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By JOHN WISSE
ODNR, Division of Wildlife
There are no special hunting tips associated with a squirrel season that opens nearly three weeks earlier than usual, say state wildlife biologists. Ohio’s squirrel season, which in past years has opened on the Thursday following Labor Day, begins Saturday (August 19).
"Leaves will be on the trees and ground vegetation will be thick, just like when the season opened in early September in past years," said Dave Swanson, supervisor of the Division of Wildlife’s Waterloo Research Station in New Marshfield. "Warbles are most prevalent on squirrels from September through early October, so the early season opener this week should not affect the percentage of harvested squirrels with warbles."
Warbles are the larval stage of the botfly and generally affect populations of rodents and rabbits. They are found under the skin around the neck and legs and eventually emerge after development. Warbles affect only a small percentage of Ohio’s squirrel population and generally are not present after mid-October.
"Squirrels with warbles are fine to eat and should not be discarded. Warbles come off with the skin and do not affect the meat in any way," said Swanson.
The Division of Wildlife established the earlier opening date of squirrel hunting season to expand hunting opportunities. The estimated number of squirrel hunters in Ohio has declined about 30 percent and total squirrel hunting trips have declined more than 15 percent since the early 1980s. The amount of prime squirrel habitat in Ohio, stands of oak and hickory trees, has remain little changed since the late 1970s.
"Under our traditional opening day in early September, over 60 percent of the squirrel harvest and 55 percent of the hunting pressure occurred in September. Basically, supply exceeded demand so we increased the hunting opportunity this year. This early opener allows people to use their old hunting license a few more times before it expires August 31 and gives kids a chance to hunt squirrels before they go back to school," said Swanson.
The new 2000-2001 hunting license goes on sale this week and is valid through August 31, 2001. Last season’s hunting license remains valid through August 31 of this year. Persons who hunt on property they or their parents own are not required to have a hunting license. Those who are age 15 and under must purchase a resident youth hunting license for $8 and persons age 66 and older may obtain a free hunting license from any hunting license vendor.
Hunting squirrels in August should be no different that hunting them in September. However, recreational users of the forest such as hikers, campers, and others will have to share the woods with squirrel hunters during the last part of August and over the Labor Day weekend.
Hunters may take a limit of four squirrels and hunt daily from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The squirrel hunting season remains open through January 31, except during the one-week deer gun season that begins November 27.
The Division of Wildlife says hunters can expect to enjoy another successful squirrel hunting season this fall and one that is similar to last year. The statewide squirrel harvest index last year remained above the 1998 and long-term averages.
Uploaded: 8/16/2000
Uploaded: 8/16/2000