Early Season Squirreling Around
As time moves through September, we are starting reach the end of the antler growth season. We can start scouting hard and taking inventory of our target deer on our Moultrie cameras, hanging early season stands, trimming shooting lanes, and baiting, where legal. Early season doesn’t just have to revolve around deer season though.
September here in Ohio is an eventful month, as squirrel season opens September 1st, dove season, early goose season and teal season are also valid options for some early season fun. We are going to focus on squirrel for this article.
Getting the kids out to shoot some squirrel is always a great time. Scouting for deer season while squirrel hunting is also highly recommended. You don’t have to be so strict with your scent control for squirrel, nor as quiet. There will be plenty of time passed between now and the bow opener for the deer to settle back into normalcy. This provides more opportunity for memories to be made as you can chat, playfully joke around, and take selfies to remember the day. Squirrel is one of those game animals that are very tasty, though you need quite a few to feed the family. Look into the bag limits in your area as they vary from state to state. Ohio, the daily bag limit is 6.
If you have some nut trees such as oaks, chestnuts, or walnuts, then I recommend sitting near those and waiting to see the rustling of leaves. Squirrels will jump from limb to limb and make quite the ruckus. A low gauge shotgun such as a .410 or 28 gauge will be perfect early season for shooting into the vegetation. A .22 can be effective as well, especially if they are on the ground, or the trunk of a big tree.
Still hunting is another effective technique. Walking 10-20 yards at a time then stand still and wait for 15-20 minutes. Be observant, and watch the canopy, distant openings, and tree trunks. Try sitting at the base of a tree or a fallen log when you stop. This will make it a bit more comfortable for you, and provide that photo op for you and your hunting partner. It usually doesn’t take long to see some of our bushy tailed cuisine running around.
Preparing and cooking the meal together can also be a fun way to spend some quality time together. You make more memories, and teach the children a valuable lesson in the art of cuisine. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old, they will not depart from it.”. Teach them that the everyday things like preparing supper can be enjoyable, and one day they will look back and realize preparing some squirrel that you harvested together was a more meaningful memory than that trip to Disney.
Created Outdoors Staff Member Tony Fall
While there are a ton of delicious recipes for squirrel, here is a classic anyone can enjoy. The flour can be substituted for gluten free flour as well.
Buttermilk Fried Squirrel
Ingredients
3-4 Skinned and Quartered Squirrels
Buttermilk
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb
2.5 Tablespoons Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
2 Cups Milk (for the Gravy)
Marinate your squirrels in buttermilk overnight. Mix flour, salt, pepper, Garlic and Herb, and Cajun seasoning in a large ziploc bag or tupperware. Remove 3 tablespoons of seasoned flour to use later to make the gravy. Remove squirrels from buttermilk and drop them into flour bag or tupperware. Shake until meat is evenly coated.
Heat half an inch of your favorite oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Fry each side of the squirrel for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned with the lid on the pan. Once the meat is brown and cooked, place them on a cooling rack to drain until you make the gravy.
Pour out all but 3 tablespoons of the oil from the pan. Make sure you leave the crusted seasoning stuck on the bottom of the pan. This gives more flavor to the gravy. Add the 3 tablespoons of seasoned flour and stir until lightly browned. Slowly add milk and continue to mix. Stir until the gravy has thickened. Then combine, say grace, and feast!
Now, when the season opens, gather the kids, get into the woods and harvest some squirrel. Maybe even invite someone new to share your hunt and your table. Share the story of the trip together, and thank the Lord for the blessing of the meal provided. Until next time, hunt hard, pray harder.
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Writen by,
Evan Gersper Created Outdoors