The Dangerous Lives of Squirrels

[vulpez]

Squirrels have been coming up a lot lately. I don't even remember where and how, but in a couple of the things I've been reading (either online or in dead tree) have brought up the question of: why don't you see any baby squirrels ever

Comments

[lordheadshot]

I once had a squirrel fall on my head. Of course, it was prompted out of its tree by a storm of #6 shot from my 20-gauge, and the aforementioned shot pattern also rained down upon my head. This is why I hunt squirrels with a shotgun instead of a rifle. #6 shot doesn't hurt coming down. .22s can kill.

But yes, I do like watching the little beasties. Sometimes when I'm home for deer season (when it is illegal to hunt squirrels), I'll be out in the woods, sitting in a divot in the snow and waiting for bambi, and watching all the cute little squirrels try to gather up their last batches of nuts for the winter. They are indeed cute, and tasty as well. I love squirrel pot pie.

[vulpez]

They're high in cholesterol, though.

[casabonika]

It's, ummm...the good cholesterol?

[phasedweasel]

That's why cousin Eddie doesn't eat them any more.

[lordheadshot]

I didn't know that. They don't have a lot of fat on them, at least not in the fall when I hunt them.

[zarquin]

Was this squirrel related to the rabid squirrel of legend? :)

[lordheadshot]

No, it was a different squirrel. It was much smaller than the rabid dire squirrel.

[lordheadshot]

And in truth, I'm pretty sure that rabid dire squirrels have fewer than three hit dice, because that one died from a single hit of my 2d10+1 (masterwork +1 damage bullets) Remington 788. Although, it must have had Endurance and Diehard, because the front half stayed alive for a few seconds.

Fortunately, my BAB is high, and I have Personal Firearms Proficiency and Point Blank Shot.