beautiful squirrels

[archer wapiti]

I'd eaten a couple of these guys over the years I picked up as roadkill, but yesterday I took it upon myself to go explore a new mountain and get some food in the process.
Here's the result.

 

[p_ham]

Those are pretty. Do you know what species they are? Don't say squirrel!

 

[archer wapiti]

They're Abert's Squirrels. Tassel-eared squirrel is another name. The most common large tree squirrel here in NM. Red squirrels are as common, but are a higher elevation replacement (generally speaking).

 

[p_ham]

Thanks. While in Germany i would always see red squirrels with big ear tufts like that also. Cool lookin critters.

 

[Eric.MN]

Squirrel hunting is always a good time. Never seen a squirrel like that tho, those are nice looking critters.

 

[1_pointer]

VERY COOL!! Thanks for sharing! I have a list of the species for the "squirrel slam" and am hoping to starting whittling away at it sometime in the future.

 

[archer wapiti]

Glad to share. Some populations in New Mexico have completely black bellies as well. I think some also lack the black sides altogether. Neat animals.

1_pointer, how many species on that list?

 

[Walkathon]

Interesting looking squirrels- I've never seen that type before and didn't know they existed. Thanks for sharing

 

[NoWiser]

Those are cool! I'd love to hunt them!

 

[1_pointer]

Glad to share. Some populations in New Mexico have completely black bellies as well. I think some also lack the black sides altogether. Neat animals.

1_pointer, how many species on that list?

The list I have came from a F&S article about a guy who completed it and has 8 species on it.

 

[JohnCushman]

That's a whole lot of yummyness

 

[Nate Mode]

All this thread needs now is some dueling banjos.

 

[brownbear932008]

Gravy is all I can think about.....

 

[noharleyyet]

Good sized and unique characteristics. Ours look like mangy tailed mice..destructive mice.

 

[Chad Gus]

I show this to my son and he's gonna be begging me to take him to New Mexico. He's obsessed with squirrel hunting

 

[archer wapiti]

I show this to my son and he's gonna be begging me to take him to New Mexico. He's obsessed with squirrel hunting

come on down! let me know when you're coming, as long as it's not during September...

 

[JTHOMP]

Very beautiful animal! Thanks for sharing

 

[sigpros]

Those are neat looking for sure

 

[WalkingBird]

Nice! I've been telling the gf that I need to get up into the hills after some Abert's, have you ever gone after the Kaibab color phase/subspecies (I ain't sure which it is)?

 

[Gerald Martin]

Those are cool looking squirrels. I like the idea of a squirrel slam! I've eaten lots of eastern greys, fox squirrels and western red squirrels in my time. Delicious.