Squirrel Hunting Essay Example

I remember as a boy walking the many fence rows near my house. Straight home from school, grab the single shot 16, stuff a handful of shells in my pockets and I was set till dark. It wasn’t until I moved to Kentucky that I learned that there was a spring squirrel season. The fact that squirrels have two litters each year made it feasible to allow hunters the opportunity to hunt bushytails in the spring. I have to admit there’s a lot going on during May here in Kentucky. Bass are still shallow; bluegills are going on bed and crappie continue to bite. While it can be difficult to decide what to do, I always find a few days for a springtime squirrel hunt. 

When the first settlers came to America the squirrel fed the many families working to carve out an existence in the new land. Squirrel dishes were even served in fancy restaurants in the early days. Squirrel hunting has lost some of its popularity in recent years and that’s unfortunate. Squirrel hunting has long been considered the best way to introduce people, especially kids, to hunting. With fewer hunters in the woods the squirrel population is booming here in Kentucky and the spring season is a great time to enjoy a high success rate.  

The grey squirrel is not only fun to hunt, but it also provides excellent table fare. I remember my grandfather making me squirrel stew as a little boy and it was my favorite. It was the only thing I ever knew him to cook. It was his specialty. I knew he was cooking it before I ever entered his house or houseboat, where he lived for several years. I could smell it cooking as soon as I opened the car door. Fried squirrel is probably the most popular recipe among squirrel hunters. However, squirrel can be used in many different recipes and is a great way to enjoy the harvest after the hunt. 

I encourage you to get in the woods this spring and enjoy a springtime squirrel hunt of your own and grab a friend to go with you. Spring is a wonderful time to be in the woods. A great way to reconnect with an old friend or teach a kid our hunting traditions. One thing that I encourage everyone is to learn to cook your harvest. Squirrel is delicious and can be used in so many recipes. It’s a great way to enjoy the harvest and continue the memories with others in the kitchen and around the dinner table. Squirrel hunting is a wonderful reason to get into the great outdoors and has long been an American tradition.