Red delicious apples-can I pick them and ripen them in paper bags?

Question

Okay, think "Caddyshack" here...but it's squirrels.They are determined to taste each and every apple just as the fruit begins to ripen. Can I stake my claim to the apples by placing them in paper bags (on or off the tree) to ripen? We prefer the flavor of ripe apples to that of poached squirrel...Any other suggestions (non-violent) for ripening apples?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the apples must ripen on the tree!  I currently have the same problem with my apples, peaches and pears!

I went to Walmart and bought on of this huge plastic owls in the garden center.  It scares them away and the birds that peck at all the fruit also!