Squirrel Tail Bounty

orchidhunter · March 16, 2009, 01:14 PM

Sheldons', Inc.(Mepps) www.mepps.com will pay up to 26 cents for each tail, depending on quantity and quality. If you would like to exchange the tails for Mepps lures, their cash value is doubled.
Mepps is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. They do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails.

It is illegal to sell squirrel tails in the states of CA, ID, OR and TX. orchidhunter

Creature · March 16, 2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Mepps is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table.

Do they ask for proof....like dirty dishes or table scraps?

hogdogs · March 16, 2009, 01:25 PM

Do they want them de-boned? Or leave the bone in?
Packing and preservation?
Brent

orchidhunter · March 16, 2009, 01:34 PM

Brent, Tails are best on squirrels taken after October 1st.

Do NOT remove the bone from the tail. Deboned and split tails have no value.

Salt the butt end of the tail generously. Use either dry salt or dip in a strong saltwater solution.

Be sure the tail is straight before drying. Tails that dry in a curled position cannot be used.

Keep tails away from flies. Best storage is in a freezer. Do not send tails that have been exposed to flies.

Do not put tails in a plastic bag for storage or shipment. They could heat up and spoil.

The best time to ship is during cold weather months (Jan, Feb, & Mar). Dried squirrel tails may be shipped anytime.

Put your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and tail count inside each package.

Send your tails to:

Sheldons', Inc.
626 Center St.
Antigo, WI 54409-2496

pmeisel · March 16, 2009, 09:14 PM

I remember reading about this years ago. Glad to know it's still on....

troy_mclure · March 17, 2009, 01:34 AM

my dad has received a good many muskie lures thru this program(not to mention many meals of squirrel & rice)

rem870hunter · March 17, 2009, 06:01 AM

too bad i did'nt see or hear about this a few months ago. i do have 1 tail,but i didn't salt it or the end. its in a ziplock bag,sealed up good. do they accept deer tails too??

Double Naught Spy · March 17, 2009, 06:40 AM

Here is the actual link. http://www.mepps.com/squirrel_tail_program/

A whole 26 cents a tail max? How many dozen tails do you need to get the economies of scale to offset hunting costs, storage/refrigeration, shipping, and packaging?

They call it recycling? LOL! If the first cycle of use of the tail is on the squirrel, then recycled for use as fishing lures, then I guess every time I eat a steak, I am recycling. First it was muscle for the cattle, now recycled as food for my stomach.

I think Mepps is confused. They aren't recycling, but cycling.

troy_mclure · March 17, 2009, 04:40 PM

well, as an alternative to just throwing them out, its pretty good.

treg · March 18, 2009, 09:10 PM

Many a rainbow and brown trout have found thier way to my grill due to this program.
I take the 2x value on lures.

Gbro · March 20, 2009, 09:48 AM

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bounty
Defines Bounty as;
1: something that is given generously2: liberality in giving : generosity3: yield especially of a crop4: a reward, premium, or subsidy esp. when offered or given by a government: as a: an extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services b: a grant to encourage an industry c: a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals d: a payment for the capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlaw.

Your use of the word "Bounty" is not appropriate to this program according to the information in the program.

Quote:

Mepps is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. They do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails.

So I therefore have a question;
Who eats Red Squirrels?
When I am attempting to eradicate those noxious animals from my little retreat on the lake, Table Fare is not even considered. Granted a starving man will eat what he can and I have had a hunger pain or 2 in my life, but Red (pine) Squirrels:barf:

Quote:

For all good quality tails we pay the following:
# Gray, Fox & Black Squirrel Tails
# under 100--16¢ each
# over 100--19¢ each
# over 500--21¢ each
# over 1000--22¢ each
# Premium Tails
# under 100--20¢ each
# over 100--23¢ each
# over 500--25¢ each
# over 1000--26¢ each
# Red Squirrel Tails *
# under 100--8¢ each
# over 100--9¢ each
# over 500--10¢ each
# over 1000--11¢ each
*Hair at the base of the tail must be at least 1" long.

I would think a Red Squirrel would command a much higher price if the program did in fact believe in their policy

hogdogs · March 20, 2009, 10:03 AM

Gbro, Many folks love the meat of red and grey squirrel as a delicacy. I know upwards of 50 guys personally that absolutely love tree rat meat. Some swear by a crock pot stew while others prefer the gumbo and some actually soak it in butter milk and batter fry it. I personally use them for snake fodder and dog treats...
But I do not know any guy with 100 let alone a thousand tails layin' around...
Brent

UniversalFrost · March 20, 2009, 10:07 AM

mepps and some of the others have been at this for a long time. some also buy the turkey and pheasant feathers as well.

I used to sell mine to them as a kid and stock up my tackle box. nowdays I keep them and tye my own flys with the feathers and fur.

and yes, squirrel is some good eating in a slow cooker with potatoes, celery, onion and some gravy. Also good on a rotisserie.

RamSlammer · March 20, 2009, 10:25 AM

Used to cull tree rats from a commercial pecan grove . . . those were some good tasting pot fare, better than acorn fed and definitely better than pine fed squirrel. The Mepps program has been going for years and I hope it never ends!

Gbro · March 20, 2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Hogdogs posted;
Gbro, Many folks love the meat of red and grey squirrel as a delicacy.

I am referring to RED (pine) Squirrels.
I have eaten my sufficiency and sir-fanciful of Gray Squirrels.
Thank You.

hogdogs · March 20, 2009, 02:14 PM

I must admit stupidity as I am not sure what a red squirrel is... When a child drug up north to michigan we hunted for "Red Fox squirrels" but I wasn't in an inner city junk yard...

I will research the reds for info... To me a rodent is a rodent and won't go out of my way convincing Mrs.hogdogs that it is okay for Junior to store them in her fridge nor use her crock pot to cook them... I would eat a roof rat as fast as a tree rat if I was hungry though!:barf:
Brent

March 16, 2009, 01:14 PM	#1
orchidhunter Junior member Join Date: December 1, 2008 Posts: 320	Squirrel Tail Bounty Sheldons', Inc.(Mepps) www.mepps.com will pay up to 26 cents for each tail, depending on quantity and quality. If you would like to exchange the tails for Mepps lures, their cash value is doubled. Mepps is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. They do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails. It is illegal to sell squirrel tails in the states of CA, ID, OR and TX. orchidhunter

March 16, 2009, 01:34 PM	#4
orchidhunter Junior member Join Date: December 1, 2008 Posts: 320	Brent, Tails are best on squirrels taken after October 1st. Do NOT remove the bone from the tail. Deboned and split tails have no value. Salt the butt end of the tail generously. Use either dry salt or dip in a strong saltwater solution. Be sure the tail is straight before drying. Tails that dry in a curled position cannot be used. Keep tails away from flies. Best storage is in a freezer. Do not send tails that have been exposed to flies. Do not put tails in a plastic bag for storage or shipment. They could heat up and spoil. The best time to ship is during cold weather months (Jan, Feb, & Mar). Dried squirrel tails may be shipped anytime. Put your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and tail count inside each package. Send your tails to: Sheldons', Inc. 626 Center St. Antigo, WI 54409-2496 Last edited by orchidhunter; March 16, 2009 at 03:10 PM.

March 16, 2009, 09:14 PM	#5
pmeisel Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 271	I remember reading about this years ago. Glad to know it's still on.... __________________ Paul

March 17, 2009, 01:34 AM	#6
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	my dad has received a good many muskie lures thru this program(not to mention many meals of squirrel & rice) __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

March 17, 2009, 06:01 AM	#7
rem870hunter Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: N.J. and trying to decide what state to move to. Posts: 973	too bad i did'nt see or hear about this a few months ago. i do have 1 tail,but i didn't salt it or the end. its in a ziplock bag,sealed up good. do they accept deer tails too?? __________________ BEAR Bows,Remington shotguns,Marlin rifles

March 16, 2009, 01:25 PM	#3
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Do they want them de-boned? Or leave the bone in? Packing and preservation? Brent

March 17, 2009, 06:40 AM	#8
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,716	Here is the actual link. http://www.mepps.com/squirrel_tail_program/ A whole 26 cents a tail max? How many dozen tails do you need to get the economies of scale to offset hunting costs, storage/refrigeration, shipping, and packaging? They call it recycling? LOL! If the first cycle of use of the tail is on the squirrel, then recycled for use as fishing lures, then I guess every time I eat a steak, I am recycling. First it was muscle for the cattle, now recycled as food for my stomach. I think Mepps is confused. They aren't recycling, but cycling. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange Last edited by Double Naught Spy; March 17, 2009 at 06:48 AM.

March 17, 2009, 04:40 PM	#9
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	well, as an alternative to just throwing them out, its pretty good. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

March 18, 2009, 09:10 PM	#10
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	Many a rainbow and brown trout have found thier way to my grill due to this program. I take the 2x value on lures. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

March 20, 2009, 10:03 AM	#12
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Gbro, Many folks love the meat of red and grey squirrel as a delicacy. I know upwards of 50 guys personally that absolutely love tree rat meat. Some swear by a crock pot stew while others prefer the gumbo and some actually soak it in butter milk and batter fry it. I personally use them for snake fodder and dog treats... But I do not know any guy with 100 let alone a thousand tails layin' around... Brent

March 20, 2009, 10:07 AM	#13
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	mepps and some of the others have been at this for a long time. some also buy the turkey and pheasant feathers as well. I used to sell mine to them as a kid and stock up my tackle box. nowdays I keep them and tye my own flys with the feathers and fur. and yes, squirrel is some good eating in a slow cooker with potatoes, celery, onion and some gravy. Also good on a rotisserie. __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green Last edited by UniversalFrost; March 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM.

March 20, 2009, 10:25 AM	#14
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	Used to cull tree rats from a commercial pecan grove . . . those were some good tasting pot fare, better than acorn fed and definitely better than pine fed squirrel. The Mepps program has been going for years and I hope it never ends!

March 20, 2009, 02:14 PM	#16
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I must admit stupidity as I am not sure what a red squirrel is... When a child drug up north to michigan we hunted for "Red Fox squirrels" but I wasn't in an inner city junk yard... I will research the reds for info... To me a rodent is a rodent and won't go out of my way convincing Mrs.hogdogs that it is okay for Junior to store them in her fridge nor use her crock pot to cook them... I would eat a roof rat as fast as a tree rat if I was hungry though!:barf: Brent

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