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AUSTIN, Texas -- For a lot of hunters, the allure began with squirrels. A glimpse of rusty brown and gray spiraling up a big red oak or
an erratic rustling of leaves followed by the unmistakable crack of an acorn
shell. Squirrel hunting brands lifelong imprints into a hunter^s senses.
This fall has the potential to rekindle squirrel hunting memories,
or create new ones, even though Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) biologists
suggest the upcoming squirrel hunting season for most of East Texas will be
average at best.
"We^re probably never going to see hunting like it once was when
hunters had access to a vast acreage of mature hardwood forests," explained
Jasper-based TPW biologist Clayton Wolf. "Much of the mature hardwood and
hardwood-pine forests have been converted to pine, but in areas that still have hardwoods, hunters should be able to find enough squirrels for a few
enjoyable hunts."
Research over the years has confirmed what most squirrel hunters
have known from field experience: more acorns mean more squirrels. "Last
year^s acorn crop was pretty poor," Wolf says, "and historical data has
shown us that when we have a poor acorn crop, the squirrel harvest will be
down the following year." Acorns or not, it would be difficult to surpass
last year^s estimated squirrel harvest of almost 544,000, highest since
1994. However, TPW mast surveys indicate that the acorn crop for this fall should be much improved, meaning more squirrels next year.
While their ranks may be less than half what they were 20 years ago, the 100,000 who make up Texas^ squirrel-hunting population remain ardent.
Last year^s 88 percent success rate among squirrel hunters surveyed was the
highest on record.
TPW manages over 800,000 acres in East Texas, available for squirrel
hunting through the agency^s Public Hunting Lands program. With a $40
Annual Public Hunting Permit, which may be purchased wherever hunting
licenses are sold, hunters can access these areas during designated seasons.
Youth under 17 years of age are not required to purchase the permit, but
must have a $6 Special Resident Hunting License and be accompanied by a
permitted adult.
"Even if you don^t have access to prime squirrel habitat on private
land, squirrel hunters in East Texas can find ample opportunities on public
land," Wolf said. "Most of the national forest areas and the wildlife
management areas managed by Parks and Wildlife in East Texas offer quality
squirrel hunting."
New this fall is a youth-only squirrel-hunting weekend Sept. 25-26 in
counties that have a restricted squirrel season. Only youth under the age of 17 may hunt during this season, however certain Public Hunting Lands in
East Texas also have a youth/adult squirrel season on the same weekend.
Areas open to youth/adult squirrel hunting this weekend include:
Alabama Creek WMA: Trinity County
Alazan Bayou WMA: Nacogdoches County
Bannister WMA: San Augustine County
Big Lake Bottom WMA: Anderson County
Gus Engeling WMA: Anderson County
Caddo National Grasslands: Sabine County Angelina Neches Dam B WMA: Jasper and Tyler Counties
Pat Mayes WMA: Lamar County
Moore Plantation: Sabine and Jasper Counties North Toledo Bend WMA: Shelby County Sam Houston National Forest WMA: Walker, Montgomery and San Jacinto
Counties White Oak Creek WMA: Bowie, Cass, Morris and Titus Counties
Most of the numbered public hunting units in the eastern portion of the
state. Consult the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet that comes with the
permit for area specific regulations or call TPW at (800) 792-1112.
There are two species of squirrel in East Texas - the gray squirrel
(or cat squirrel) and the fox squirrel. The fox squirrel has the widest range and can be found along creek and river bottoms throughout much of Texas. Ideal fox squirrel habitat in East Texas is mature mixed pine and
hardwood forests.
Cat squirrels are limited to the eastern portion of Texas and can be
found in abundance in mature stands of hardwoods. They tend to be early
risers, so hunters working the bottoms for cat squirrels should plan on
getting afield early to catch the cat squirrels in action. Fox squirrels,
on the other hand, tend to forage later in the mornings. And, according to
Wolf, you don^t necessarily have to be in prime bottomland hardwoods to get
in the squirrels. Although squirrels do the best in habitats dominated by
mature hardwoods, squirrels can exist in a variety of wooded habitats. This
means even an enjoyable day in the woods may be a close as your neighbor^s
woodlot, with their permission of course.
During the first month or so of squirrel season while the leaves are
still on the trees, most hunters prefer to use shotguns loaded with No. 6 or
No. 4 shot, but the serious hunter may opt for a .22 rimfire rifle.
"Unlike hunting many other game species, which require a higher
level of patience and skill, squirrel hunting success can be achieved at a
casual pace," said Wolf. "That^s what makes it an ideal pursuit for young
people and newcomers to hunting. It^s a great way to pass along the hunting
tradition."
Squirrel season runs through Jan. 15 in most counties having a squirrel season, and the daily bag limit is 10. Refer to hunting regulations in the 1999-2000 TPW Outdoor Annual for specific bag limits and season dates for squirrel hunting in your area.
Uploaded: 9/22/1999
Uploaded: 9/22/1999