OK, Birdwatchers...what's going on?

[TSO]

I experience the same things regarding sunflower seeds... we've learned to run 80% or more straight sunflower seeds. Otherwise, they pick everything else out and scatter it on the ground.

I remember last year, there was a period where we ran out of straight sunflower seeds and used the other mix we had left, which barely had any sunflower seeds in it.

The birds seemed disgusted! Lol, they literally stopped coming until we brought back the sunflower seeds.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I experience the same things regarding sunflower seeds... we've learned to run 80% or more straight sunflower seeds. Otherwise, they pick everything else out and scatter it on the ground.

I remember last year, there was a period where we ran out of straight sunflower seeds and used the other mix we had left, which barely had any sunflower seeds in it.

The birds seemed disgusted! Lol, they literally stopped coming until we brought back the sunflower seeds.

So that's where they learned it!!!! :laughing:

 

[/pine]

My biggest problem is squirrels, I kill them year round

Shooting game out of season is criminal...your problem is YOU...!

 

[lockhaven]

only good squirrel is a dead squirrel, death to the vermin

 

[2LaneCruzer]

only good squirrel is a dead squirrel, death to the vermin

Better be careful! When the economy goes into the tank, we may have to harvest those little tree rats to put meat on the table. And they are good, believe me, fried with fried taters and gravy. You could have that every other day exclusively, and get your calories and allotment of fat.

 

[lockhaven]

I am fully aware of the tasty tree rat, I can skin them fast without any hair on their little bodies, then into the pressure cooker. i was just responding to the foolish criminal accusation:confused2:

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I am fully aware of the tasty tree rat, I can skin them fast without any hair on their little bodies, then into the pressure cooker. i was just responding to the foolish criminal accusation:confused2:

Well, I was just kidding you; no admonishment intended. However, if you can skin them without any hair, you must be very experienced. I'll never forget the first one I skinned; it had almost as much hair on as it did before I started. The way I do it, it's MUCH easier if you have two folks...preferably strong...to do it. I would be interested in hearing about your method.

 

[lockhaven]

easy 2Lane, first cut is across the tail. under side right up against the back legs. cut through the bone being careful not to cut the tail off. You will notice a white leader on each side running against the hide. Cut each leader. Now take the squirrel by it's hind legs put your foot on the tail right up against the body. Pull on the hind legs the hide will pull off the back leaving a "V" shape of hide on the belly with the point of the V pointing to the head. Pull the hind legs until the hide is off the shoulders. Now while keeping your foot on the tail grab the point of the V on the squirrels belly, now pull it up and off the hind legs. At this point the squirrel is naked and stretched between the two pieces of hide. I usually at this point hang him on a wire fence and wipe any hair off my hands. Since both pieces of hide are turned inside out you can grab it and pull the front legs the rest of the way through the hide and chop off the front feet now just cut off the back feet and gut him. only takes a couple of minutes, once you get used to doing it a minute or less.
The hair problem is no more. My Grand Mother loved my squirrels it seems my great grandfather was not good at skinning and she had to scrape the squirrels before cooking, that was her job. My family lived off squirrel and rabbit, deer were not around here at that time. Now the deer out number the rabbits, I skin deer in a similar fashion except I pull their hide with my loader bucket.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I couldn't quite figure out what you were doing, until I found this video. This seems to be exactly what you are talking about:

How To Skin A Squirrel In One Minute - YouTube

My Dad taught me to cut through the skin of the back, insert my fingers and pull both ways, like removing a shirt and a pair of trousers. Takes lots of strength, that's why it usually takes two people. I like your method a lot better.

 

[weedsportpete]

When the price of black oil sunflower seeds went up last summer/fall, we switched from Royal Wing Black Oil (Tractor Supply) to some other brand of black oil (Countrymax). The number of birds dropped off by about 80%, especially the cardinals. We used to see them every day, sometimes three or four males. Now we don't see any, not for over a month. Waiting to finish this bag and then switch back. Or if I get impatient I'll throw out whats left and buy a bag right away. I just know my neighbor is stealing my cardinals..