In Quest of a Limit

I have hunted squirrels for over half a century and over those scores of seasons, I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve brought home a limit. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I did. I’ve hunted squirrels a long time and have taken my share to the point that bagging a limit would be nice but not necessary. I just enjoy the experience. Period.

I found something I had written 20 or so years ago about one Saturday when squirrel season began under less than ideal conditions. The thermometer read 70 degrees before dawn when I left home for the camp. Crawling in my truck for the drive to the spot I’d chosen to hunt, my windshield wipers slapped away a light but steady rain. Warm weather coupled with rain does not bode well for successful squirrel hunting. Oh, one other thing; when I checked in my hunting vest at the camp, I found I had only 10 shotgun shells.

Feeling I was working under a handicap, I resolved to just enjoy the hunt but to do something my dad had drilled me on as a young hunter. “Make every shot count,” he had told me time and time again. My goal was to use my ammo supply conservatively; one shot; one squirrel.

The soft rain turned out to be a blessing. It stopped after an hour, just long enough to soften the leaves on the ground, making it easy to stalk. Around 7:00 that morning, the first squirrel stopped long enough for me to drop him. One shot; one squirrel; nine shotgun shells left.

Twenty minutes later, the second squirrel was cooling in my hunting vest; two shots; two squirrels; eight shells left. By the time I’d reached the end of the woods I’d planned to hunt, I had bagged two more, each with one shot. That was four-for-four and I was feeling good. Had I not seen another squirrel, this would have been a successful hunt.

On my return trip to the truck, I made a loop so as not to cover the same ground I’d just hunted. I’d moved fifty yards or so when I saw a squirrel move in a beech. As I began stalking the squirrel, I saw another in the beech; then another and incredibly, another. Four squirrels were whacking away at beech mast in the same tree.

I did a quick bit of ciphering. I had four squirrels in the bag. Up there in that beech was the rest of my limit. Truth to tell, I got a little excited at the prospects. One of the squirrels presented himself and BOOM…he was on the ground. There went another one and…BOOM, he tumbled out. Then the third squirrel ran up a limb and stopped, offering me a clean shot. BOOM, and he’s down.

Now, I’m really excited. I have pulled the trigger seven times and had seven in the bag and there’s number eight up there overhead. My dad would have been proud.
Standing quietly for a few minutes, I watched as my “limit” squirrel resumed feeding. What are my chances of this, I ponder? I’m on the verge of bagging a limit of eight squirrels with eight shots.

It was something like a major league pitcher working on a perfect game. He’s down to the bottom of the ninth; two out. Here’s the wind-up; the pitch…..and the batter bloops a single into left field. Game won but perfect game spoiled.

I rushed the shot and the squirrel scampered away. Dang! I sat awhile, pondering what almost was, concluding that it had been a fine hunt anyhow and I would be content to drive into camp with seven squirrels.

I could see my truck 100 yards away, and would you believe it…one more squirrel decided to make a move and I rolled him. That’s my limit of eight squirrels with nine shots.

Not a perfect performance but I felt good, sensing that somewhere up there, my old dad was smiling. “Way to go son,” I imagined him saying. “Not perfect….but not bad.”

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs around the deeper tops. Bass are best fishing topwater lures and buzz baits early around the grass lines. Later, best fishing has been on secondary points on soft plastics and crank baits. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – No report. Spraying to kill moss. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Pressure from lots of fishing because of D’Arbonne and the river being down. Bass fishing is best flipping soft plastics along the wind rows and tree lines. Early mornings, topwater lures are working. Crappie are still hitting shiners and jigs around deep brush along the flats. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is up just a bit. Launching is possible at Joe Bob’s but it’s difficult. A few crappie are being caught around tops in the river. Bass are fair where there is current. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is down 5 feet with drawdown continued another 30 days. Crappie are still scattered and not bunched up just yet. Some are caught along the stump lines on shiners and jigs. Bass fishing has been best fishing the points with soft plastics or crank baits. Bream are slow; catfishing good off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners or jigs around the deep tops. No report on stripers. With the water cooling down, bass will be best fishing the docks with Carolina rigs, square bill crank baits and Shaky Heads. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie have slightly improved around the boat slips. Catfishing is are good. Bass are fair. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising. Crappie and catfish are starting to bite. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.