Page 88 - South Mississippi Living - Ocotber, 2022

A young sportsman prepares to shoot at a squirrel pointed out by his two companions.
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
LEARNING
Squirrel Hunting Together Can Build Lifelong Bonds
story and photos by John N. Felsher
Squirrel hunting in pairs or teams allows socialization, creating an excellent way to introduce children to the sport and build lasting bonds.
Youths can learn valuable skills by accompanying older veterans. Most people probably start hunting with their father, uncle or grandfather, but increasing numbers of young women take up hunting each year.
In Mississippi, squirrel hunters find many
public and private places to go. Squirrels thrive throughout the Magnolia State, wherever they can find hardwood trees or mixed hardwoods
and pines. In late summer and early fall, squirrels commonly eat pine cones. People often see piles of cone husks and chips under pine trees.
In good squirrel habitat, take a few steps. Then,
stop to look and listen. Without making quick movements, advance a few more steps. Avoid stepping on branches that could snap, leaf piles or other forest debris that would make noise.
Pause periodically to scan the trees for any movement while listening for telltale sounds. Sportsmen frequently hear squirrels long before they see them. Listen for the distinctive sound of claws scratching on rough bark, shaking branches or objects such as chewed bits of nutshell or pine cone husks dropping from trees.
Squirrels don’t always stay in trees. Listen for squirrels scampering over leaves on the ground. Also listen for chattering and barking. An experienced hunter can identify those sounds to a youngster. People not familiar with such sounds might listen to recordings on the internet.
88 | October 2022
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Squirrels remain popular game animals in Mississippi.