Missed it by That Much...

[Johnsfolly]

It seems like I missed one of my favorite times to hunt squirrels. That time is when they are feasting on shagbark hickory nuts. With the break in temperatures yesterday, I finally got out to hunt. I have a couple of hickory trees that are on public lands near my house that I hit this time of year. When the nuts are there, the squirrels literally come out of the woodwork to hit those trees. The hunting can be like a video game. You shoot one or two and the others disperse, then a couple of minutes they are back in the tree. I like to target hickory trees that are within heavy low story cover, particularly cedars. You can sneak into shooting position without spooking the squirrels. Also there are usually adequate rests available. I know a lot of guys advocate using a shotgun at this time of year because of the leaf cover. I just don't like bringing down a squirrel skin full of shot. So I use my .22 mag rifle and just wait for a clear shot. When they are cutting a hickory nut, the squirrels usually find a notch in the branches to sit. So often they are not as likely to be covered by leaves. So I went out yesterday hoping to shoot a couple of squeals for dinner. I refer to the young squirrels as squeals, because they are often the ones you hear in the evenings making a high pitched squeal call and also because I think of them as the veal equivalents for squirrels. Nice and tender, at least for a squirrel. I got out to a couple of my favorite hickory trees and found no squirrels. I did find a bunch of hickory shells and discarded nuts in the leaf litter. It looks like I was about a week to 10 days past the prime time for the hickory feast. So I adapted and hunted the thicker wooded areas along some dry semi-dry creeks on this property. There were still a couple of hickories holding some nuts, because I found a few squirrels by hearing them cutting the nuts. I ended the evening with three squeals in the game bag. As I was walking out of the woodlot and across a wide grass land, a young coyote started barking at me from about 100 yards behind me. It turned on a dime and ran off when I turned around and looked at it. I had never had that happen to me before.

 

I'll have to go out this weekend to get at least two more to make a meal for the family. But that's hunting.

[jtram]

I wish that I liked squirrel, fun to hunt but not to eat. I only hunt them during squirrel derbies, if I know the Laotian lady will be there to collect. 

[BilletHead]

     This had my fever worked up but too much to recover and do just getting back off vacation. Good post and it won't be long until I go,

BilletHead

[MOPanfisher]

Mmmm, I love me some fried young squirrell, or older ones cooked till tender and the meat tossed into pot of noodles.  I'll be visiting the squirrell woods this fall.  Seems like hardly anyone hunts them anymore, but the plus side is its usually not too hard to find some, just pretend you are deer hunting.

 

[tho1mas]

I was raised dirt poor on a dairy farm in Webster County, one room school house (1-8 grades) & all dirt roads. We ate a lot of critters back then.

Old tough squirrels - cut in pieces- put in cast iron skillet, cover with water. Add one heaping tablespoon bacon grease. Simmer until the water is gone, increase temp. & fry in the bacon grease till brown.

Wish I had some now if they were not so hard to skin.