I will be going out Oct. 1st for squirrels. I am worried about fleas on the squirrels and because there is so many scavengers wh

[DranDran]

I will be going out Oct. 1st for squirrels. I am worried about fleas on the squirrels and because there is so many scavengers where I will be hunting I don't want to leave them and grab them later. Any way of keeping the fleas off me and my clothes/bag?

[ozarkghost]

Use a good repellent like premethrin, or deet. You might use some zip lock bags to store them temporally in until you can get them home, then lay them out to cool.

[jay]

I've hunted squirrels for 30 years and never had a flea problem, at least one I knew about. Is this really a problem?

[jhjimbo]

Ditto what Jay said.

[DranDran]

I just wanted to be sure because of the dogs around too, my aunt has 3 and I have 2 so I was worried about having a house full of fleas

[Hobob]

Never had a problem but use a plastic bag in your game bag if it is a problem

[buckhunter]

In Ohio fleas are a big problem with early season bushytails. I typically do not squirrel hunt until after a few frost. Some guys who hunt squirrel early season will skin and clean them directly after being shot and put them on ice.

[FirstBubba]

Once the host expires, the parasites jump ship pretty quickly.
Let your squirrels lay about 5 minutes. There will be no fleas.
Deer lice vacate the carcass within seconds once bloodflow stops.
No repellant necessary!

If you approach a downed game animal and it's still has parasites such at ticks, lice or fleas, the animal is not dead!

[DranDran]

I will be using a scoped 10/22 I know I will probably be going for head shots but will I damage much meat if I hit in the heart/lungs?

[RockySquirrel]

First Bubba adds a bit of wisdom. Give them a minute or two or 5 and then do what buck hunter said. Skin ‘em and put them on ice.

Last couple of years the !)@#&* ticks seem a whole lot hardier and to be living through the first frost. I was in a deer stand 2 years ago and it was 30 degrees and was a Disney land for deer ticks. Constantly brushing them off. I stayed in that area cause, the ticks had to be falling off of something. I reasoned that Deer had to be using it as a corridor and the ticks we falling off the deer. But still at 30 degrees and in the 20s at night, they shouldn’t be living that long. I was amazed they were alive and moving.

[DSMbirddog]

I have skinned and gutted my squirrels right after shooting them so no fleas or ticks. Besides they skin a lot easier when fresh and no mess when I get home.

[country road]

Carry a small butane torch and quickly scorch all the hair off the squirrel. Be careful not to cook the meat, but it's all right to singe the skin. No fleas or ticks, but it is a little pungent.

[country road]

Now, can I pull your other leg?

[DranDran]

Sure. Anyone got any recipes they like and mind sharing?

[ltk260]

Marinate in stallion dressing then sear the outside and finish them off on the grill.