If my two cents is worth .02, Id say no live trap either. They wear the nose off from rubbing back and forth along the cage. Id say either a 110 conibear, a big rat trap, or simply a .22 short or .410. I agree with you, its as nice to see alive, but come season, take your best shot. I personally would wait till late November when they have the nice hair. I have mounted many blonde, piebald, white, albino and black squirrels, (Im doing a blonde squirrel now) and they arent as nice early, prime hides rule!