The Squirrel Exchange

August 1997

VOL. 1 NO. 2

In this edition, we will look at member questions, the lucky member story, squirrel humor, and grilling time-squirrel style!

PART I - Q&A's

Scott wrote:

Having hunted squirrels since I was a kid and always looking for a new, better way to skin the rascals, I'm always interested in how other folks do it. Skinning squirrels is never easy, but someone has got to have another good way.
ANSWER:
The easiest way (in my opinion) to skin a squirrel is to turn him upside down on his back. You already have a cut where you field dressed him, so basically all you have to do, is use a very sharp razor to "un-stick" the skin membrane away from the meat - pulling the skin while cutting the membrane. I usually work upward towards the head, then around the ears. Then work back down the other side to the tail. If you want a tail to keep, you must get the bone out. To do that, take a razor and slice about 4 inches down the tail (without cutting the bone itself). Then hold one side and twist, till you hear a pop. The tail bone should come right out!

Larry wrote:
What type squirrel call is most likely to get a squirrel to give away it's location?
ANSWER: There are many types of squirrel calls on the market today. Every call does a different thing. Sometimes, the best way to get a squirrel to give his location is not to use a call at all...

Before walking into a hardwood forest, make a quiet 'non-woods' sound only once and briefly. Then walk very slowly into the woods. If there are any squirrels in the woods, you've got their attention! Listen for the quick chattering squirrels make. He is warning other squirrels that something is wrong. That usually works in getting a squirrel's location.

In my opinion, the best call for early fall hunting is the 'squirrel in distress' call.

John Wrote:
I have 2 questions. One is about calls. Do they really work? I have been hunting Squirrels for about 8 years and have tried to use a call many times without any positive results. The second question is about hunting them with a dog. I read once where if you take a dog into the woods, sit down by a tree with squirrels hiding in it, and toss a tennis ball, having the dog fetch it, the squirrels will think it is really a baby being attacked. Has anyone ever done this?
ANSWER: Calls work well in squirrel hunting. When using the right call, a squirrel will either give his location, or, come to the rescue. The trick is to make the squirrel comfortable with what he hears, making him answer. When fall hunting, a great call to use is the 'squirrel in distress' call. That is a high pitch moaning that is designed to make the sound of a young squirrel in trouble. That makes other squirrels come to the rescue.

Since I'm not familiar with dog hunting, I can't answer your second question. I wish I could help.

NOTE: IF ANYONE DOES HAVE AN ANSWER, MAIL TO SquirrelDigest@Geocities.com WITH YOUR VIEW! PART II - A True Sportsman's View on Squirrel Hunting

Tom wrote:
Squirrel hunting is one of the most inexpensive types of hunting. You don't need much gear, access to hunting areas is easy, and there are few crowds. My father started me out hunting squirrels, as I did with my son. It's a tradition that we still keep. If you are a true squirrel hunter, you love the animal, and you love the beauty of the hardwood forest. The most beautiful spot on earth is a grove of shag bark hickory, at dawn on a cool October morning. It's one of Gods best works. The squirrel provides the reason for being there.

PART III - A Squirrel Did What??

NOTE: This is 100% true. No squirrels were hurt in the making of this true event. THIS REALLY HAPPENED TO ME:

On a nice sunny summer afternoon at the hunting camp with my family, we decided to target practice with the new 'cowboy gun'. (It's a lever action rifle) All was going well, the target was filling full of holes. Then came our buddy, the red squirrel! Bang! Three shots left... he ran up the driveway. Bang! Two shots left... he ran on the lawn in front of the gun. Bang! One shot left... he ran right in the middle of the range and sniffed the same target we were shooting at, then started to eat right in front of it. Bang! Gun empty... Squirrel does a back flip and runs five feet to a tree, and then stops.

Finally, he ran away when we inspected the target. Now here is a question of my own:
What the heck was this little guy thinking?