SeeCalifornia.com

Squirrels are cute, little furry creatures that seem to live in harmony with humans, right?  Not always! In Santa Monica the city has tried to deal with squirrel overpopulation by introducing birth control. When I visited friends in Vancouver and joined their morning stroll, locals shared reports about an aggressive squirrel that terrorized the neighborhood and actually chased after people and pets! And in California’s farm country, squirrels are generally “pests” not quite as bad as the rodent overpopulation in Australia, but still worrisome.

One of the most unique events in California that was created to help  local farmers is held each year in  Northern California’s Shasta Cascade area. Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce (in Cedarville) hosts its 21st Annual Squirrel Roundup on March 22, 2012. The annual event is held each spring in an effort to help thin out this rodent population. Reservations are required and entry is limited to 100 people, though a lot more apply! If you don’t qualify this year, put it on your calendar for 2013.  Questions, call: (530) 279- 2001 or surprisevalleychamber.com

Rodents make up 40% of mammal species and are known for their sharp teeth that can gnaw through wood and other materials. In California, tourists are advised not to feed squirrels or try to pet them –most California rest stops post warnings that the squirrels carry diseases and contact should be avoided.  As seen in the photo, people tend to ignore such postings.

In California, you can only  hunt squirrel if you have a hunting license issued through  California Department of Fish & Game (dfg.ca.gov) and a place to hunt. During the Squirrel Roundup the participants contact local farmers to get permission to hunt on their land.  There is no age  limit for hunting, so you’ll see women & men bring their kids who have  hunting licenses to participate in the event.

Squirrel hunting is legal and falls under the category of  ‘resident small game’ that includes:  tree squirrels (genus Sciurus and Tamiasciurus),  wild turkeys, jackrabbits and varying hares, cottontail rabbits, brush rabbits, pygmy rabbits, Chinese spotted doves, ringed turtledoves, California quail, gambel or desert quail, mountain quail, blue grouse, sage hens and certain types of  partridges.