Via the North Jersey Media Group…

Jerald Fagliano, project manager with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, said game animals are safe, but residents should avoid wild carrots. His statement clarified a state health warning about eating squirrels that was issued in January, based on the EPA report of high levels of lead in a squirrel tested in October 2006. That advisory will now be rescinded, said Ken Petrone, the state Department of Environmental Protection’s case manager for Ringwood.

As Rachael Ray says about everything that she eats (regardless if she really likes it), Yum-O!

Via The San Mateo Daily Journal

Squirrels that can carry the bubonic plague are burrowing into Foster City levees, leaving the city no other choice but to poison them — at least according to the Department of Public Works.

…

The eradication may be cruel to squirrel lovers, but simple for those thinking of the harm they create. Tiny blue poisonous pellets will be spread around the squirrel burrows. The squirrels will eat the pellets, get sleepy and — in theory — go back into their burrows to die. The city will monitor areas around the burrows to make sure squirrel carcasses are not present. If they are, the company the city contracts with will have 72 hours to remove the dead squirrels, according to last night’s report to the City Council.

And I’m sure that the PETA protest will begin shortly.

“A contraceptive product would remove the threat of red squirrel extinction,” said Dr Michael Carey. “We first have to get it developed and then get it fed to the grey squirrels, who have the breeding capacity of rats. “We don’t want to see grey squirrels eradicated, just their number brought under control.”

…if left unchecked the grey squirrel population could also affect the timber industry given its ability to remove vast amount of bark from trees.

The first grey squirrels to arrive in Ireland are thought to have been six brought over from England as a wedding present in 1911.

Man am I glad nobody gave me squirrels as a wedding gift. And who invited that person?

Read the article at BBC News.

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Some people might think Mary Nacey’s devotion to her foster pets is a little nutty, but the Northern California woman says that mothering abandoned baby squirrels is a privilege that comes naturally.

Mary Nacey said that even though the job is time-consuming, she would rather stay home and watch the squirrels grow than go out for dinner or a movie. When the babies go, she misses them.

Does Kathy Bates’ character in the movie Rat Race come to mind to anyone else?

Read the entire article at Yahoo! News.

OHIO - A squirrel in a transformer knocked out the power Sunday morning to two Mitchell Road residences.

“The power went out at 11:45 a.m. and was restored by 3:10 p.m.,” said Kevin Hall, director of engineering for Dayton Power & Light.

If you’re a squirrel hunter who prefers a shotgun instead of a small caliber rifle, it should be noted that Winamac does not have a shot restriction on shotgun shells. Of course, what type of gun you use is a matter of choice. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. This writer prefers a .22 in long rifle with a descent scope. This is because a scope helps in low-light conditions (i.e., in the deeply shaded woods before the leaves come off) for allowing pinpoint shooting.

Squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce people, especially children, to the sport of hunting.

“By and large, the squirrel hunting here at Winamac is underutilized; there’s an awful lot of opportunity for it,” Despot said.

For more information on Winamac FWA, call (574) 946-4422.

…man, oh, man we just can’t wait!!! Grab your guns and little ones and head on out for a good ole’ time!

[Read the full article at Indiana Game and Fish.]

BERLIN (Reuters) - An aggressive squirrel attacked and injured three people in a German town before a 72-year-old pensioner dispatched the rampaging animal with his crutch.

Continue reading at Reuters.