If you have ever been Squirrel hunting in your own basement, you might be a Streatorite.
OK, OK, I am actually from South Streator.
A few years ago, on a cold Winter's day, I left my back door open briefly as I backed my car up to the open door. I keep some stock down in my basement that I wholesale and needed to load up for my day's journey. More specifically, I kept some cases of NUTS down there, you know, tube nuts. Various varieties of peanuts, cashews, etc that usually retails for a dollar and is single serve.
Well this particular day was very cold, and had a little snow cover. I went downstairs to toss up a few boxes that I needed for my day's work when all of a sudden, to my horror facing me in MY BASEMENT was a squirrel!
He has heat, he has a roof over his head, and a lifetime supply of NUTS.
He aint leavin'.
What can I do?
The first thing that comes to my horror stricken mind is to grab my old pellet gun. The walls are brick and if I can get a clear shot at him, I will pop him. I was feeling a lot like Elmer Fudd only minus the flannel checked hunting cap. I think he was even more terrified than me, because he was hiding quietly.
I HAD to go run my route, but I couldn't just leave that little rat with a fluffy tail in my basement either.
I shut all the doors, hoping he would not gain access to the main level of my home and off for work I went.
At the end of the day, I stopped by Farm and Fleet to buy a livetrap for him.
I went home, baited the trap with peanutbutter and drifted off to an uneasy sleep fearing a wakeup kiss from that furry little bugger.(what if he opens that door, runs up the stairs and snuggles in with me)
I tell you, they are cute little creatures, but not when they are in your house!
The next day, I awoke to my nemesis safely in his livetrap cage. He didn't look so menacing now, he actually looked vulnerable and wanted to take pity on him. Should I release him in my own back yard? Do Squirrels actually have enough brainpower to remember a nice warm basement and how to get in? If he does, he may be wary of getting caught in a cage a second time. If I release him out in the country or a park, he may not know where a supply of nuts are buried. (do they actually KNOW where they bury them, or do they just sniff them out) It was very cold out and I took pity on the now defenseless looking critter. I released him in my back yard and he made a beeline for my neighbor's tree.
He never got into the basement again, but has made for a story to tell about squirrel hunting in your own basement.
Please feel free to contribute any amusing or humorous stories as you see fit.
