Squirrel hunting is the most important form of hunting in the United States of America. There, I said it.
It actually feels kind of good to get that out there and just be up front about it. To those who may disagree, let the games begin.
Ummm, wait, before we really get started, is everyone good on go juice? Need some more coffee? (Mine seems a little weak this morning, not sure what I did wrong. I think drinking weak coffee may be a sign of weak character.) OK, let's dive into the squirrel woods.
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Many times in this space, I have told you about how important the hunting of squirrels is to our hunting culture. The gray squirrel (scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis) and the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), are the main quarry here, although there is another species of squirrel found over much of the country.
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), also known as the pine squirrel -- and in some areas, they are called "boomers," but I never have figured that one out -- is smaller than the fox squirrel or the gray squirrel, and while it may be found more often in higher elevations, it ranges both east and west of the Big Muddy. Pine squirrels are usually not considered game animals, though. Some hunters may shoot them and eat them, but for me, no thanks.
At the risk of confusing you, the much larger fox squirrel that has a reddish brown tint to his coat is sometimes called a "red" squirrel. These squirrels are, in fact, red in color, but they are a lot bigger and quite different than the little pine or true red squirrel.
Got that? OK, let's continue.
As has been noted here in "Guns & Cornbread" more than twice, hunting squirrels is the ideal woodland classroom for teaching new hunters young and old how to hunt. For many years, it was routine for young hunters, especially in the Southeast, to start out on squirrels. In the squirrel woods, you would learn the basics of being a hunter: how to walk quietly, how to "slip" through the woods, how to sit still and not alert game to your presence, listening for all the woodland sounds and distinguishing one from another.
(READ MORE: Squirrel hunting has value for both beginners and old pros)
There is so much to mention here, I was reluctant to bring it up. Learning to track animals and read "sign" (footprints, yes, but also other indicators of where they've been and where they were headed) are all part of this game. A hunter must also learn to identify the food of the animal he is hunting, and a young hunter will learn about oak, hickory, and walnut "mast" -- that is, the nuts of these trees, which are important food for squirrels (and also for bears, deer and turkeys).
All of the basics of gun safety are important, too, and there is no better place to learn and experience it than in the squirrel woods. Keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction, treating all guns as loaded, never touching a trigger until it is time to shoot, and positively identifying your target every time are part of the curriculum for "Squirrel Hunting 101" students. A really good idea is to have your new student enroll in a hunter education class in your area, and depending on where you are, it may be legally required before purchasing a hunting license.
Maybe you are catching on to what I am trying to get across here. The young hunter (and the new adult hunter) will learn all of these basic skills and many more that will transfer seamlessly to hunting animals such as deer, turkey and others that are often considered more "important" game than squirrels. More than a few times, I have heard guides on deer and elk hunts quoted as saying if a hunter started out and leaned to hunt on squirrels, they will almost always be an accomplished hunter.
So what really makes the squirrel the game of choice for making a new hunter? Much of it is accessibility and opportunity. There are millions of acres of public land available in these United States, and on much of it, you can find squirrels. So even if you don't have some private land to hunt on, you should have access to squirrels. Another benefit is that on some private land, owners may let you squirrel hunt when they would be less likely to let you go after deer and/or turkeys. Expensive hunting leases are not necessary to make a squirrel hunter.
Along with easy access of places to go, there is another factor here in that you don't need piles of equipment to get you to the woods on a good squirrel hunt. Camo may be helpful but not absolutely necessary. Wear your old jeans, some boots (even tennis shoes if it is warm enough) a flannel shirt or sweatshirt, and hit the woods. One thing I would advise is to at least have a blaze orange vest and/or hat. You can't be too careful in this respect, and it will help protect you with other hunters.
Firearms choice is simple as well. Any serviceable .22 rifle or shotgun will work for squirrels. Again, follow all of the rules of gun and hunter safety.
My home state of West Virginia opened a youth season for squirrels on Sept. 6-7, and the general season started Saturday and runs to the end of February. Others of you are reading from states where squirrel hunting season is also already in progress; always make sure you check the regulations for your area before heading to the woods.
The squirrels are out there; there is much accessible land. What are you waiting on?
Take that kid hunting!
"Guns & Cornbread" is written by Larry Case, who lives in Fayette County, W.Va. You can write to him at larryocase3@gmail.com.