Let me introduce you to one of my other four-legged friends. This is Monty. Monty is our Zebrador. This is Mr. Mellow. This is Mr. Meek. This is the sweetest, kindest, wimpiest dog you could ever meet.
Today I discovered a different side of Mr. Mellow Monty.....I saw the Mr. Hyde side, and it wasn't pretty!
Meet Mr. Federation Squirrel. AKA: Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, striped gopher, pest, squinney, nuisance, leopard ground squirrel, PITA (pain in the a$$), #%(%#@$^.
Awwww, isn't he cute?!
Our sunshine and warmer weather has brought more than bursting buds and dandelions. We now have these critters scampering around our yard, road and pasture. They seemed to have enjoyed winter under the snow in their snug squirrel dens. Ma and Pa squirrel seemed to have raised a banner crop of younguns in their magnificent burrow systems. Burrows and horse hooves do not go well together. Being the animal-loving kind of person that I am, and also having found no other way to stop these critters, I have obtained a "Have-a-Heart" trap. I bait it with peanut butter and oatmeal which is apparently irresistible to these critters. Then, I take a jaunt into the country side and release the
pest cute little guy in open area, where hopefully, no one will care whether they have a new addition to their neighborhood!
So, today (Are you already predicting the gruesome story that is about to unfold? Have you put two and two together?) I saw a number of these guys scampering in Pippin's pasture. I set up the trap, and withing 15 minutes had myself a squirrel. Thinking about conserving gas, I
dumped carefully placed the first
victim cute, little guy, into my 'Homer' Bucket, and placed a basket over the top to keep him in.
I caught my second little guy within 30 minutes and was able to have him join his pal in Homer's bucket. Mr. Monty watched with interest. I went on about my chores, stepped out of the barn to find Homer on his side, and one (1) ground squirrel, rather maimed, in Mr. Monty Monster's mouth. One lucky guy evidently scampered to freedom. I turned my back, telling the monster to 'have at it', with only the slightest queasiness as I went up to have my PB & J sandwich.
Hmmm, maybe I can teach an old dog new tricks and I can dispense with being the middleman in this odd food chain!
Aww it's cute but darn! Throw moth balls into their dens they will scram quick.
ReplyDeleteHa! Let him earn his keep and save your horses' legs at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWe had one heck of a time with moles last spring...then my chickens discovered them. Did you know chickens will actively "hunt" moles? I know, incredible! No mole problems this year. None.
You are kind to trap them. My husband, who is not a hunter, turns into another man when he starts setting his traps (not the have-a-heart ones). He comes home from work and says, "I gotta go check my traps" like he's hunting bear or something big. I told him to do what he must, but I don't want to know about it. But he can't help bragging every time he gets one. The little critters are sooo cute, but do sooo much damage. I might have to try Sydney's mothball trick. Not sure Bella and Sadie would be has good a trapper as Mr. Monty. And I can't let them lose or they would end up in the next county.
ReplyDelete