Reflecting On My Last Squirrel Hunt
The morning of October 3, 2020, dawned cool, clear and calm, a perfect day to begin squirrel season. I rode my 4-wheeler to my favorite woods, parked it, and walked over to a log to sit and wait for daylight.
This is something I have done since I was a kid, being in the woods at first light on opening day of squirrel season. My dad ingrained in me my love for hunting squirrels when I was just a little tyke, following him, watching him, and learning how he did it so that a few years later, I could go out on my own.
This morning, five years ago, was different. Back and leg pain had gotten worse, limiting my mobility, but it was opening day, and I was determined to give it a go. Having already crossed the 80-year threshold a couple of years earlier meant I was experiencing what happens to most guys my age. I still had the want-to; it was the get-it-done thing that was superseding the desire to do as I had done opening day in previous years.
I watched the cool, clear dawn slowly transition into daylight and began scanning the acorn-laden oaks for movement that would indicate that squirrels were ready for breakfast.
As I sat and waited, I remembered opening day in times past when I would be watching the trees as daylight approached. I recalled that first shaking of an oak limb that indicated a squirrel was up and moving, how I would ease up, sneak quietly to within gun range of the feeding squirrel, waiting until it gave me a clear shot before drawing a bead and hitting the trigger.
If all went according to my plan, I’d watch the squirrel tumble to the ground and feel a real sense of pride – one squirrel spotted, one shot, and one cooling in my game bag.
After the woods quieted down, I’d watch the trees for more movement, and if I saw another on the move, the sequence would be repeated.
If not, I’d carefully and quietly pick my way through the woods to the next grove of hardwoods, keeping my eyes alert for movement and by the end of the hunt, I would hopefully have enough squirrels in my game bag for a squirrel mulligan or enough young ones for a squirrel fry that would beat anything Col. Sanders could do with his fried chicken.
A favorite thing was to go back to camp, clean the squirrels, select the younger ones to fry alongside a plate of Mary B’s biscuits and homemade gravy. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
On that morning five years ago, I soon spotted four squirrels moving in the oaks 150 or so yards away across a little drain. In order to get within shooting distance of them, I would have to ease down a slight hill using trees to cover my movements and cross the drain to get close enough.
I started my stalk to head in their direction, and after sneaking a few yards, I stopped and pondered what I would need to do to cover the distance, and I decided to do something I had never done in all my years of squirrel hunting. I turned around, slowly walked back to my 4-wheeler, and left the woods. I never went back.
My final squirrel hunt ended with getting to experience being in the cool, quiet woods one more time, seeing some squirrels, and facing the decision that this sport I love was something I cherished but simply could not do anymore.
I’m okay with that, as I have a storehouse of memories I can rely on when the weather cools down, as opening day in October rolls around.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are fair at night on soft plastics and dark colored crank baits. Some are caught early morning around the grass on topwater lures with Chatterbaits are picking up some nice ones. Crappie are best around submerged tops in 16-18 foot water with shiners and jigs taking some nice fish. Bream fishing has slowed down. 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.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The cool front slowed fishing down. Both bass and crappie have been on the slow side.. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is falling and is quite low because of lock and dam problems down stream. The Prairieon area has been best for bass fishing. A good many catfish are being caught and crappie fishing is best around submerged tops in the river and in the bayou. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are scattered and suspended with best catches made early mornings on topwaters in the shallows. Soft plastics and crank baits are working best later in deeper water. Crappie are suspended on the flats. Shiners and jigs are picking up some fishing 8 feet deep in 12-14 foot water. Bream are fair. Catfish are good fishing 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 fair on jigs and shiners suspended over deeper water. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting hit spinners and soft plastics in deeper water. Night fishing is fair around lighted piers and boat docks on soft plastics and crank baits. Bream are scattered. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish are good while bass and crappie are rather slow. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is falling with lots of catfish being caught. Bass and crappie are fair but the few crappie caught have been real slabs. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.