Squirrel season
July 6th, 2006 by Administrator
Squirrel season is a great time to teach beginners
Some of the happiest times young hunters experience is the anticipation of going hunting with adults. This is a rite of passage after hours of shooting, safety, and outdoor instruction. Running May 15 through Jan. 31, the squirrel season is the longest continuous hunting season available to Oklahoma hunters.
Squirrel hunting is a perfect opportunity to introduce a young person to hunting. There is enough walking and action so kids don’t get bored and you don’t have to get up early to be successful. It is also a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather.
Even though it has taken a backseat to some of the other major species of hunting opportunities such as deer and turkey, squirrel hunting is still an important part of Oklahoma’s hunting culture. Experienced hunters know the action is often fast-paced and the weather is comfortable as opposed to some pretty cold and sometimes, miserable weather during major species seasons.
One of the nice things about squirrel hunting is that you often will have the woods to yourself since fishing, golf, and other family outings are common during this time of year. Squirrels provide some excellent eating especially stews, fried, and other favorite dishes. Older generations can remember when the squirrel was once one of Oklahoma’s most sought after game species.
Both the fox and grey squirrel are very plentiful in our state. Unlike some of the major species, public hunting lands such as some of the Wildlife Management Areas offer some excellent habitat and shooting locations for squirrels. The bag limit in Oklahoma is 10 which can make for an exciting day in the field.
There are several methods that are popular with the state’s squirrel hunters. The traditional choice is the 22 rifle or shotgun. Many a youngster has learned to hunt with a 20 or 410 gauge single shot shotgun teamed with #6 shot. This method provides about the safest way for a beginner to learn to use a gun in the field. The 22 rifle topped with a good scope or iron sights also provides an excellent way to hunt squirrels.
Some of the old hands probably would use a 22 pistol which requires some excellent shooting skills a lot of beginners lack. Another option that is becoming fairly popular in the Sooner state is the pellet rifle. Since they don’t shoot as far as a 22 rifle, the pellet rifles are almost as effective as the 22 but they don’t shoot nearly as far which can make them a lot safer to use.
If you want an excellent opportunity to take a youngster on a first hunt, take them squirrel hunting. It is exciting and is definitely a lot easier hunt than sitting on a deer stand or against a tree waiting for a turkey. After the skills are honed, these young hunters can be introduced to the major seasons but they will never forget the times spent in the woods going after squirrels.
By D.A. Ray, outdoor correspondent
The Sun