Squirrel) opens on the 2nd Saturday of September, so in a week... allowance is 4. There are tree squirrels all over the mountains... don't normally see them in the city. I wouldn't eat the ground squirrels or ground dwellers. The grey squirrels are very tasty btw.

-GB

[GoodOlRWS45]

ten4copy,  You've got PM.