Ground squirrels damage many food and ornamental plants. Cereals, nuts and fruit trees such as almond, apple, apricot, avocado, orange, peach, pistachio, plum and walnut are particularly vulnerable. Shooting times for resident small game mammals, including tree squirrels during California`s squirrel hunting season, range from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. See 14 JRC § 310. Pressure exhaust systems that inject concentrated carbon monoxide into building systems are also legal in California. Among these devices, the PERC (Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Controller) machine has been extensively tested and has proven effective in managing Californian ground squirrels. Equipment that produces carbon dioxide for cave fumigation is currently awaiting registration in California and may soon be available. As with all construction fumigation applications, these devices are most effective in wet soil conditions. Effective management relies heavily on understanding the unique life cycle and behavior of the California ground squirrel. For example, baiting with processed cereals is effective in summer and autumn, since squirrels feed mainly on seeds during this period.
Fumigation of caves is most effective in spring, when moist soil helps seal gases in the building system. Fumigation at this time is also more effective in reducing the number of ground squirrels, as squirrels die before they can reproduce. In general, bows and arrows are allowed to hunt tree squirrels. Any type of boom can be used, except arrows with (1) light cams with a beam of light, (2) an explosive warhead, (3) tranquilizers or (4) poison. Traps are handy for management when squirrel numbers are low to moderate. Live traps are often not recommended because they pose the problem of eliminating animals. It is illegal to move wild animals into the state of California without a permit. Live caught ground squirrels must be released immediately onto the property where they were captured or euthanized by legal and humane measures. Euthanasia methods considered humane by the American Veterinary Medical Association include carbon dioxide gassing and shooting. Drowning is not an approved method of euthanasia and is illegal in California (see references). Do not shoot arrows from or over a highway, road, or place open to vehicles. In general, rifles and pistols are allowed to hunt tree squirrels.
Rifles and pistols are not permitted in: (1) Los Angeles County, (2) Picacho State Recreation Area, or (3) Providence Mountains State Recreation Area. See 14 CCR § 311(g) and 14 CCR § 311.6. Warning shot!!! There may be other restrictions on Crown lands. DEAR JOAN: I also have squirrels, many of them. But with me, it`s different – we love them. Ground squirrels are annoying harmful rodents for many home gardeners. California ground squirrels, Otospermophilus beecheyi and Otospermophilus douglasii, are the most common species in and around homes and gardens. The two are not usually referred to as separate species, so in this publication they are referred to as “California ground squirrels” or simply “ground squirrels.” I would call the local police about shooting houses and the possible cruelty to animals if he injured squirrels and left them to die; and I would call Fish and Wildlife to look into the possibility of him hunting out of season. There are several types of traps that kill ground squirrels, including box traps, tunnel traps, and Conibear traps. For box traps and tunnel traps, place them on the ground near squirrel caves or trails and bait them with walnuts, almonds, oats, barley, melon husks or other food sources that ground squirrels eat. Place the bait far behind the trigger or tie it.
After baiting the bait traps, place them for several days with unset triggers so that the squirrels can get used to them. Once the squirrels are used to taking the bait, reprimand and set the traps. Ground squirrels usually search near their burrows. Their home range is usually within a radius of 75 meters around their construction. Tree squirrels are different. The native western grey squirrel is classified as wild and can only be caught during the hunting season and with a hunting licence. Yensen E, Sherman PW. 2003. Erdhörnchen. Feldhamer GA, Thompson BC, Chapman JA (eds.). Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management and Conservation 2nd ed. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Baltimore, Maryland. Under California law, non-native Eastern Fox Squirrels can be captured and killed at any time, but the native gray squirrel has some protections. It is considered a wild animal and can only be hunted with a permit and during the hunting season from September to January. The baggage limit is four per day. In general, it is illegal to capture, possess or captivate wild mammals [including tree squirrels], wild birds, non-wild birds, non-wild mammals or fur carriers in the wild. There are exceptions to temporary placement for the purpose of treating an injury or illness. Warning shot!!! Call your local shelter. See FGC § 3005.5.
While we have created places where squirrels can live, we have made it more difficult to exploit their natural enemies.