Squirrel Hunting 2016

It use ta was that August 15 was special each year.  That is the start of hunting season - Squirrel hunting opens in Indiana on August 15.  Back in the day, when I could, I would go out with Grandpa to the woods and sit hoping to catch us some squirrels.  When Grandpa was not available, I would go solo - sometimes before school started, but for sure on the week-ends.

Now it seems that life has gotten in the way of Squirrel season.  Yes, I do enjoy eating squirrels.  No, I do not enjoy cleaning them.  In fact I have stated before that I would rather clean two deer than one squirrel.

All that notwithstanding, RePhil and I took to the woods to try and find us some tree rats this past Tuesday night (Sept 20).  We both ended up working late and did not get out until about 6 pm.  Driving to the woods we saw two squirrels in town.  Now even though I had my suppressed .22 (yes, you can legally hunt with suppressors in Indiana) we decided NOT to shoot any squirrels in town.  We agreed that Tanner would have not hesitated to shoot them, but that would also have included about a case of beer first.

As we got out of the truck, the first thing we did was spray down with insect repellent.  Good thing too, as every step in the grass kicked up about a dozen blood suckers.  They were awful.  We walked the creek, and then up the ridge line.  We bumped a great blue heron out of the grass and back into the creek as we walked.  And it appears as though the word was out that we were coming, for there was not a lot of squirrel action anywhere.

Run for your lives, RePhil and Craig are in the woods!


It was warm, about 86 F and there was absolutely zero wind.  It was a pleasant evening, and if a squirrel were to move, the leaves would surely have revealed his location to us.

We did see one.  By the time we moved closer for a shot, it was either gone or in its nest for the evening.  We slowly walked back to the truck and had a refreshing cocktail.

We stopped and chatted with Jon Myers on the way back - and got home about 8:30 pm.  Mama had mowed half the yard and made us stroganoff for dinner.  Good night, eh?

RePhil walking up the ridge line looking for squirrels

Spider hanging across the trail.
Or it could be a giant alien spider space ship in the sky getting ready for an invasion!

Sun setting on Tuesday night, Sept 20, 2016, Clinton County Indiana

Back at the truck, away from the blood suckers, cooling down with some liquid 
refreshments from one of our hunting trip sponsors.  Thanks Modelo!



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