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Sciurus carolinensis
Overview:
The Squirrel is a rodent or gnawing animal. Squirrels live in both North America and Europe. Squirrels are usually graceful, quick, and active animals as well. They have been know to run as fast as 15 Mph for short distances. They have a rather slender body and a long bushy tail which is the Squirrels trademark!
Red Squirrel:
Red Squirrels are the most common of all the American Squirrels. The Red Squirrel is a very active creature. It usually can grow up to as much as 2 pounds and usually resides in hollow tree trunks or a nest of twigs. 3 or 4 young are born in a litter in the spring, and sometimes during other seasons of the year as well. Nuts and grains are it's favorite food, but it will also eat birds' eggs, insects, and fruits. The Red Squirrel makes a loud '' chatter'' from it's perch on tree tops and usually prefers feeding in the evening. The Red Squirrel is hunted for food and is a great table teaser.
Gray Squirrel:
Like the Red Squirrel, the Gray Squirrel is a common Squirrel. It does all of the same things the Red Squirrel does and is found frequently in parks and in backyards more than any other Squirrel.
Fox Squirrel:
Fox Squirrels are a large Squirrel. They can grow as much or more than 5 pounds. Their colors vary. Some are jet black, oyhers reddish gray, and the colors of others vary between shades. Fox Squirrels are not as active or agile as red and gray Squirrels and are harder to find than those two. They are also the most prefered Squirrel to hunt!
Things to Know:
Hunting Squirrel can have constant action and a good tasty treat for the reward. To be successful you need to be sure you are quiet and have the right game load. Anything other than small game load can rip a Squirrel apart and ruin the meat. I like to use my 20 Gauge for Squirrel hunting just as I do for Dove hunting. I usually find me a oak bottom, hunt off of rivers, and look for nest and Acorns. Never shoot into a nest because there are a chance or young being in there. Squirrels are just about everywhere there are trees so locating them is not a problem, anywhere there are trees, there are squirrels. You can also use dogs to hunt them as well as calls. Practice makes perfect, be safe and good hunting.
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