SquirrelZilla -UPDATED WITH BETTER PICS-

[abqjoe]

So this is a ground squirrel that I have been calling SquirrelZilla for a few months now. He lives in my neighbors yard and never comes into mine, so I just leave him alone. Doesn't look like much in the pics because I took them at 35 yards with my phone but trust me, this squirrel has to be close to 10lbs. He's literally twice the size of the one I posted pics of last week and even that one was pretty good size and this guy dwarfs that one.
If he moves into my yard I may not shoot him because I kind of like him and respect him. He's old and big and idk, I guess he'd have to start tearing stuff up real bad. But it's almost like he knows he's safe as long as he doesn't come into my yard. I watch him out of my scope everyday and he just stands tall watching me back lol.

 

[L.Leon]

That is a big mofo! It’s cool that you are considering giving it a pass. It could be an old boar providing you with future generations of squirrels to shoot. It’s also presenting quite nicely for a head or vitals shot.

 

[Pale_Rider]

Holy carp that’s a monster sized squirrel! Could’ve been a stunt double for Punxsutawney Phil

 

[abqjoe]

That is a big mofo! It’s cool that you are considering giving it a pass. It could be an old boar providing you with future generations of squirrels to shoot. It’s also presenting quite nicely for a head or vitals shot.

Exactly my thoughts on both points. He's definitely the grand daddy on this block! And yeah, everyday he gives me opportunity for whatever shot I want. But I never take it because I feel it's disrespectful to shoot something in someone else's yard. Hell, even in my own yard I try to make sure it's on the ground so that my block wall is a backstop. But yeah, definitely thinking of giving him a pass because he's a pretty cool old guy. But in the heat of the moment you never know.....

 

[JimNM]

That is a big bull, for sure.

 

[Ranchibi]

Dang...he is BIG! Maybe he is a ground squirrel ghog hybrid! LOL! Nice of you to give the big guy a pass.

 

[Rodeo]

That big boy is not climbing out to the end of any tree branches.
Glad you're giving him a pass.

 

[rcs9250]

We’ll see how long you hold off when ground beef gets to 7 or 8 dollars per pound.

 

[HogKiller]

Interesting, I've never seen a ground squirrel climb.

 

[abqjoe]

Interesting, I've never seen a ground squirrel climb.

I never see them climbing tree's but they run up and down walls with ease.

 

[abqjoe]

So I got a better look at SquirrelZilla today through a pair of binoculars from within 20 yards and yeah, this guy is big and old. He's actually really cool! As I observed him, and he observed me lol, I couldn't help but notice how covered in scars he is! I mean this guy has probably survived cat attacks, dog attacks, hawk attacks, and maybe even escaped a coyote or two in his life. I'm gonna leave this one alone, I think he's earned it.

 

[JimD]

I'd pop him for sure if he came in my yard. I doubt he'll go 2 lbs, however. I've never weighed a grey squirrel much over a pound. I had one without a tail last year. Turned out to be a female. I do not know why it had no tail. It was harder to see without the tail but I eventually got her. She had a polymag 177 pellet under the hide in the rear. So she's been shot before but it had healed up. Maybe that shot went through the tail first or something.

I respect your decision to hold off, however. We don't have to take animals just because we can. I have a hawk scaring off the squirrels in my yard and I had an easy shot on it today but I passed. Isn't legal even if it is tempting.

 

[rcs9250]

I respect your decision to hold off, however. We don't have to take animals just because we can. I have a hawk scaring off the squirrels in my yard and I had an easy shot on it today but I passed. Isn't legal even if it is tempting.

Jim,
I respect that you didn’t shoot a hawk, they are incredible creatures. A friend is in to trapping and training hawks.
He told me about 60% of hawks don’t survive past their first winter because they don’t know how to hunt. He trains them for about six months or so and then sends them into the wild to live free.
I know what you mean regarding temptation. Often times I’ll see a blue jay or woodpecker while hunting. I’ll look at them through my scope but won’t pull the trigger, just want to get a good look and see how steady I can hold the rifle on the bird. Now if a starling or grackle happens to appear, that’s different.

 

[lbc_PSI]

I never see them climbing tree's but they run up and down walls with ease.

I had a permission with a downed 200 year old oak tree and an old dilapidated barn with a weather vane cupola on top. The CA ground squirrels actively climbed on the oak tree and all over the barn roof and cupola..until they didn't. ;-)

Definitely cool to see old battle-worn geezer squirrels.

 

[paogei]

They are very destructive, best of luck

 

[beerthief]

cool story . thanks

 

[abqjoe]

Alright, so I got some better pics of this guy with an actual digital camera (old one but better than my phone). Pics are from 35 yards and the pole that is right behind him is 14 inches tall starting at that block. Unfortunately he didn't show me the other side of his body which is where he is pretty scarred up.

 

[beerthief]

Fat old guy

 

[Rodeo]

SquirrelZilla or SquirrelRex?

 

[Ranchibi]

Those new pics really show how big and thick he really is! Thanks for taking the time to take the pics!