Is it too late to release

[sassysquirrel]

I have 2 grays that I planned on releasing this fall - but because of rain and drastic change in temperature (couple of days in the 80's then 50's) - I have not released yet - they are in a release cage outside - they have been out in the cage for approx 1 1/2 months - they have been released a couple of times from the cage - but I put them back up - they just were released for a couple of hours
The temperatures here have been in the 80's to 33 (just 2 nights have hit the 30's) - we have crazy weather here - I had planned on releasing them before Thanksgiving - but it rained - and then temperature dropped and now rain - This weekend rain and Monday more rain - then drop in temps - in the 40's to mid 30's at night - I do have 4 nest boxes outside in the trees
I have released before but never at this time of year - We do not have hard winters here at all
Do you think it is to late to release? - Winters here do not hit us until late January - maybe - very rarely do we get snow - although sometimes we do
So - do you think it's too late to release - remember they are already outside in the release cage and have been for awhile
Oh - they are 17 & 18 weeks old - 2 males
I am overwintering 1 male gray - he was always small and not ready to be released - he is a little over 17 weeks old(**** he does not get along with the 2 males - so they are seperated)
I am very undecided as to what to do:dono

[sassysquirrel]

this is a chart of temperatures here
Table view of average temperatures by month


Dec Jan Feb March
Min 37.8 35.6 39.4 46.1
Avg 46.9 44.3 49.6 57.0
Max 55.9 53.0 59.7 67.8

[madtowntom]

I don't think temperature is the issue - it is much colder where I live and the squirrels do fine, assuming they have had adequate time to build solid leaf dreys or fine hollows in trees - and have figured out how to feed themselves. Are there leaves on your trees for them to build a drey? What would be their source of food?

[sassysquirrel]

Most of the trees still have leaves - and I would continue to provide food if they are able to find their way back to the release cage - I do live in a neighborhood - but there are at least 10 acres of woods directly behind our house
We have very mild short winters

[island rehabber]

I would go ahead and release them, absolutely. :thumbsup
I released up until Nov 10 here this year, and we have HARD winters although not nearly as bad as New England states get. Also, you are right there to keep an eye on them should they look hungry or hurt. Ideal situation -- go for it!

[pappy1264]

As stated, as long as they have already been outside (so they are acclimated to the weather), and they have the materials needed to build a nest (I would suggest you add some nest boxes on a few trees, just in case the day you release them) and continue to feed them, they will do just fine. Up here, I usually overwinter, as by the time they are old enough, the trees are barren. My summer releases are all still here, all come up everyday (all day!) for food, since we had no acorns here this year (tough year to be a released squirrel!) So it is your judgement call, but I think they would do just fine.

[stosh2010]

And like the commercial for Motel 6 says...
"We'll Leave the Light On For Ya "

[Pierre]

And like the commercial for Motel 6 says...
"We'll Leave the Light On For Ya "

:jump

[sassysquirrel]

Thank you everyone - just found out I will be going out of town this coming weekend - so I cant release until next Monday (1 week from today) - I hope that will be ok????? ---- But this does make me feel better - they are definitely acclimated to the weather - I do have several nest boxes already out and will be putting more
One of my concerns is that the other males may run them off - Will they still be able to make it back to the yard so they will be able to eat??????
And also the couple of times I have let the out in the yard - they do not stay together - 1 goes 1 way and the other goes the other
I am a worrier - just never released this time of year

[pappy1264]

If you truly are worried, and they are not going cage crazy, I also don't see harm in waiting. You need to do what you feel is right. I know about putting the squirrels first, but I also know the worry. You have to take everything into account. No one can say if they will be chased off, and it is unlikely they will stay together upon release, it is just how squirrels are. Do whatever works for ALL involved. JMPO.

[william norman mclean]

Go with your heart. As previously written, if they are not going stir crazy, why not wait awhile to ensure their safety. All is well when people like yourself show the care and love for our little tree friends.

I live up in Canada and this very reason is how I have a black male pet for the last two years and one month. I handled him to much over the first winter and now feel he is unreleasable. He is my friend and pet Rocky. He has a huge ferret pen and gets out for one to two hours a night with me. His disgression of course. Some nights he just goes back in the pen and waits for me to close and give a treat before retiring to his nest.

[sassysquirrel]

Again thanks everyone - I definitely want to release them - if no one thinks that it is too late - I think I am going to try to release them next Monday - I will worry no matter when I release - I always do - I am afraid if I overwinter them they will be hard to handle - they already refuse to be picked up and only tolerate me petting them - they are really healthy and already starting to have their winter coat
So that is my plan to release next Monday - I will hang at least 3 more nest boxes - I already have 4 out back - that I had put for my previous releases - but none of them made them their home - occasionally a wild will stay in one of the boxes
Thanks everyone - I just love this board - I have learned soooo much - and everyone responds sooooo fast - THANK YOU
I will let you know how it turns out

[Mads]

I think you are doing a fabulous job. With nest boxes out, they can't lose. they'll be fine....good job!

[sassysquirrel]

I did release my 2 big boys - they are doing great - they have been released over a week - Scrappy has stayed close to home - Huey is staying close but in the woods behind the house - Scrappy did come back and slept in his box in his cage the 1st night - but since then he is staying in the nest box that is attached high on the house - he does come and eat everyday (serveral times a day) Huey is staying in a nest box in the woods - he does not come in the backyard very much - but he will come to me if I walk in the woods and he is somewhere close
The very day I released the 2 boys one of my previous releases came and visited - I had not seen Squirm since early September - So it was a really good day - I am so HAPPY they are doing so good
I will post some pics of them later
Little Man is doing good - he is still very small compared to others his age - I am overwintering him - I also have decided to overwinter Judy (flying squirrel) she is growing and growing
The weather here has been crazy - today the temp was 62 and sunny - it looks like fall outside - we have some beautiful colored leaves on the ground

[Jackie in Tampa]

:thumbsup yeah!!!!
Glad to hear they are doing well...
it's a wonderful feeling...seeing them as sqs and still getting their love on occasion...oh lala!
Have fun baby sqs...
great job Sassy:bowdown :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Glad that they are doing so well. It's a difficult decision to overwinter or release. Overwintering can definitely take it's toll on these little ones. I worry about keeping them mentally, physically and emotionally healthy until release, but knock on wood so far mine are doing great in captivity. I keep telling them, it's only for a couple more months....I also make sure they don't see a calendar...:rotfl
And you got to see one of your buddies that you haven't seen since September....well that must have made you feel wonderful.
Great job, great update!!

[sassysquirrel]

Pics of Scrappy and the beautiful leaves that have fallen

[sassysquirrel]

All is still good - The boys are doing great - I don't see Huey very often - but I see Scrappy everyday - several times a day
Here are some pics of Scrappy