I'm working a job where there is an absolute infestation of squirrels in their pecan trees. There problem is severe. New, underdeveloped pecans litter the ground so much that you literally can not take a step without stepping on broken, discarded or knocked out pecans. It's actually dangerous to sit under the trees for the falling debris bouncing off your head.

When I first got there, late in the afternoon, I counted no less than 14 squirrels in one tree.

I've got the okay to shoot them as well as trap them and have really been working on them with the shotgun. It didn't take them long to learn that gun, though. Now when I pull up in the driveway, just the sight of my truck sends them running.

Also it didn't take long for me to realize that the cage traps I set on the ground at the base of the trees were useless. The little fuzzy tailed tree rats are not traveling on the ground. They are running from limb to limb, a distance of more than 75 yards from the nearby woods, across the yard and entering the pecan trees up in the canopy.

That's when I got smart and started trying a different approach. My tube traps, secured high up on their travel branches are working. The trouble is, I don't have enough tube traps. Once back to the drawing board, I fashioned some trap holders from heavy gauge sheet metal to hold my 110 and 160 connibears. I cut some cob corn into short pieces, about 1 1/2 inches long and pushed them up one trigger wire. Then I wired the two trigger wires together to keep the corn from slipping off and smeared a little peanut butter on the bottoms. Then I screwed the trap holders to their travel branches and set my traps on them.

There are still more branches than I have traps to set on them but I am at least thinning the numbers.

Funny thing this morning. I pulled up and got out of my truck to see one running for his life, straight into one of my 160's.

By the end of this week, I'll have them thinned out to the point that I can collect all my traps and be done with it.

=WARNING=.... Be sure to check your rules and regulations to be sure this is legal where you are. And as always, be careful on top of that ladder! All the pecans on the plantation ain't worth a broken leg!

Ya, pecan trees are my favorite place to hunt bushytails in the early season. Squirrels go to pecan trees, like moths go to a light. LOL

Got any mink snares . Sounds like your getting them . Couldn't you wire your reg cage traps up in the trees . Pecan for bait . Set some traps in neary by woods .

Big mistake to use a shotgun in this situation. Been there and did that! I have found that full camo and an high power pellet rifle, (RWS 45) with sniper tactics will keep them setting for you, even if a little tail snapping nervous. I got so I could drop 4-6 at a time, then with a little slurpee break, and I could go right back to 'em. No neighbor complaints either.

I share and utilize the same tactic BigBob when necessary.

That sounds fun what is there a better way to sharpen your skills . Much better and cheaper than going to the range . I think a high power pellet gun makes a much better dispatch method than a 22 . Still run into safety zones of 450 feet here in Michigan . For target there is no safety zone only responsibility

Yeah, I got a pellet rifle just for this kinda thing. And it's a hoss of a little rifle, too!

But time is not in my favor, here. I've only got a scant few minutes in the mornings to run over there, blast what I can and check traps. With the shotgun, I dropped 7 within five minutes Saturday morning. Plus, when they are scatting through the limbs, I can hit those fast moving little targets a lot easier with the 20 gauge than with a single pellet.

I'm getting on top of them, though. 16 or more since the start Saturday morning.

And always remember if you hit some innocent bird that was just a bystander, you will probably get a job application from the New York City Police Department.

My efforts are obviously working.

Saturday, when I first checked this place, the tree tops were absolutely alive with movement. Every branch was shaking and stuff was dropping out of the canopy like rain drops. I counted 14 squirrels in one tree before I lost count and there were others already moving away before I could get them counted.

This morning when I first got there I had to sit for a moment to scan the tree tops before I could finally see three. Tomorrow, I plan to park my truck well away and slip up on them from the back side and see if I can pop those three and I'll be done.

I talked to Pesky and he thinks you should dress like a giant pecan.

I've always known that the best way to catch a squirrel is to climb a tree and act like a nut!

Good news!

After this mornings visit I'm down to only one squirrel left! I got two of the tree that I saw yesterday. If I get that one that's left tomorrow I will have cleaned them out. If I don't, then no big deal. One squirrel can't do that much damage anyway, right?

I'd get that last one. Just because it has avoided everything you have thrown at it. You don't want that one breeding. lol

Might need to take a metal detector and check the nuts for lead shot . Could build a blind

In your dreams! I promise there's more than one left, and others will soon move into the population void.

I'm claiming success and pulling out my traps tomorrow.

One squirrel was all that was spotted all day long yesterday and no mention of anything today. So, I feel that one squirrel, all by his lonesome, can't do too much damage.

Yeah, there are more to take their to fill the void, but for now there is one happy old lady, looking forward to actually getting a pecan this year.

Just passing by there today and decided, "What the heck. Let's just stop by and look."

I parked my truck well away from the place and slipped up on the pecan trees from behind and, HA! There he is! As I was between him and his escape route there was no where for him to go. He paused for just a moment to decide on a new route but that little split second pause was all I needy.

Even though it was a bit of a long shot for 7 1/2 shot, (a good 30 yards or better)he folded and hit the ground with a thump! I do love that little 20 gauge!

Now, quiet has fallen onto the pecan trees. No limbs shake and no debris fall out upon the head anymore.

There are plenty more squirrels in the area, but they will think twice before deciding on pecans for supper!

WTG!

For that much fun, you should be paying the customer! Good job.

I only wish there were those kinds of problems around here, I'd get with it!