![Kansas squirrel hunting season began on Saturday. [Josh Rouse/The Capital-Journal]](https://www.louisrielinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ghows-KS-8a37feb1-fdff-213e-e053-0100007f5261-4ca2db1f.jpeg)
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.
The daily bag limit for squirrels is five, with a possession limit of 20, and the season will continue until February 28, 2020.
There are two species of squirrels that hunters go after in Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism: the larger fox squirrel, found throughout Kansas, and the smaller gray squirrel, found only in the wooded regions of eastern Kansas. There are some notable differences between the two. A mature fox squirrel can reach up to 3 pounds, while an average gray squirrel runs about a pound. Fox squirrels are active at noon and spend a lot of time on the ground, while gray squirrels are most active at dawn and dusk, spending the midday hours resting. However, both species will remain in their dens on windier days, so a calm, sunny day is ideal.
Fall is probably the best time to hunt squirrels, but summer hunters may find success locating areas with mulberry trees. There are a few different techniques for locating and hunting squirrels. Squirrels can be persuaded to reveal their location by using a squirrel call or even by clicking and scratching two quarters to mimic a squirrel cracking a nut, one of those Good Ol’ Boy techniques. To learn more about that technique, watch a short video on the web version of this story at CJOnline.com.
Guided squirrel hunts on Saturday at Tuttle Creek State Park helped get the season off to a good start, with guides teaching beginning hunters the basics of the sport.
“They will shoot with a firearm first to ensure the location and safety of the shots,” Todd Lovin, park manager at Tuttle Creek, said Tuesday. “After that, taken to areas to hunt squirrels. After the hunt, return to clean the squirrels in bags and cook to feed the animals outdoors. Our target audience is hunters with little or no experience. Most of hunters started hunting small game and we are trying to get people interested in hunting.”
Dodge City CC will hold hunter education course in Spanish
The KDWPT will also offer a hunter education class in Spanish next weekend in Dodge City.
By completing the free two-day class June 8-9 at Dodge City Community College, 2501 N. 14th Ave., participants will earn their Kansas Hunter Education certificate. Students must be 11 years or older to participate and must attend both sessions. The first session will be from 9 am to 4 pm on June 8, with the second session from 9 am to 2 pm on June 9.
Class supplies will be provided as well as lunch on June 8th.
To register in English, contact Dodge City Community College at 620-227-9269. To register in Spanish, contact Manuel Torres at 620-966-8570. Students can also register online at http://www.safehunters.com.
MORE OUTDOORS
• Read about a new fishing game that could help attract young anglers to the sport by clicking here.
• Two members of the Kansas State Bass Fishing Team are about to compete for a national championship. Read more here.
• Find out which fishing tournaments have been canceled due to high tide here.
• Check Northeast Kansas lake levels here.