Dead squirrel in my sap bucket

[Tapping Wolf]

Dead squirrel drowned in my sap bucket today....any one else ever have this? I have some serious scrubbing today, I've been using the roof style lid...think ill switch to the flat lids

[325abn]

Seen moths, ant, wasp and other bugs but no mammals as of yet.


I wonder if it was food grade! :) :) :)

[happy thoughts]

Congratulations! :) You're the first this year. Expect the Maine vs Vermont jokes to follow :lol: It happens at least once a year on this forum. Toss the sap and say a few words over the squirrel. He probably died happy.

[Tweegs]

Nah, don’t toss the sap, just wring him out first then grill him up. :lol:

[Ed R]

They can get past flat covers as well. Was it a fox, red or flying? We've had all three.

[doocat]

dead squirrel = happy sugar maker! Tree Rats!!

[heus]

Red squirrel here 2 or 3 years ago. There were two fox squirrels on my pumphouse roof today. I think they were planning a hostile takeover.

[325abn]

I cant resist showing you all a few shots of my squirrel hunter, seems right on topic. One at age 4 with the red ryder and one with his .22 last year . The boy is a natual shot and very good. :) :)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/Noahshootandmove002.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/Land2010053.jpg

[Shawn]

Had deer run into the pipe line but no squirrels yet in buckets. Take it out, dont ring it out, gut it, skin it, roll in corn meal, slow cook on grill:cool:

[newman_maple]

I have squirrels everywhere, but never had one commit sappy suicide. I did get a mouse in a bucket a few years ago. I only have a few buckets now so my odds have decreased greatly.

[325abn]

I had a chipmonk once and it suvived!

[Dave Y]

it happens. just wring out the squirrel, boil the sap, and cook the squirrel

[Ausable]

Dead squirrel drowned in my sap bucket today....any one else ever have this? I have some serious scrubbing today, I've been using the roof style lid...think ill switch to the flat lids

Darn Kids - Ya tapped a Hemlock. Hemlock sap kills squirrels quicker then anything. Eastern Hemlock Bark looks a mite like Sugar Maple - always look up for ya tap a tree for the first time. ------Just Kidding - I never heard of that one before - But all these crazy things - add up to good stories in future years. Have a Great Year ------Mike------

[Indiana-Jones]

I think that there is going to be some dead squirrels here in our woods soon. I just got in from gathering and had 4 bags out of 50 with a bit out of the side.
I use to think bags where best, no washing or storing stacks of buckets. But after fighting ice in the bags, rodent damage, wind blowing the bags off and some bags just leaking at the seam. The 30 seconds to wash a bucket isn't too bad.

[jhd504]

I've had issues with bite holes in bags this season, too. Never had problems with this in my short 3 year sugaring career. I think some of those squirrels will be dying of lead poisoning (right in the head).

[Burnt sap]

Dave great minds think alike. Maple cured squirrel meat yum.

[MillbrookMaple]

Congratulations! :) You're the first this year. Expect the Maine vs Vermont jokes to follow :lol: It happens at least once a year on this forum. Toss the sap and say a few words over the squirrel. He probably died happy.

Gosh no one with the classic.
(State 1) Throws out the sap and rodent and cleans the bucket
(State 2) Throws out the rodent and Sap and hangs the bucket back up
(State 3) Throws out the rodent and keeps the sap
(State 4 usually Maine) Generally wrings out the Rodent Keeps the sap and cooks the rodent.

[happy thoughts]

LOL Thanks Millbrook! Now the cycle is complete :) All signs point to a great year!

[Dave Y]

Millbrook ,
I was going to go with that one, but I thought I would let someone else have it.