Most of my friends are in the field with antlers on their minds. Normally I would have the same outlook during this time of year, but Mom came for a visit and I suddenly reverted to my childhood passion.
My fondest memories are of squirrel hunting with Grandma Daisy, so when Mom got here from Arizona we dusted off the old Browning 22 rifle that Stan gave me for my birthday a few years ago , too many years ago in fact, and headed to the woods. I hate to admit that it had been about 10 years since I went squirrel hunting! The trip reminded me there are plenty of reasons to go squirrel hunting more often!
Reason #1: IT IS FUN. Many of us got introduced to hunting through the pursuit of small game like squirrels and rabbits. We often forget how much fun it was, and still is. Plenty of youth hunts are focused on big game, like deer and turkey, but I often wonder why we don’t just take the kids squirrel hunting. Game is plentiful, the weather is pretty good, and the squirrels are challenging quarry, but not so difficult that you come home empty handed more often that not.
 Reason # 2: HONE YOUR SKILLS. Sneaking through the woods on a mini-spot and stalk can sharpen your hunting skills. Fine tuning your eyes to the slightest movement, like the flick of a squirrel tail, can get your mind ready to spot the deer you are after, whose only movement might be the flick of an ear. Sometimes the squirrels just sit there in plain sight, but many times you have to creep along silently, using the terrain to hide your movements, just to get in position for a shot. Once in a while you get spotted, receive a severe scolding, and have to wait them out.
Story continues below
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Reason # 3: SCOUTING SIDEBAR: Once in awhile we overlook places where deer may be hiding, traveling or feeding. A rambling squirrel hunt can help you discover new clues that you might not have scouted previously. During our recent trip I found several scrapes and other sign that will help determine new deer stand locations.
Reason # 4: GREAT CUISINE: It had been a few years since I cleaned a squirrel, so our attempts to process the game were a little rusty, but quite functional. We managed to come home with all the required pieces and parts intact and ready for the skillet. One of the squirrels was an old male, so we decided to boil the meat prior to frying. It took two hours of boiling before the meat began to fall away from the bone, but it was worth the extra step. Next we soaked them in milk, rolled them in cracker crumbs and fried them in butter. Delicious!
Reason # 5: MENTAL HEALTH: You really owe it to yourself to take a day off and go squirrel hunting. I’m just going to repeat reason number one.
|