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Last August, a friend of mine who is an experienced big game hunter visited Kentucky for a few days squirrel hunting. He’d killed a few squirrels before, but he’d never chased them through hickory season with a .22 rifle like a true redneck. After three days, he was so seasick that he declared the squirrel hunt the most overlooked hunt in North America.

That’s a lot of talk about such a small creature. But serious squirrel hunting requires serious hunting skills. A heavy green canopy usually prevents you from seeing a squirrel beyond 50 yards. If you crawl through the undergrowth like an armadillo, you’ll never see one. Each one bagged is the result of a process that requires knowledge, observation and secrecy.

It’s called hunting, and it’s fun. Of course, ultimately he must put a quarter-sized bullet into a squirrel’s brain, and his gun is the tool to tie the process together. But if you’re going squirrel hunting primarily to show off your custom rimfire, the redneck who wears iron sights and knows how to identify and sneak up on the sound of walnut shells spattering on the ground can probably teach you a thing or two.

That squirrel hunting has been overlooked is a huge statement about modern hunting culture. “Do you hunt squirrels?” people tell me. “That’s great. My grandfather used to hunt them.” Instead of woodsy skills, hunters today seem to value and obsess over gear, especially guns, cartridges, and optics. bullets and twist rates and custom turrets to get ready for that 400+ yard shot we’re sure we’re going to get but forgot to put our feet up and whisper on the way there. We bought choke tubes and reflex sights and model shotguns with $10 shells to be able to kill a turkey from 70 yards, but in the process, we failed to learn what a drumming turkey sounds like because we’ve never heard one that’s been completely fooled.

When you see a group of nature lovers gathered around a phone these days to look at photos of a male or bull, the question you’ll almost certainly hear is: How far was the shot? If it was a close shot, the hunter’s response is usually timid: “Oh, he walked by at 40 paces. It’s kind of hard to miss that.”

I’m sorry, but there’s something wrong with that. Getting close enough to count the hit should be the mark of a good hunter, not something to defend because it makes the shot too easy. If that’s not obvious to you, then I think you should try the most overlooked hunt in North America. And when your friends pull out their phones to compare critters, be sure to flash a photo of a squirrel cap and brag about sneaking in 20 yards for six clean headshots with your Walmart .22 and 4X scope.

Years ago, I told my high school friends about a doe that had shot him the night before. “Swear to God, guys, she went from here to the Minit Mart. Five hundred meters, easy. So she didn’t have a rangefinder to check my bs. Hunters today do, and that digital readout often becomes the focus of the hunting story. It’s easy to talk about details, like 473.2 yards, while leaving out other details, like the three bullets in the dirt, the long chase, and the final shot.

Distant screams and lies

I never told my friends that I then stepped on that shot at 294 paces. Not quite “here to the Minit Mart”. Now that I’m honest: it’s the longest shot I’ve ever done on an animal. A long-range story is fine, but I bet there would be a lot less of it if we never left out any details.

Like so many other hunters, my introduction to the sport came in the squirrel forest. My first successful hunt, resulting in the capture of a large fox squirrel, occurred just a couple of hundred yards from the office where I am sitting as I write this article and if I look out my office window I can still see the squirrel bent and twisted. branches of a century old white oak where the squirrel was sitting when I took that shot.

Despite living so close to the woods where I hunted squirrels so frantically all those years ago, I rarely grab a rifle or shotgun and spend time waiting for bushytails. Having a wife and young kids certainly takes up a lot of my day, and maybe I’ve moved on to bigger game: tasks like checking trail cameras, planting food plots, hanging stalls, and practicing with a bow or rifle. They do a lot of the chores. hours I used to spend just sitting under a walnut tree and waiting for gray squirrels or foxes to show up. I always intend to spend a few days in September hunting squirrels, but I rarely get around to it.

So it was refreshing to attend the Gamo Squirrel Master Classic in Alabama this year. At the Squirrel Classic, teams from around the country come together for what is arguably the largest organized squirrel hunt in the country, and with thousands of acres of Alabama pines surrounding the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge in West Tyler, the venue competition, there was ample room for each team to chase squirrels. Our team hunted behind a team of mountain dogs, and even though we didn’t win the competition, attending the Squirrel Classic was something of a wake-up call for me. There was no internet, there were no deadlines to meet, and the central focus of each day was simple: spend time in the forest looking for prey.

I think it’s time for a squirrel hunting renaissance. In recent decades, hunter numbers have declined in many areas of the country, with small game hunting experiencing some of the largest declines. Maybe that’s not just a coincidence. Here is a list of five important reasons why you should spend more time in the squirrel forest.

1. Access is not a problem
I have seen prime hunting land around my home gobbled up by deer leases over the last decade. That’s not all a bad thing: White-tailed deer remain the most popular game animal in the country, and white-tailed hunters and the licenses and tags they purchase are critical to supporting conservation projects across the country. But as more and more land is leased for deer hunting, access to hunting land is shrinking, particularly for new hunters. While it can be difficult for hunters to find a place to hunt deer, it is easy to gain access for squirrel hunting. It also doesn’t require a large amount of property; a handful of acres of forested habitat is enough for a squirrel hunting season, and it’s not hard to find productive public land to hunt squirrels.

2. Squirrel hunting is affordable
I sweat when I think of all the money I’ve poured into deer hunting over the last decade, but squirrel hunting is perhaps the most affordable of all outdoor activities. You don’t need any special equipment (a single-shot rifle, shotgun, or airgun will suffice), and a resident small game hunting license is generally all that is required to legally hunt squirrels. For an investment of a couple of hundred dollars, you can hunt squirrels for the next decade, it’s a sport that all hunters can enjoy.

3. It is ideal for introducing new hunters to the sport
Squirrel hunting is a natural springboard into hunting other animals, and squirrels are ideal prey for new hunters. The sport doesn’t require the same early mornings and long hours in the woods that deer hunting demands, and squirrel hunting success rates are high enough to hold the attention of even the most concerned young hunters. It’s an exciting, low-impact way for new or young hunters to get outdoors, which will be critical if hunting is to continue well into the future. The friends you invite to go squirrel hunting may never take up the sport, but at least they’ll be exposed to the outdoors and appreciate the hunt. Such an experience can help negate the negative press hunting receives from animal rights groups, and something as simple as an afternoon squirrel hunt can motivate them to vote for legislation that supports hunting-based conservation. in the future. Additionally, chasing squirrels teaches the basics of stealth, patience, ethics, and marksmanship that are the foundation of all hunting.

4. It’s the easiest way to unplug
Over the past decade, researchers have identified two disorders that are having a significant impact on American children: electronic screen syndrome and nature deficit disorder. And while these two problems may seem trivial and fabricated, Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the side effects of our unnatural reliance on electronics, which can lead to everything from vision problems to depression. This constant need for stimulation affects adults, but it is especially detrimental to children during their early stages of development. The truth is, we all need to unplug, even for a few hours, and squirrel hunting is a great way to do it. If you’re too busy to take your kids squirrel hunting and let them take advantage of all the sporting offerings, you’re simply too busy.

5. It’s fun
Squirrel hunting is not competitive (unless, of course, you participate in the Gamo Squirrel Master Classic). It’s just a fun, low-key hobby and a great way to enjoy nature. It can be as simple as sitting under a walnut tree for a few hours after work. Or, if you prefer, you can hunt with squirrel dogs. I have called the squirrels with a distress whistle, which is also very effective. Whichever method you choose, you’ll enjoy some low-key time in the woods with friends and family, and if you’re successful, you’ll have some wild game for the freezer. Isn’t it time you redevoted some attention to squirrel hunting? This year, invite a new hunter to tag along, fill his vest pockets with .22 ammo, and escape into the woods for a few hours. You’ll be glad you did.

NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee residents can hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 22, which is also the opening day of chipmunk season, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Free Hunting Day is an annual event that the TWRA organizes in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. As squirrel hunting is one of the state’s oldest and favorite traditions, the TWRA says, the day serves as an excellent opportunity for unlicensed individuals to enjoy the hunt.

The TWRA says regular hunters are encouraged to introduce their friends and family to the hunt. The TWRA says it’s also a great way to reintroduce people who haven’t hunted in a while.

On Free Hunt Day, in-state hunters are exempt from WMA hunting license and permit requirements. The TWRA says that many of the WMAs are open to hunters seeking public access on Saturday.

The TWRA says to check the information for particular WMAs in the 2020-2021 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Athletes are reminded to ask permission to hunt on private land.

Additionally, TWRA reminds individuals that hunter education requirements are not waived on Free Hunting Day. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1069 must have successfully completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after January 1, 1969, if the hunter education course has not been completed.

The TWRA says that this license exempts the hunter from the compulsory hunter education law for one year from the date of purchase, but can only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the hunter’s lifetime.

The TWRA says hunters can shoot up to 10 squirrels per day from opening day through February 28, 2021. Each hunting day begins a half hour before sunrise and ends a half hour after sunset.

In addition to squirrels, seasonal species will also be open throughout the year. This includes armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs, and striped skunks.

For more information on hunting in Tennessee, visit TWR website or contact the nearest TWRA regional office.

When I’m hunting deer in woods that are full of fox squirrels, I’m always on the lookout for a flash of black. Every year I take several normal red and gray squirrels with my bows when easy shots near the ground come up. However, along the Mississippi River and surrounding bushlands, some of the fox squirrels are black.

These large fox squirrels come in many different shades of gray, silver, brown, and jet black that make beautiful mounts and tan fur. I’ve lost quite a few arrows emptying my quiver into the treetops in pursuit. A few shots have connected and I have successfully harvested three black squirrels with my bows.

When I was a kid, squirrels were my favorite animals to hunt. There was an albino squirrel mounted in my camp that was shot long before I was born. Ever since I saw that albino, I also wanted a unique squirrel to ride one day.

black squirrels

After moving from small game hunting in the south to bowhunting mainly in northern parishes along the Mississippi River, I finally started seeing the prettiest jet black squirrels. Not only did I want to get one, but I made it my goal to accomplish this task with my bow.

After many years and many wasted arrows, I finally shot my first black squirrel on a 40 yard shot with my old treecreeper compound. That squirrel was standing near the base of a tree. It was so far away that I don’t think the squirrel even noticed that I shot the arrow. It was as exciting as taking down a deer.

Unfortunately, the taxidermist had lost the skin, so he was determined ever since to get another one to mount. In the years that followed, I had several other failures on these fast black squirrels with my recurves. I once cut some of one’s hair, but it escaped.

One year I was doing a primitive gun hunt and I filmed a black squirrel with a white patch on its forehead. I saw the same squirrel again the next day. Bowhunting was closed for those two days, so I only filmed the rare squirrel. Of course, when I went back once archery season reopened, I never saw that white-spotted squirrel again.

I’ve seen white-tailed red fox squirrels a few times, but they were while running down trails in non-hunting areas.

A squirrel mount

Finally, a few years later, I got another chance. I went to a small river island with my 13 foot Boston Whaler to look for deer and did a sunset bow stalk. The place had a decent big game sign, but the most they had were swarms of mosquitoes. Then I found out that someone had stolen my game camera that I had put on the island that preseason. I was frustrated and itchy all over from bug bites.

I still stuck to my game plan of stalking until sunset. The hunt finally turned in my favor when I noticed a quick black flash moving quickly across the ground.

As I got closer to the tree, I couldn’t place where the squirrel went. The light was beginning to fade and I thought the squirrel was gone forever. Suddenly, I saw him crawling through thick vines to the tree 15 meters away. I fired my Full Throttle compound and the black squirrel landed a perfect headshot. After running to catch the squirrel, I noticed a cottonmouth coiled up just 2 feet away. I was lucky it didn’t hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6laDM6G6tD0

I found my arrow that had a lighted nock about 200 yards away in the fading daylight. That was a long boat trip sailing slowly across the Mississippi with all the floating logs. I remember how long it took to put the boat back on the trailer in the dark with just the fast current. The lost camera and countless bug bites were forgotten once I had my prized trophy for the wall.

I mounted that squirrel that came out spectacular. Squirrels generally cost less than $100 to assemble. In addition, I have also started self tanning the skins of the black squirrels.

Hard-fought wins

Tanning the skin is what I did with my next black squirrel. The month before, I had missed a huge jet-black squirrel with my 100-pound longbow three times on one hunt. They were all ground shots, and the squirrel kept jumping on the slow arrow. I found my arrows, but one of the Easton FMJ Dangerous Game arrows got bent.

The following month I saw another black squirrel that had a strange amount of shine. With the rising sun I couldn’t tell if it was black or just a red squirrel. I soon discovered that it was one of many colors. I was able to connect with my warbow as it moved through the branches only 12 yards away. The animal’s shades of gray, silver, black, and red were mesmerizing.

I never found that arrow, but I did find the arrow thrown from the next animal encounter. Several pigs ran through a thicket as they stalked. My 900 grain arrow may have been overkill for that squirrel, but that heavy combo helped get past the big pig all the way.

Even all the normal red and gray squirrels taken with my recurve bows are fun days when deer or pigs aren’t walking. Since I don’t throw too many squirrels each season, I really enjoy those few meals knowing I got that meat the hard way.

tips

The problem with archery hunting squirrels is speed. With my compound bows, squirrels generally don’t have a chance to dodge the arrow traveling at over 300 feet per second unless they are aware of my presence. With my traditional bows, the squirrel has often jumped several feet before the arrow reaches 150 to 190 fps.

I find it best to shoot a squirrel that is preoccupied looking for food on the ground or in thick branches. A squirrel on alert almost always fails.

Using a lighted nock can go a long way in finding an arrow that has sailed through the branches. The arrows will fly another 100-200 meters away. Nowadays, I use reflective arrow wraps. It makes finding an arrow a bit more difficult, but with a strong headlamp at night, the reflective wrap can be seen sticking up on the ground over 50 yards away.

I see most of my large fox squirrels near the edges of forests along fields, marshes, swamps, and rivers. I have great luck near bitter nut ridges and acacia trees. In the middle of deep woods, most of the squirrels I see are the smaller gray squirrels.

This season, try your hand at woodcut hunting along the hardwoods of the Mississippi River bottom and you just might have a chance at a mount-worthy squirrel hunt.

Between heavy rains shutting down fishing and camping in much of Kansas and turkey season ending Friday, outdoor enthusiasts may not know what to do with their time before June.

One way to enjoy time outdoors this summer that may not have been on people’s minds is to go back to basics and go squirrel hunting, as the Kansas season officially kicked off on Saturday.

The squirrel is often one of the first game animals that outdoor enthusiasts try to chase, along with rabbits, pigeons, quail, and other small game. They can be taken with a small-bore shotgun, such as a .410 or 20-gauge with a #4 or #5 high-velocity load, as well as a small-bore rifle: .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum or .17 rimfire cartridges are ideal. Other methods include air rifles, slingshots, air pistols, and even bows for those on target.

On October 17, Michigan State Police were investigating Justin Ernst for a domestic violence complaint when they discovered several deer in a barn where Ernst reportedly spent a lot of time. According to a press release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, soldiers notified MDNR officers Matt Page and Tyler Cole of a possible poaching, and the barn’s owner allowed them to search anywhere.

MDNR officers discovered eight large white-tailed males in the barn. Two days later, the DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline received an anonymous tip that Ernst had poached another deer. Officials confirmed this, raising Ernst’s count to nine poached whitetails. They also discovered two shotguns, a crossbow and a spotlight in Ernst’s vehicle.

The owner said he believed Ernst was under the influence of methamphetamine. The officers were told that he would be out all night and that a new male would be in the barn in the morning. Meth previously landed Ernst with felony charges in 2018. He was also charged with unlawfully taking and possessing white-tailed deer in the same year.

While in jail on the domestic violence charge, Ernst denied any connection to poaching. He claimed that he was unable to hunt due to a revoked hunting license. He faced 15 charges, including nine counts of illegal hunting, two felony firearms charges and hunting with a revoked license, as well as more than $59,000 in fines.

“It is a shame that this criminal ruined the chance for ethical and legal hunters to have the opportunity to take one of these trophy deer,” Lt. Gerald Thayer of the DNR Law Enforcement Division said in a press release. “This criminal not only stole the natural resource, but also damaged agricultural crops, and he has been doing it for some time. The economic sanction is the minimum that he must comply with.”

On Feb. 14, Ernst pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful take/possession of white-tailed deer, obtaining a hunting license while ineligible, and possession of a firearm.

The judge did not hold back on the sentence. Ernst lost his hunting privileges for life, must pay $25,000 in fines and will serve a minimum of 18 months and up to five years in a correctional facility.

“We are pleased that this criminal is being jailed for stealing from ethical hunters, damaging crops and endangering others by recklessly driving through fields and shooting deer at night,” said Deputy Chief of the Division of DNR Law Enforcement David Shaw in the press release. “We hope that this serious sentence will serve its intended purpose and we are grateful for the strong message delivered by the 36th Circuit Court.”

All images in this article are courtesy of the Michigan DNR.

2011

October 20, Bay County — Duck hunter, 10, with two others; victim, 39 years old. State Comment: “Three subjects hunting waterfowl together. Shooter to the left, victim in the middle. The shooter turned to the right to shoot at a flock of ducks at the same time the victim got to his feet. The victim was hit in the back of the head.” Result: Death, hunting companion.

November 16, Mecosta County — Deer hunter, age 23, with rifle. The age of the victim is not available. Status comment: “Shooter on a deer drive with other hunters, he shoots a running deer. The victim, who (was) sitting on a blind spot a couple of hundred meters away, was shot in the head. Victim not wearing orange hunter”. Result: Death, nearby hunter.

November 17, Iron County — Deer hunter, 35, using a rifle; victim, 41 years old. Status Comment: “The shooter shot at a white spot in heavy cover thinking he was a wounded deer, striking the victim in the arm and chest.” Result: Death, nearby hunter.

2012

September 9, Livingston County — Son, 6, father shot, 32, after squirrel hunting. State Comment: “The victim took her 6 year old son to hunt a squirrel. After the hunt, the victim advised her son to unload the rifle while turning his back on her. The firearm discharged, hitting the father in the right calf and shattering his tibia. The victim did not have the necessary license to be a mentor.” Result: Injury, hunting partner.

September 20, St. Clair County — Coyote hunter, 24, with rifle; victim, 17 years old. State Comment: “The shooter was hunting coyotes and saw what he believed to be a raccoon 181 yards away at the base of a tree. The shooter took one shot and hit the victim in the head.” Result: death, victim misidentified as a raccoon.

November 17, Genesee County — Deer hunter, age 59, with shotgun. State Comment: “The victim was climbing the tower to the hideout with no harness or line of fire. He realized his thumb wasn’t where it was supposed to be and he wasn’t sure if the safety was on or off. firearm fired”. Result: self-inflicted injury, amputated hand.

2013

September 21, St. Clair County — Boy, 12 years old, hunting deer with a shotgun; victim, also 12. State Comment: “The shooter shot a deer in a field. His shot went high and he traveled past the deer and the field hitting a chicken coop that was out of sight. The victim was standing next to the chicken coop and was hit in the arm by the impact of the bullet against the wooden chicken coop.” Result: No nearby hunter injured.

November 15, Hillsdale County — Deer hunter, 47, with crossbow. State Comment: “The subject fell asleep with the crossbow resting between his legs and with his finger on the trigger guard. Unloaded crossbow striking subject in the foot and through him.” Result: self-inflicted injury.

2014

November 25, Oakland County — Deer hunter, 64, with shotgun; victim, 34 years old. State Comment: “Subject lost sight of a deer, saw movement and thought it was the deer then shot it. One of the pellets hit the victim in the hip, who was walking along a path. Result: Injury, victim misidentified as deer.

2015

Jan. 25, Sanilac County — Rabbit hunters, it is not clear who shot; victim, 61 years old. State Comment: “The victim was at her residence watching friends and family hunt in the yard when all the hunters shot a blushing rabbit. A bullet went through the window and hit the victim in the wrist, exiting through a finger. Result: Injury, the victim was not a hunter in her home.

May 7, Crawford County — Turkey hunter, 39, with shotgun; Victim, age 59, also turkey hunting. State Comment: “The shooter mistakenly picked up the movements of the victim and the turkey asking for a turkey. The shooter shot the victim, hitting him in the leg, abdomen, and hand.” Result: Injuries, the victim was a nearby hunter.

2016

September 1st, Muskegon County — The hunters fired shotguns at the geese; Victim, 59, driving by. State Comment: “Several hunters were out hunting geese when they began shooting at an approaching flock. The pellets from one of the shooters entered through the window of a passing vehicle, hitting the driver in the face and neck.” Result: Injury, driver overtaking.

November 26, Branch County — Deer hunter, 18, muzzleloader; Victim, 71 years old, hunting nearby. State Comment: “The shooter attempted to shoot a deer, but missed. The projectile proceeded to travel before entering a closed shutter, striking the victim in the chest. Victim out of sight of shooter.” Result: death, the victim was a nearby hunter.

2017

18th of February, Oceania County — Squirrel hunter, 62, with rifle; victim, 13 years old. State Comment: “The shooter shot a squirrel in a tree near the victim and the projectile ricocheted off the tree and struck the victim in the head.” Result: Death, it is not clear if the victim was hunting.

November 18th, County Roscommon — Deer hunter, age 32, with gun. State Comment: “The victim fell asleep blindly with a gun in his hand. The victim was startled when his cell phone rang. At that point, the victim pulled the trigger, discharging the firearm into the victim’s leg.” Result: self-inflicted injury.

2018

July 11, Branch County — Raccoon hunter, 80, with rifle; victim, 57 years old. State Comment: “The victim was lying in a soybean field, dressed in camouflage clothing. The shooter mistook the victim’s head movement for a raccoon and shot him. Not identifying the target. Result: Injury to person mistaken for a raccoon.

16 of September, Allegan County — Squirrel Hunter, 71 with a shotgun; Victim, 57 years old, fellow hunter. State Comment: “While he was hunting a squirrel, the shooter shot what was thought to be a squirrel, but it turned out to be the hunting partner.” Result: injury to hunting partner.

Jason Phelps kicks off as the new host of Cutting the Distance alongside Steven Rinella to discuss the future of the podcast as well as Steve’s top tips for hunting turkeys. They will also talk about the new Line 1 Turkey Pot Calls, what inspired Steve and Jason to make a pot call from scratch, and the process of hand selecting a tree to scratching those calls in the turkey forest. .