Tree rats revisited

There is only 7 1/2 more weeks until Missouri squirrel season opens. As I get older I enjoy things more simple. Squirrels are just about my most favorite thing to hunt these days. They're plentiful, here, tasty and can be a challange as well as amusing just to watch.....it just takes a several to equal much meat!

How many of your states have early squirrel seasons? Our runs from Memorial Day weekend until the 15th of January or February, I believe. Also, how many of you get out after them?

Vic

 

[roundball]

There is only 7 1/2 more weeks until Missouri squirrel season opens. As I get older I enjoy things more simple. Squirrels are just about my most favorite thing to hunt these days. They're plentiful, here, tasty and can be a challange as well as amusing just to watch.....it just takes a several to equal much meat!

How many of your states have early squirrel seasons? Our runs from Memorial Day weekend until the 15th of January or February, I believe. Also, how many of you get out after them?

Vic

I envey you having that long squirrel season...the good October, November, December part of my squirrel season runs right along with Deer season, and deer trump squirrels.
So that leaves January/February but by then I'm burned out from spending so many weeks in the woods, the weather has turned colder and nasty, squirrels can see you a mile away, deer stands have to be brought in, all the pending "honey do's" have to be caught up, etc...so I usually don't go in January/February.

I did carry a throttled back .45cal flinter for squirrels before Christmas and shot my first flintlock squirrel with it...hadn't shot a squirrel out of a tree since back in the 60's...fun!
:redthumb:

 

[KyFlintlock]

Vic,

I am THERE! I truly enjoy a good squirrel hunt about as much as anything. We have a special week season in June, but the regular season comes in about the 2nd Sat in Aug and runs through Mid-Jan. We have plenty of grays and fox squirrels and usually the hickory cuttins' are "raining" around the opener. :applause:

What do you hunt them with?

Wess

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Sharps4590,
Our season never closes.
Best Wishes

 

[roundball]

Mr. Sharps4590,
Our season never closes.
Best Wishes

Are there a lot of squirrels in Alaska?
:shocking:

 

[doverdog]

I was stationed up there for two and a half years and can truthfully say, by the time winter is over, just about everyone is a little squirrely. :crackup: :blah:

 

Michigan squirrel runs from September 15 through March 1st, but last year they ran it through March 31st. Didn't do too bad this year, but didn't get to hunt as much as I wanted to. Daily bag is 5, but I always stop at 3...nice round number. Usually use my 20ga NWTG, but took a few burly foxies with my ugly 16ga Tulle. Now it's on to turkeys, then nuttin' till September!!!

:cry: :cry: :curse: :bull:

lost my dirt-beaver spot, too. pffft....

 

[Ron LaClair]

Michigan squirrel runs from September 15 through March 1st, but last year they ran it through March 31st. Didn't do too bad this year, but didn't get to hunt as much as I wanted to. Daily bag is 5, but I always stop at 3...nice round number. Usually use my 20ga NWTG, but took a few burly foxies with my ugly 16ga Tulle. Now it's on to turkeys, then nuttin' till September!!!

There's a lot of good huntin to be had after Turkey season is over.....Woodchucks abound in Michigans hayfields and most farmers will jump at the chance to have someone take the population down a notch or two. Ground Grizzlies can be a real challange with a black powder gun.

I saw one out today, they're real lethargic when they first come out in the spring, and that makes it eaiser to stalk within range.

I love huntin squirrels with my .32 flinter but there's no closed season on woodchucks.

 

[Alberta Black]

Alas

I envey you folks. In Alberta our woods are full of red squirrels but they are protected. They fall under the "Furbearing Act" so you cannot shoot them but you can trap them if you have a licence.

AB

 

Here in PA it comes in and out due other seasons comeing in. They don't want you hunting during deer season/s ect.

Pennsylvania Season 2004
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Fall Season - Oct. 16-Nov. 27; Late Seasons - Dec. 13-23, and Dec. 27-Feb. 5 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

Yes red squirrels are included in the bag limit. If you shoot one you must include it in your limit.
Sad thing is The Pennsylvania GAME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF $2.85 MILLION REDUCTION IN SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

Woody

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Roundball,
Yes Sir, there are an awfull lot of them. About three summers ago, had to shoot 36 of them, in our front yard, in less than six weeks; self defense. Unfortunatly, they are of the small "red" variety but tastey.
Best Wishes
P.S. Rabbit (Snowshoe Hare) season never closes either.

 

Hey Wess....

Welllll...I cheat opening weekend as it's been so long since I've had any to eat. I take my scoped Ruger 77/22 (old eyes) and get a limit just for the table. After that it's either my 36 Southern Mountain flint and occasionally my 36 Mowery caplock.

Limit here is 6 with 12 in possession. They are very plentiful in my neck of the woods. Hunting with my muzzleloaders I rarely take a limit. Now the 22 is a different story but it's relegated to opening day. I don't often hunt them when they're cutting hickory nuts as it's hot, humid and the woods are full of ticks. Next to mulberrys being ripe that's probably the best time to hunt them tho. It does sound like rain. We can hear the cuttings from our bedroom window.

You guys in Alaska eat the squirrels up there? I'm not familiar with what kind they are.

Vic

 

[Stumpkiller]

Sept 1st to last day in Feb for Grays in Upstate NY.

Reds have no closed season. "Red squirrels are unprotected and may be hunted at any time without limit." Those magic words allow year round armed trekking whether I'm seriously hunting or not. :: Unfortunately, ours taste like turpentine. :no:

 

[Don]

Reds are also unprotected here in NH and I usually take a few cause the greys are often smart enough to stay within city limits. No luck this past season though, hope next season is better.

Don

 

[RussB]

"Unfortunately, ours taste like turpentine".

Yep, their brother lives in the Pacific Northwest...sooner eat a fried pine cone than a tree rat out here.

If the Elk is to be considered the King of wild game by so many folks, then the Squirrel must surely be the Prince.

Ain't nothing better than a good all day squirrel hunt! period.

Russ

 

There isn't a much better breakfast to be had than fried squirrel, fried taters with onions, fried okra and baking powder biscuits and squirrel gravy. Rich folks don't eat as good.

Vic

 

[KyFlintlock]

Sharps....well I WAS content with my breakfast, but not now!!!!

DANG IT!!!
Wess

 

That goes for both of us Ky....maybe we ought to try to put together an Appalachian/Ozarkian squirrel hunt or two. Do one here in the spring and one there in the fall before deer season. Everyone invited.......waddaya think?

Vic

 

[BillinOregon]

Here in Oregon, the season runs late August through early November for silver gray squirrels, except for a small area in my end of the state that is open year around. I've always sort of wanted to hunt them, but I keep hearing how tough the old ones are, and I have no idea how to tell an old one from a young one. Also feel a little nervous about firing a rifle at a high angle, even in the thick woods.

 

[RussB]

Bill, if I'm not mistaken, my buddy Rebel, who lives about south central Oregon, in Douglas county, told me those squirrels were edible.

However, the east coast, and south east, that have a lot of hard wood timber, produces squirrels that are a real treat when it comes to table fare.

In Washington state, the "Western Red Squirrel" is protected. I have asked a lot of people over the last twenty years how to distinguish the Western Red, from the regular red squirrel, and no one seems to know.

One would think, Heck, just go after the Grey's....but after trying to eat one, you finally just give up.

I do not know of a single "squirrel hunter" here in this state. One of our moderators recently moved to Washington, and attempted to sort all this out with our Game Dept., I think he is still shaking his head.

Russ