Pennsylvania Game News - September 2022 - 15

Cover Painting by Melissa gayMan ball
With bright green leaves still holding fast in the forest, it can be
tough to see squirrels in the treetops - even a big, colorful pair like
that depicted on this month's cover, " Shagbark Bushytails. " A limited
edition of 150 signed-and-numbered giclee prints are available
from the artist. Each 8- by 10-inch print costs $55 unframed, or $125
framed, shipping included. Please add PA sales tax if needed. For
more information, contact Melissa Ball at melissaballart@msn.com,
or visit her website, www.turkeytails.com.
sons might have on the different species, "
Boyd said. " Fox squirrel reproductive
periods start earlier, take longer, and result
in fewer young than we'd expect from
the other two squirrel species. So far it's
apparent that most squirrel hunters harvest
gray squirrels (85% of squirrels reported
as harvested on diaries are gray, 10% fox
squirrels, 5% red squirrels), but we are
getting a better understanding of where
fox and red squirrels are harvested and
how that varies across WMUs, " she added.
SEPTEMBER STRATEGY
Temperatures usually are hot in midSeptember.
Conditions are most favorable
in the early mornings and late afternoons
into evenings, and hunting then can be
more productive, too. On September
squirrel hunts, I've learned to use my ears
as much as my eyes to locate bushytails
because the leafed-out trees make spying
squirrels difficult.
In York and Adams counties, where
I hunt most often, squirrels usually are
feeding on hickory nuts in September, so
I concentrate my efforts in those areas.
I'll stand in view of several hickories and
listen for the swishing of limbs caused by
moving squirrels, or the pitter-patter of
falling pieces of hickory nut shells. Also,
water sources such as stream bottoms
near hardwoods can be squirrel-hunting
SEPTEMBER 2022
hotspots, especially in hot weather.
I bag only grays where I usually hunt,
but on my to-do list is returning to Greene
County in the early season to hunt big
fox squirrels in areas where I grew up
hunting them.
Most of the fox squirrel harvest is
coming from WMUs in the Northwest,
Southwest and Southcentral regions.
Dressing for success during the September
squirrel season means lighter
cotton clothing. I wear green camouflage
pants and a long-sleeve shirt, lighter
leather boots, and, of course, an orange
vest and cap. If conditions are right, I'll
still-hunt from one patch of productive
nut-bearing trees to another to set-up,
especially after harvesting a squirrel or
two, so dressing lighter will be much
more comfortable for moving. Be sure to
wear tick repellent and take precautions
to protect yourself from these pests that
can be a real problem at this time of year.
Binoculars, a squirrel call, water, and
snacks round out the gear I carry in a fanny
pack or in the back of my vest.
FIREARM CHOICE
I enjoy hunting squirrels during
November and in the winter with a .22
rimfire rifle, and in recent seasons, a
.22 air rifle. But in the thick September
woods, I'll opt for one of my shotguns.
15
http://www.turkeytails.com
Pennsylvania Game News - September 2022

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