Update: Earle the Squirrel......

[haystax]

I have just one question - Do you have a job?

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by haystax

I have just one question - Do you have a job?

Of course.

[highlandcruzer]

I think this is just the coolest thread ever. Flint, you are a man after my own heart! [not in a ghey way. ]

You do give hunters a good name! I've found, and I'm sure you already know, most of us hunters are true nature lovers and conservationists. We really appreciate the natural world around us. Our enjoyment comes from being in touch with, and a part of, the "circle of life", not from "killing". It's a shame that more anti hunters just don't understand this. It took a while for my wife to really get it. It seemed contradictory to her at first: The love of nature with the hunting.

I too have rescued/raised all types of wild critters. I had a Cardinal once that I raised from a small chick. It would come to my call from long distances and land on my wrist. I really miss that little bird. Squirrels, birds, possums, coons, deer,etc. I've raised them all! In my view, there's not much better life than to experience something like that, and to see them go free and thrive.

This brings back fond memories. Thanks for sharing!

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by highlandcruzer

I've found, and I'm sure you already know, most of us hunters are true nature lovers and conservationists. We really appreciate the natural world around us. Our enjoyment comes from being in touch with, and a part of, the "circle of life", not from "killing". It's a shame that more anti hunters just don't understand this. The love of nature with the hunting.

Spot on Sir!

[flintknapper]

Earle's daily exercise (tree climbing) is really starting to pay off.

He has put on quite a bit of much needed muscle in the last week. In this pic. you can see how his "forearms" are beginning to develop. If he keeps this up....he'll soon be the "Squirrelinator".


Of course...he wants to "mock fight" everything he comes across now (lots of energy).


But he does have an affectionate side too (he just doesn't show it very often).

[chukardog]

damn, this is the coolest thread ever!!! nice work. Earle is a cute little fawker ain't he?

[TJDIV]

better than TV. good job Flint.

[alex e]

I smell a reality show here.......

[flintknapper]

Well…..Earle keeps learning (and I along with him). Earle is almost completely “weaned” off of his milk now. His diet now consists of Apples, Banana, Seeds and Nuts…along with the other things he finds to eat on his own such as (lichen on the tree bark, small shoots on the ends of branches and some berries).

Lately, I’ve been concerned that I’ve never seen Earle “drink” from his water dish….so I threw some of his sunflower seeds into it (he loves his seeds). This pretty much made him “bob for seeds” which really irritated him….but I’ll be darned if he didn’t start lapping up the water. Pretty funny to watch him “complain” with a sharp “Chut…Chut..” every time he touched his nose to the water.

He finally figure out he could reach in with his paws to retrieve the seeds….which is fine with me…since he has learned to drink now.




Earle is completely free to come and go from his cage as he wishes (weather permitting)…and he now spends the bulk of his day racing up and down the tree. Juvenile squirrels have a LOT of energy and it’s a good thing he is in a big tree or he would have already worn the bark off of it.

Towards late afternoon Earle will usually find a big wide limb to rest on… or will sometimes nap in his nest…as he was doing here (before I woke him).



It is interesting to watch his “instincts” begin to show. He has a very strong desire to “shell” his food….and much prefers seeds and nuts to anything else.

He gets kind of mad when I give him peanuts though... because it takes so long to shell them compared to the sunflower seeds. Of course, the reward is greater (but he hasn’t thought of that).

He will also take any “excess” food and bury at the base of the tree….another good instinct!

Gradually…he is learning to become more self sufficient. It will take time, but I believe he will learn all he needs to know in the coming months.

The last thing I want…is for him to be a “welfare” squirrel, dependent on me.

I am concerned about socialization though. I have seen virtually no other squirrels around when I leave him alone.

I guess the activity around the tree is keeping them away.

Earle really, really, likes to play at this stage….but I am forced to make him spend most of his time alone (for his own good).

Kind of sad…because he’s a really nice squirrel.

[Skillet]

This squirrel intrigues me...

[Gundy]

Earle is a trip. I've really enjoy this thread. Thanks!

[Spud]

Great stuff...

So, that looks an awful lot like poison ivy on the big tree. Tell me it is'nt though, right?

[Skillet]

How does the wife feel about Earle's affection?

[BeefBarley]

Originally Posted by Skillet

How does the wife feel about Earle's affection?

she is use to squirrel nuts...

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by BeefBarley

she is use to squirrel nuts...

Take it to chat, beef pusher.

[BeefBarley]

Originally Posted by Skillet

Take it to chat, beef pusher.

oh come awn Francis.....you lobbed one and i hit it.


although, i do enjoy this thread tremendously..

[nat]

Cute little squirrel! Nice job.

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by Spud

Great stuff...

So, that looks an awful lot like poison ivy on the big tree. Tell me it isn't though, right?

Spud you are the first to notice (or at least say anything).

Yes, it is Poison Ivy. It doesn't seem to bother Earle...and so far he hasn't tracked any onto me.

I will chop it down this fall...but right now it makes good cover for him.

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by Skillet

How does the wife feel about Earle's affection?

She's just glad "that rat" is finally out of the house.

Mrs. Flintknapper is none too fond of Earle. Poor Earle.

[highlandcruzer]

Yeah, I saw that too. The years have trained my eyes to spot that stuff pretty quick!!


I spent last summer removing a huge cluster of vines from a big maple in my back yard. The vine looked like a tree trunk, and was just about choking out the maple. I cut a sliver out at the bottom, and hooked a chain to the main vine and pulled it down with the fourty! It was huge! I took every precaution against touching it, gloves, washing etc., but still managed to get that shit on my arms and legs! [shiver]

[alex e]

I say Earle stays!

[tacobob]

Updates?

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by tacobob

Updates?

Well….Earle has become quite the accomplished climber. He can now “jump” from limb to limb and my fears of him falling are just about gone. It seems no matter how flimsy the limb…he always manages to get at least one claw into something.

He is not content to stay in his “Big Oak Tree” any longer and has made several forays into other nearby trees. He is also spending more time on the ground, which does worry me. He is most vulnerable then.

Our Border Collie has been watching him like a hawk…but I think he knows that if he attacks Earle that I will be digging TWO holes beneath the B.O.T.

Except to come down and feed or play….Earle pretty much stays up in his tree most of the day. He really hates being put back in his cage in the evening... and waits longer and longer each day to come down.

I am certain he is just about ready to “Solo”. In preparation for that….I have put a “top” on Earle's nest…just in case it rains (like today).








Earle is a very quick study…..and has already figured the best way to get in and out of it.

He is completely “weaned” now and will not take any formula. He has learned to drink water from his little water dish…and although he still relies on me for his food….he is definitely “foraging” on his own. So… soon I will cut back his rations by ½.

I’ll get some more pics. in the coming days for future posts here. Basically, he’s just a little bigger (lots faster and more aggressive).

He loves to “play” right now. Its funny to watch him jump, whirl, bark, and tear all around the tree. He will do the same thing on your shirt or pant leg too. Loves to “pick a fight” (mock of course), he is careful not to bite too hard.

Anyway, I have high hopes for a successful reintroduction into the wild for him (which is only 100 ft. from the side door of my house).

[tacobob]

That is really cool. Good luck Earle.

[flintknapper]

Well.....Earle elected to stay in his "nest" tonight (atta boy)!

I called to him right at dark. He looked out from his nest...chattered, but made no attempt to come down the tree.

So...this Earle's first night away from home. Goo