Mississippi is a hotbed for squirrel hunting on private or public lands. Take advantage of the opportunities that February provides when the woods are full of squirrels, but not deer hunters.
A wide variety of options are associated with squirrel hunting.
One hunter may pick up a box of high-brass No. 6 shot and have fun all weekend shooting squirrels, maybe a rabbit and a quail. Another may have saved his money to invest in a top-rated canine hunting buddy that will enhance the hunting experience. A third may cherish the days in the squirrel woods with family members of all ages, observing and discussing the art of woodcraft and hunting lore.
No matter the level of participation, squirrel hunting is just fun.
Public land where squirrels abound is not in short supply. The floods of the lower Mississippi Delta took a toll on some areas, including the Mahannah WMA, but don’t be discouraged; there are thousands of other hills, hollers, creek bottoms and cane breaks to explore, and the entire month of February to try for an 8-squirrel limit before the season closes.
“Mississippi has a good crop of squirrels and such a wide variety of places to hunt them,” said Rick Hammerick , small-game coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “February has become a favorite month for hunting squirrels. The trees are bare, dogs can take advantage of the scent trails, hunters have clear views, the insects are few and the snakes are hibernating.”
Rifle or a shotgun
When I was old enough to be trusted with a weapon, my father took me to the hardware store, and along with the money I had saved doing chores, he helped me buy an Iver Johnson .410. He reasoned I could shoot small game as well as quail with that little gun. I wanted a .22 repeater, but in the end, I was happy to have that little single-shot shotgun. The .22 would come later, as well as a safe full of fine firearms, but none quite holds the place in my heart of that little .410.
The gun need only be able to safely deliver a sufficient load of shot to the target. I’ve always been partial to No. 6 shot, but some folks like No. 5 or even No. 71/2. The smaller shot is a fine idea when the chances are good a quail or woodcock may be flushed while hunting. Otherwise, the larger shot is all that is needed for bushytails and cottontails.
Mississippi regulations allow hunters a lot of options when it comes to weaponry. Rimfire rifles remain the most popular of small rifles. As far as calibers, the .22 stands out, but the .17 has made headway in the race. Wildlife Management Areas, National Wildlife Refuges and other public land can and do have specific restrictions on weapons used. Read and understand the specific regulations for the area before hunting.
On private lands, weapon usage is somewhat more relaxed. A handloading enthusiast might find a less-powerful load that would allow his or her centerfire rifle to do double duty as a squirrel rifle. Just be mindful of where the bullet will return to earth once it has been launched. As an example, a .223 or .22 Hornet case might be loading with a cast bullet and fired at a sub-sonic velocity. Such loads are deadly on squirrels and provide an added layer of fun for the handloader.
In recent years, the advances in air-rifle technology have elevated those weapons to go-to choices for shooting squirrels where the noise of the report is a problem. Both .22 and .177 hunting pellets are capable of clean kills on tree rats at close ranges. The lack of noticeable recoil makes such weapons a perfect choice for introducing a child to the sport, and they offer hours of safe, backyard plinking for a budding hunter or shooter.
Still-hunt or dog
Squirrels are rodents, thus, they are low on the food chain. Nature has adjusted their reproductive cycle to insure that, under normal circumstances, they are a plentiful species. They are hunted from above by hawks and owls and from below by bobcats, foxes and humans. Luckily, they have the attention span of a ninth-grade boy, and once disturbed, they don’t wait too long before moving again.
To their credit, they have excellent eyesight and keen hearing. It’s a balance of predator and prey that works pretty well both ways.
In the fall, leaves provide them with cover, but that cover gives away their location as they move along limb by-ways. Still-hunting is the best choice when leaves are on the trees. By resting motionless, a hunter may blend into the forest until a squirrel moves again; thus offering the hunter a shot.
Two still-hunters moving through the woods a few yards apart, alternately starting and stopping, will make squirrels move around tree trunks or limbs, allowing one of the hunters a shot. Additional hunters can shake vines, especially where a nest is involved, and increase chances of success. As leaves fall and the trees become bare, visibility increases for hunter and hunted. When spooked, squirrels will make a run for the nearest den tree or the top of the tallest tree that’s close by.
Dogs are a popular, but not inexpensive option. Some yard dogs will do as squirrel dogs, but most top dogs are kennel-kept, well trained and may easily cost five figures. Add on food, vet bills and the like, and the price per squirrel climbs pretty fast. However, there is very little hunting more fun than a bright day in the woods with a top-notch dog and a group of friends or family members.
“Dogs enjoy being a part of the hunt as well as their human counterparts,” said hunter Kenneth Latham of Ludlow. “It’s important that those people who hunt with a dog and its master not forget that special bond. Only the master should give the dog commands. Trying to command another man’s dog only perplexes the man and confuses the dog. Just enjoy being in the company of fellow hunters.”
Publications such as the Mississippi Market Bulletin list squirrel dogs for sale. Some are touted as finished, while others are referred to as started, meaning more training is necessary. If seriously shopping for a dog, consider a few visits to a kennel that specializes in squirrel dogs. Ask a lot of questions, Look into the Mississippi Hunting Dog Association. Many people think they are just deer and coon dog owners. Not so; there are many squirrel and rabbit dog enthusiasts in the group.
“We have members from every aspect of the hunting community: coon and deer hunters, rabbit and squirrel hunters, waterfowl and upland game,” said David Smith, president of the Mississippi Hunting Dog Association. “We welcome new members or perspective members to visit our website or follow us on Facebook. Within our membership is a wealth of knowledge. Members will be eager to share that wisdom with those new to the hunting dog world.”
Alone or in a small group
Social interaction can be a wonderful part of squirrel hunting Making challenges and taking turns increases the interest in the hunt, especially when the hunt involves family members. You miss, you go to the end of the line before you get another chance to shoot. In the end, the hunter who drops the most squirrels is the winner. Perhaps the first shot goes to the one who first spotted a treed squirrel, maybe flattened against a limb or in the crook of the tree. Then, there is heaviest squirrel, the longest shot or a running shots. There is no end to the games hunters can concoct.
There is also the matter of taking all three types of squirrels in Mississippi; the squirrel trifecta. The grey squirrel is easily the most common. Fox or red squirrels are not as common but fairly numerous. A black squirrel is actually a color phase of the fox variety, and a squirrel’s colors can take some interesting shades. In some areas, all three co-exist colors, but the black and red varieties are found mostly in the Delta close to the Mississippi River.
Fried, stew, with dumplings
My mother dredged squirrel parts in flour seasoned with salt and pepper, cooked it in grease until brown, then moved them to a pressure cooker that jiggled and whistled while she made home-made creamed potatoes. By the time the potatoes were done, so was the squirrel and gravy. Served with hot biscuits, it was a fine meal for anyone. My father would pop the heads open with a spoon and eat the brains. My wife still does and admonishes me for head-shooting all the ones I kill. She has a 20-gauge now and can kill hers and leave the head intact.
A common dish in the South is squirrel stew, which is often a deer-camp item made in a large pot. Mixed vegetables and chicken broth, along with canned tomatoes make it feast fit for a king.
Follow any chicken and dumpling recipe with squirrel substituted for the chicken and you’ll never go wrong.
Bon Appetite!
Mepps will buy the tails
For years, Mepps has advertised in outdoor periodicals that they buy squirrel tails with which to trim their fishing lures.
It’s not a proposition that will make a person wealthy, but it will add a little jingle to a hunter’s pocket. It’s a great activity for children. For greater value, the tails may be exchanged for Mepps’ fine quality, handmade fishing lures.
For complete details about the squirrel tail program, visit stinfo@mepps.com.
More than one way to skin a squirrel
Several popular methods for skinning squirrels exist.
A very popular one is referred to as the two-hunter method. One hunter holds the head or front legs, while the other takes the other end. An incision is made across the back large enough for each hunter to insert a finger, then pulling against one another, the skin will begin to strip from the carcass.
A sharp pocket knife is all that is needed to make the necessary snips in the hide until removed completely. Use the same knife to remove the feet and gut the animal.
Thorough washing throughout the process will aide in keeping the meat free of hair.
A quick search on your favorite browser will yield multiple methods. Hangers and accessories sold commercially to make the task easier.
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