cutover corn and bean fields in open
view of predators. They will also eat
a variety of mast as well as seasonal
foods, including flowers, insects and
seeds.
The eastern gray squirrel is probably
the most common tree squirrel in
North America, typically found in
the dense, unbroken hardwood tracts
along the Missouri River in eastern
Nebraska. In this state, the gray
squirrel's habitat is extremely small, as
fragmentation away from the Missouri
has caused this squirrel's range to
decrease.
Their silver-gray color matches the
bark of beech, maple and hickory trees,
and they are mast eaters, consuming
various nuts, including white oak
acorns and beechnuts, and burying
more for later – thus proliferating the
forest where they live.
Undergraduate Hunting
A first hunt of any species should
be filled with excitement, wonder and
simplicity. Hunting squirrels should
be no different. Because they're tree
Squirrel calls are
used to mimic
young squirrels as
the hunter attempts
to coerce adult
squirrels into
openings for
a clear shot.
Eastern gray squirrels in Nebraska are found along the Missouri River corridor at
areas like Indian Cave State Park near Shubert.
Eastern fox squirrels, while typically red, can also show color variations, including
patches of gray, white and black.
52 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
PHOTO
BY
JON
FARRAR
