Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-19
A MoTIOyLEss WATCH,


The best time to hunt squirrels is. undoubt-
edly, early in the morning. or just before night
falls, as they are stirring around more at these
times than at any other. Enter the field quietly
and walk slowly about in Zig-Zag manner. as
IL undecided in what direction you going.
In this way the squirrels are puzzled as to your
destination. and many an easy snap shot at
them running to the trees may be got. when
walking in a direct line would scare them out
Of range at once.
When they get in the tree remain perfectly
still, scarcely even breathing. Be careful to
assume a natural and easy position. for before
you have been still a minute your nose will
begin to itch, or your ear tickle, or your leg to
be cramped. You will want to move in the
worst way simply because you have to keep still.
Before very long you hear a chatter" chat
ter" followed by hoarse bark, and soon the
curiosity Of the little beast will cause him to
peep around the trunk to find out what you
are doing. Watch him, and soon he will come
right out, either to go along the bough, to Jump
to another tree, or to climb higher up the tree
he is in.
SOARING THEM OUT.
II after waiting he appears inclined to sulk
and will not come out, it is a good plan to fire
Ut random into the tree with one barrel and
when he jumps. as he is pretty certain to do.
catch him on the move with the contents of
the other barrel. II there are two hunters,
one should stand still and let his mate slowly
60 around the tree. This will give the one on
guard a shot. In shooting in a patch of woods
Q glance at the foot of an oak or hickory nut
tree will show on what they are ''workIng,"i e.
feeding. as there will be number of shells and
half-chewed nuts at the foot, and wherever the
workings are, in those trees will be found
the most squirrels.
The peculiar drum or bark of a squirrel is
very difficult to locate unless one is in good
practice, for it seems to come from all direc-
tons II will help locate the sound to stop
the left ear with the finger. The two great
principles of success in squirrel shooting are
first, singleness and quickness of movement
DO not move even finger until intending
to fire, and then with one motion pull up the
gun and shoot. If not good shot take an I'M
loaded gun and practice getting the hang Of it;
walk around, suddenly fix your eyes upon an
object, pull the gun mp quickly. with both eyes
open, and it will be found that the muzzle win
fairly cover the object.
HARD TO KILL.
Small as these animals are, it must be re-
membered that they have to be hard hit to kill
them and that light charge is of no earthly use
In a twelve-bore gun at least 81 drains of
black powder. or its equivalent in wood
powder, should be used / have found IL
ounces Of No. chilled shot the best load.
Now, a. to cooking a squirrel. Old hunters
unhesitatingly declare them to be fine eating
but the average dweller in cities who has been
favored with ''mess o. squirls' will declare
them tough and good for nothing. So they are
II not properly cooked. The squirrel should be
AHMED, cleaned and well washed, and then
placed in q steamer for at least an hour and
afterward roasted or broiled in the ordinary
way, when it will be found delicious IT, how
ever, the hunter would like to try true squirrel
hunters cooking, let him take his squirrel as
soon shot and bleed him by opening the
throat When ready for cooking let a large
fire of small twigs be built so as TO get a lot Of
ashes. SINCE all the hair off the body, open it,
wash and clean it, then sew il or skewer up the
earth paste, made Of clay and water. Put this