Nebraskaland

sit for 20-30 minutes. If there is no activity, move to the next food area after glassing with binoculars. Even if you are in a patch of woods for the first time, use this slow approach technique – listening for squirrel chatter, small limbs snapping or the sound of an animal on the ground – and be quick to stop if a squirrel is spotted. Keep those sounds in your memory to use for later hunts. There's a good chance that the squirrel is not near a nest, so be patient and wait for the squirrel to reappear and offer a safe shot. During the early part of the season, in August and September, use a squirrel call that sounds like a juvenile in distress. You can also bark with that same call in an attempt to draw out curious squirrels, especially yearlings. Or, while holding two quarters, tap the edge of one on the flat part of the other, and then rub the edges of the quarters together to mimic a squirrel cutting, or feeding. Making small rustling movements in leaves with your hands or feet may also attract curious squirrels. Throughout the season, hunting after a rain or snowstorm is a must – especially if it's a sunny day – because squirrels will come out to forage and feed. As the season draws into late fall, look for waste grain near tree lines. Regardless of when you hunt, it will be fun. Some of our fondest memories in the woods come from our first days afield as well as times we've hunted as adults – alone with an animal that deserves much more company from hunters. ■ Squirrel hunting season opens Aug. 1, 2015 through Jan. 31, 2016. Squirrel Dogs are a Squirrel Hunter's Best Friend The first time I saw a squirrel hunting dog, I was with a colleague in northwestern Tennessee. Because of my colleague's past missteps afield, I was doubtful early on about that morning's squirrel hunting plan. But my confidence quickly increased as his dog was released from the truck and was, within five minutes, barking uncontrollably against a large red oak tree. But there was no squirrel there, and my hope quickly left. "No, the squirrel's there," my friend said. "We just haven't found him yet. He'll stretch his body fully out against the bark and won't move until we're gone." Yet I still didn't see him … until … I did see him. Just as my partner said, the fox squirrel had pinned himself against the tree's trunk. One shot from me and the squirrel thudded to the ground. I became a believer. Hunting with a squirrel dog is thrilling, and there are multiple sites on the web dedicated to this sport which gets a lot more attention throughout more eastern and southern states. A good start to your research would be Squirrel Dog Basics by David A. Osborn. -JK had p tree' and grou H thr sit th at e A w Hunting with a squirrel dog is an exciting alternative to traditional squirrel hunting methods. Full camouflage is strongly advised when squirrel hunting, especially when working in open country where visibility is high. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KINTZ ll rustling n leaves nds ut a rain or AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 55

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