Here is the plan... squirell food

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I have a red tail boa that EASILY eats the biggest rats I can find.

I also have an over abundance of squirrels that keep harassing my bird feeders despite my best efforts... and I believe one has moved into my roof.

So, my plan is to use a live trap to catch some squirrels... then euthanize them with my CO2 death box (that I normally use for rats). Then I figure I will vacuum seal and deep freeze them for a week or two to kill off any critters or bugs they might have. Then thaw and feed.

Anyone see any issues with this that I may not have thought of? Only thing I can think of is the remote possibility of an animal eating poison, then getting caught in my trap. I really think the odds of this being the case are slim to none... and I can always keep them alive in a cage for a day or two to make sure they are good.

[bsash]

The only thing I could think of is the fact it may be illegal to trap and kill them, and that they may be poisoned.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I have been trying to research the legality of it online and am not finding much. It looks like the use of poison outside would be illegal. It looks like using a live trap, then humanely putting them down is legal (based on what some say on various web sites) but I can't find any Florida laws to support it one way or the other.

[wolfy-hound]

There is normally a "squirrel season" in areas. So check the game laws for hunting. If squirrels have no bag limit, then you might be fine.
Nov 4- march 7 seems to be the Florida squirrel season? 12 per day(possession limit 24)
Prohibited methods for taking game do seem to include traps. But "furbearers" can be trapped using live traps.. are squirrels "furbearers"?

http://myfwc.com/docs/RecreationActi...egulations.pdf

I think that since squirrel is considered a game animal, the laws regarding hunting takes full precedence. But this is all just my best guess. Trapping squirrels to use as food may indeed be prohibited, even if they are nuisances.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Thanks for the link wolfy... I have been looking for that page for other reasons .

It clearly lists when you can hunt squirrels using weapons for sport... but I am sure somewhere there is a completely separate set of laws dealing with home pests, and their extermination. Can't find it though.

[wolfy-hound]

Nuisance wildlife and trapping. It doesn't seem to comment on squirrels and mentions licenses for trapping wildlife, so it might be best to contact and ask?

http://myfwc.com/License/Permits_NuisWild.htm

https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/View...asp?id=8392069

Which seems to state that nuisance wildlife may be trapped in live traps if the traps are visited more often than 24 hour periods, and may be euthanized within 24 hours in a humane manner approved by the authorities.

Hope this helped!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

after looking at that second link I am even more confused on the subject!

apparently if you do trap an animal it is illegal to move it somewhere else... and to commercially remove animals with a steel trap, you have to have a permit. So does that mean you DONT need a permit as a homeowner?

Wait, this seems to me to say it is ok...

"Nuisance wildlife is wildlife that...

* causes (or is about to cause) property damage,
* presents a threat to public safety, or
* causes an annoyance within, under or upon a building."

and


"With certain exceptions explained below, you do not need to notify or obtain FWC authorization to take destructive or nuisance wildlife from private property with the consent of the property owner. Likewise, property owners may take nuisance wildlife, as long as the animals are destroyed humanely. Relocating nuisance wildlife to another property is prohibited.

The exceptions apply to the taking of nuisance alligators; deer; bears; bats, most migratory birds, their nests or eggs; turkeys; bobwhite quail; or state-listed or federally listed species of special concern, threatened or endangered species. Additionally, anyone possessing or transporting live venomous reptiles is required to have a License to Possess or Exhibit Venomous Reptiles and/or Reptiles of Concern. "

[wolfy-hound]

Yep, the way I read it(which may or may not be accurate!) it seems to say you CAN trap nuisance wildlife(squirrels are wildlife) and humanely euthanize them. You wouldn't be able to trap and sell, or trap and keep.

The regulations are a bit convoluted!

[wilomn]

Sooooo, you're gonna trap these here squirrels ya say? Gonna do a humanity like job of it as well, ya say? Hmmmmm. Nuisance, yes, given that, they certainly are, and allowed to trap, yes yes, that's all good.....but, the .... shall we say expatriation... of these furry burritos, perhaps some .... discretion, as it were, in telling just who just what would serve you well in the long run. Providing of course that there IS a long run.

Does anyone really need to know what you're going to do with them? If no one needs to know, and someone knowing could just gum up the works in a fouler and stickier fashion than normal, why tell them?

Sure, if someone asks, don't lie. But why open that can of worms, the eventual and final stop of those fine and bushy tails, once they've been liberated from the problematic landlord/tenant relationship they've forced upon you, if it's not necessary.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

The regulations are a bit convoluted!

Yeah, as you know that is often the case in Florida...