September hunting seasons are underway with dove and goose hunters enjoying time in the fields over Labor Day weekend.
Both species are largely associated with agricultural crops and water sources, allowing a hunter to find a pattern in their flight or to hunt one of the attractions. I have hunted pigeons in a small irrigation pond and have done well with easy shots as the birds slithered towards the lonely dead stump. With all the rain we’ve just received, hunting such waterholes will be of little use with puddles scattered across the fields. Farm activities can quickly change food sources and sometimes locating where birds are feeding can be difficult, if not impossible.
Finding birds is the hard part. If the permission of the landowner can be obtained, hunting should be favourable. However, hitting a flying object can be problematic and shooters must prepare mentally in advance to take advantage of the opportunity. Missed opportunities and shells can make it difficult to fill a boundary, but each hunt offers more insight into the flock’s movements. There is a good chance that next year and beyond such flight patterns will be reproduced.
While opening day may have already passed, some of the best hunting will happen towards the end of the month when the migrations begin. Migratory birds are a challenging hunt that licensed hunters can take with only one or two additional licenses required. The migratory bird stamp is affordable for a few dollars and is required for pigeons and geese. A federal duck stamp is required for duck and goose hunting and costs about $30.
Squirrel season opens on Saturday, providing the chance to walk through the woods with a favorite weapon. Given the thick foliage, a shotgun is best to start the season with, as many shots will be fired at close range. Early in the season, squirrels often blush like rabbits while feeding on the ground, jumping onto the first tree they reach and looking back for the source of disturbance. These moments can allow a quick shooter to take advantage and pocket the bushy tail.
Abundant populations allow hunting almost anywhere there is wood. Cornfields are a magnet, and working the edges should produce some chubby squirrels.
Finding a downed squirrel is difficult with the undergrowth still green, and a hunter must take special care when marking where the squirrel fell. With shotgun pellets, the squirrel may not be dispatched and you may need to.
Finding a specific tree or trees that the squirrels are feeding on will allow the stationary hunter the opportunity to slither and wait for shooting opportunities. If the hunters are stealthy in approaching and taking up their position, the squirrels will often start moving within 30 minutes of arrival. Sometimes hunters may stay in place and shoot other squirrels startled by the initial shot.
Squirrel hunting is excellent training for young hunters and provides shooting opportunities at a much higher rate than in the big game seasons.
Recipes are available for cooking squirrels and when properly cleaned they are delicious. A daily limit of six can allow for many meals in the coming months.
On Monday. remaining antlerless deer licenses will be made available for sale over the counter at county treasurer’s offices. Hunters can buy them in person or order them by mail. As of today, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission website, WMU 2D had 5,052 tags remaining out of the 74,000 offered, and WMU 2E still had 9,006 of the 42,000 initially offered tags. It appears that hunters interested in obtaining additional antlerless licenses will have the opportunity to do so.
