San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-07
TIPS ON SQUIRREL HUNTING.
The Little Animal Is Hard to Cap
ture, and His Ways of Escape
Are Numerous,

ture, and His Ways of Escape
Are Numerous.
AT this season of the year the ex-
perienced hunter knows that squirrels
are generally found among the
branches of hickory trees. The nuts
are soft and easily cut, and the kerr
mel affords such excellent food that
the squirrels are in fine condition
and flavor.
Perhaps the first thing to do on
entering wood in search of this
game, is to cast your eyes over the
ground as far as possible in all direc-
tions. This should be done while
standing, as the least motion on the
part of the animal may be seen much
better when standing than in motion.
Repeated stops tor this purpose are
advisable. Advance quietly and
cautiously, keeping both eyes and
) ears open. AS you proceed, look out
for hickory trees, and should you see
one, direct your steps to it, keeping a
watch on it particularly and on the
landscape generally.
The squirrel may often be seen
while yet long distance off. In
such case it is advisable to get be-
hind tree or some brush and APP
proach within gunshot if possible.
Should none be seen on the tree you
are nearing, you should go under it
and look at the cuttings. If they are
fresh, you may rest assured that a
squirrel is in the tree or near by. Re-
main perfectly quiet few minutes
and you will nearly always hear his
teeth grating on nut, or hear the
cuttings dropping through the
branches. Thus you can locate his
position on the tree, and by passing
from beneath you can see him seated
upon branch, tail curled over the
back, nut in paws, intent on his meal.
If the cuttings are dried and shriv-
eled, visit another tree as near by as
possible, and don't fail to examine
every tree in the forest. Sometimes
they cut off nut, carry it to tree
near by, run up among the branches !
and there cut it open for the ontents. |
have often found them on oaks or |
other trees near the hickory. This |
kind of hunting may be done success
fully without a dog, and if any should |
be used he should be good one. A |
good plan in hunting squirrels, is to
find commanding spot, where much |
of the surrounding country may be
readily observed, and lie down for a |
time to rest and also to watch for any |
motion on ground, log, stump, rock,
fence or tree. Hundreds OF times I |
have done this, and in a short time |
been rewarded by seeing a squirrel |
descending tree, or leap into view,
sometimes within gunshot, sometimes |
hundreds of yards away. Many times |
they are within few rods, and vet |
while you are moving they keep hid,
but when you are quiet short time |
they begin to move.
Two kinds of squirrels are found in
the eastern country at the present |
time. They are the common gray
and the fox. There is also a small |
red squirrel, of little worth. He is |
more Of nuisance than otherwise.
Experience teaches me that the best |
time to find the gray squirrel is early |
morning and late evening, and after
rains, when the sun shines out |
brightly. They are found usually in |
thicker woods than the fox squirrel. !
The best time to find the latter is |
from q. no. to p. M, and they usu- |
ally selectopen woods for their homes. |
They are very shrewd, and will re-
sort to many tricks to secrete them |
selves from the hunter. Should the |
hunter be alone they will often battle |
his endeavors to get shot by always |
keeping on the opposite side of the |
tree. Step ever so gently and he is |
always just out of your aim.
In this case have adopted two |
plans to intercept his tricks. First, |
secure good stone or club, and get |
a good place to shoot. Have your |
gun ready, and throw the missile be- |
yond the tree into some leaves or on |
the ground, or in tree, and the noise |
usually scares him to your side. |
Shoot instantly, for should he dis
cover the trick he disappears in a |
twinkling, and no repeated effort |
will succeed. Second, make two or
three circuits of the tree in regular |
order and time, not being very partl- !
cular about noise, then in twink |
ling, and with the stealth of the fox,
retrace your steps, and nine times
out of ten you will obtain a shot.
Should you wound squirrel give
him another charge speedily as pos
sible, for he is liable to seek shelter
in the hollow of some neighboring
tree. Squirrels are very fine in the
Fall for table use, if properly boiled
and fried.
Good Advice, Showing Result.
Edward Silyev (yhioapo oiyao taa