Pennsylvania Game News - August 2011 - 21

Brunswick Barbeque
By Jeffrey P. Monaco
rustling in the treetops alerted me to the presence of squirrels. there were two traveling together, as they sometimes do. Most trees had changed their leaves, but not yet dropped them, so i froze while trying to catch a glimpse of my quarry through the foliage above. Finally, they leaped onto an old, dying walnut tree that had already lost most of its leaves and sat nearly side by side. You don’t often get a chance to double on squirrels, and i had to decide quickly what to do. i opted for the less-risky approach and shot the nearer one, following its fall downward to be ready if a follow-up shot was necessary. it wasn’t, but the squirrel’s buddy by then was well out of range and moving fast. thing is, had i tried and succeeded in a double, there was no one around to brag to. Few people hunt squirrels anymore. it’s a good thing for me, as there is almost no competition. it’s not so good for hunting in general. the game Commission says that squirrels are an “underutilized” resource, but “practically ignored” is closer to the mark. On this particular day, a sunny October afternoon, i had the woods to myself. October is the best time to be hunting, in my opinion. it’s generally cool enough that insects are not a problem, but warm enough to be comfortable. it’s sunny more often than not, and the leaves have mostly changed but are still on trees, so it’s still vibrant. And the aromas. Each month has it scents; October’s are superb. the air has a fine, comforting, earthy smell that is soothing and welcoming. Fall-flowering plants and fruits add a subtle yet complex
August 2011

overtone to the basic aromas. it’s just a great time to be out and about. this day, all of it was mine alone. Why aren’t more hunters enjoying this opportunity? let’s agree that rabbits and pheasants are a more difficult challenge now than in years past. Changes in farming methods, farm locations and aging forests have all had their negative impact on these species. it’s not the same for squirrels. A recent article mentioned access and time as some of the reasons for the decline in small game hunting. let’s look at both of these and see how they relate to squirrels. is access really an issue? You can leave downtown Pittsburgh going in any direction and be in good squirrel woods in under an hour. some of these woods are on public land, including the location mentioned in the beginning of this article. rural areas have it even better. let’s rule out access as a problem. is time an issue? squirrel hunting does not require hours of practice, like that needed for archery deer hunting. trekking deep into the woods is not necessary, either, although you can go deep if you want. there are no trophy squirrels hiding in inaccessible places. You can begin hunting within 25 yards of your car. You can hunt after work or school for a couple of hours with a good chance of doing well. squirrel hunting is one of the least timeintensive kinds of hunting there is.
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Pennsylvania Game News - August 2011

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